_{July 2024}

Two years ago, we embarked on a journey with GRAIL to promote early cancer detection in the U.S. life insurance industry. We were convinced that GRAIL’s Galleri^® multi-cancer early-detection test could advance our vision of helping life insurance policyholders live longer, healthier lives. During this time, Munich Re Life US and GRAIL have worked collaboratively to educate the life insurance industry on the science and benefit of multi-cancer early detection and enable carriers and distributors to offer tests to their eligible policyholders as a value-added service.

I’m happy to share that results to date have outpaced expectations. We’re currently active with 11 carriers and two distribution partners on live programs or pilots to offer the Galleri test on a post-issue basis to eligible individual or group policyholders. Carrier and distribution partners have reached more than 100,000 policyholders about multi-cancer early detection, more than 7,000 tests have been completed, and we know of over 50 cases where cancer was detected. Seventy-three percent of these positive signals, at an average patient age of 60, were for cancers with no current screening available today.

The test is potentially lifesaving. Just look at the case of Rich, whose cancer was detected many months before symptoms would likely have developed thanks to his advisor’s suggestion that he take Galleri’s simple blood draw test. Advisors play a key role in engaging with policyholders about the tests, and they value the opportunity to have such meaningful discussions with policyholders. As Rich’s advisor states in the video, “To have that kind of impact on someone’s life is amazing,” and I agree. This is a result the industry can be proud of and can expect to see more of as our Galleri test programs and pilots gain momentum.

The offering has changed how some carriers and distributors interact with their customers, and we are seeing an exciting trend of some companies building holistic health and wellness strategies to help policyholders live healthier lives. Our partners have received strong endorsements from policyholders and agents regarding their offerings, and have shared positive feedback:

GRAIL has continued its impressive growth and is making inroads into the life insurance, health system, clinic, and employer channels and furthering its work to demonstrate Galleri’s efficacy. Early results from clinical trials in the U.S. and the U.K. support the Galleri test’s ability in real-world settings to detect a cancer signal across multiple cancer types, including stage I and II cancers. Galleri can detect more than 50 types of cancer, at least 45 of which currently lack individual screening tests. This means Galleri can potentially transform the future of cancer detection, leading to early intervention and potentially improved outcomes. With cancer as the leading cause of death in the U.S. life-insured population, the impact could be significant. 

It’s been a rewarding two years for Munich Re and the companies that have joined us. For those of you who aren’t yet involved, we invite you to join our industry’s fight against cancer and explore how your organization can play a deeper role in policyholder lives. By paving the way for innovations like the Galleri test, we broaden the value that life insurance offers and support policyholders when we can make the greatest impact. We remain committed to this vision and ready to help advance it.