Cizzle Bio, Inc., a biotechnology company advancing innovative biomarker blood tests for early detection of lung and gastric cancers, announced today that its founder and CEO, Bill Behnke, has been recognized by CXO Outlook® magazine as “Most Inspiring Business Leader 2025.”Behnke is featured in the magazine's August issue for his leadership in advancing diagnostic technologies that have the potential to transform cancer care and save countless lives.
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“These technologies represent a turning point.” –Bill Behnke, Cizzle Bio CEO
With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare startups, policy, and clinical strategy, Behnke has built a career focused on bridging innovation and patient care. Cizzle Bio is preparing for the U.S. launch of its proprietary CIZ1B biomarker blood test, which identifies a unique protein variant strongly associated with early-stage lung cancer-the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and globally mainly due to late diagnoses. The CIZ1B blood test, licensed in North America and the Caribbean and developed from more than 20 years of research at the University of York, offers a highly accurate and cost-effective tool for early detection, when patients have the best chance for successful treatment.
The company is also advancing the near-term launch of DEX-G2, an exclusive, globally licensed biomarker blood test for the early detection of gastric cancer, developed by internationally renowned cancer researcher Ajay Goel, Ph.D., AGAF, at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. Gastric cancer is among the deadliest worldwide because it is typically diagnosed too late for effective treatment. In a multicenter clinical trial published July 30 in JAMA Surgery, DEX-G2 demonstrated exceptionally high sensitivity in detecting early-stage gastric cancer, providing a minimally invasive and cost-effective alternative to endoscopy.
“These technologies represent a turning point,” said Behnke. “We are addressing two high-burden cancers that claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year. By detecting them earlier through a simple biomarker blood test, we can change the trajectory of treatment and give patients and their families renewed hope.”
Behnke's recognition also reflects his broader commitment to patient advocacy. A longtime past board member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and current board member of the ASCO Foundation's Conquer Cancer®, he blends deep industry expertise with a personal dedication to advancing cancer care. His leadership philosophy centers on listening-to scientists, clinicians, patients, and families-and translating that insight into solutions that are clinically meaningful, operationally viable, and accessible to all.
An Urgent Need in Texas and Beyond
Lung and gastric cancers remain significant health challenges in Texas and across the nation. Lung cancer claims more than 124,000 lives in the United States each year, while gastric cancer remains one of the top global cancer killers. The burden is especially high in South Texas, where cancer is the leading cause of death among the predominantly Latino population, and rates of gastric cancer are significantly elevated compared to the national average. By bringing CIZ1B and DEX-G2 into clinical practice through partnerships with CLIA-certified laboratories and major cancer centers, Cizzle Bio, Inc., aims to expand access to life-saving diagnostics for communities throughout Texas and beyond.
The full CXO Outlook® feature, “Detecting Cancer Sooner to Save More Lives,” is available in the August 2025 issue at https://www.cxooutlook.com/detecting-cancer-sooner-to-save-more-lives/
About Cizzle Bio
Cizzle Bio is a Texas-based biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing cancer diagnostics by advancing biomarker-based blood tests, starting with early detection of lung and gastric cancers. Our goal is to empower patients, equip clinicians, and improve outcomes through innovation, compassion, and life-saving solutions. We hold exclusive licensing rights for our groundbreaking CIZ1B biomarker test in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean and a worldwide exclusive license for our DEX-G2 biomarker gastric cancer test. Cizzle Bio is commercializing both tests for U.S. clinical environments.www.cizzlebio.com
Media Contact:Yolanda Heibergeryolanda@cizzlebio.com
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