STAT+: FDA advisory panel endorses Grail blood test for cancer, saying benefits outweigh risks

The agency is not obliged to follow the advice of such panels, but it often does Grail Sept. 23, 2026 Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Wednesday endorsed Galleri, a blood test designed by the biotech firm Grail to screen for multiple types of cancer, concluding that the benefits of the test outweighed its risks. The panel voted 10 to 0 that it believed there is “reasonable assurance” the test is safe.The panel voted 6 to 4 that there was reasonable assurance the test is effective. And it voted 7 to 2 with one abstention that it believed “the benefits of Galleri outweigh the risk for use in patients who meet the criteria specified in the proposed indication.” The FDA is not obliged to follow the advice of these panels, but it often does. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils.