Navaux Inc., an early stage life sciences company in Little Rock, has merged with Stage I Diagnostics Inc. of Little Rock.

The merger will allow Navaux to address market needs for early detection, screening and monitoring of cancers as well as develop proprietary drug delivery and cancer therapeutic options, according to a news release.

The merged company said it is focused on providing “significant value-added products and services” in the prostate cancer space to clinicians, patients, payers, pharma and diagnostics companies.

Navaux also plans to expand the marketing and product development of Stage I Diagnostics’ technologies in the U.S. with an additional location in California.

Stage I Diagnostics was incubated at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and has been working to offer blood tests that can detect cancer in its earliest forms.