Haystack Oncology

Haystack Oncology is a molecular diagnostics company focused on highly sensitive, tumor-informed liquid biopsy testing for minimal residual disease detection in solid tumors. The company developed a circulating tumor DNA assay platform, including its proprietary Haystack Duo chemistry, to detect ultra-low levels of residual, recurrent, or resistant cancer after treatment. Originally launched in 2021 as a Johns Hopkins-founded oncology diagnostics startup, Haystack raised a $56 million Series A round to advance commercialization of its MRD technology. Quest Diagnostics agreed to acquire the company in April 2023 in an all-cash transaction, and the Haystack MRD test was subsequently integrated into Quest’s oncology testing portfolio. By late 2024, Quest had introduced a clinical laboratory-developed version of Haystack MRD, and in August 2025 the assay received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for use in stage II colorectal cancer following curative-intent surgery.