Abbott Laboratories (ABT) said Wednesday it launched SimpleScreen CRC blood test to screen average-risk adults 45 years and older for colorectal cancer.

The diagnostic tool, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, was developed by Freenome and is being offered as an alternative for patients who decline the Cologuard Plus stool-based screening method, the company said.

A clinical trial of over 48,000 adults showed the blood-based test demonstrated an 81.1% overall sensitivity for the disease, including a 90.4% specificity for advanced colorectal neoplasia, Abbott said.

SimpleScreen CRC is covered by Medicare and includes a support program to coordinate blood draws at home or through certain laboratories, the company said.