Proteomics International Accelerates Endometriosis Test Ahead of Australian Launch

Aiming to Transform Endometriosis Diagnosis

Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX – PIQ) has announced a significant expansion of its research collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH), a global leader in women’s health. This partnership focuses on advancing the PromarkerEndo blood test, a pioneering diagnostic tool designed to detect endometriosis early and non-invasively.

Endometriosis affects approximately one in nine women and girls of reproductive age worldwide, often causing chronic pain and infertility. Currently, diagnosis relies heavily on invasive surgery and can take an average of seven years, delaying treatment and increasing patient suffering. PromarkerEndo offers a blood-based alternative, detecting protein biomarkers linked to the disease, with validation studies involving over 900 individuals demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy.

Dual Focus – Validation and Innovation

The expanded collaboration has two key objectives. First, it will generate additional clinical validation data by analysing around 300 patient samples with detailed clinical information, strengthening the evidence base for PromarkerEndo’s accuracy and utility. This step is crucial for gaining broader acceptance among clinicians and healthcare systems globally.

Second, the partnership aims to develop a next-generation diagnostic test that is tissue-specific. By examining peritoneal fluid, which directly contacts endometriotic lesions, researchers hope to identify novel biomarkers that can pinpoint the disease’s location within the body; a breakthrough that could provide more tailored treatment options and deepen understanding of this complex condition.

Commercial and Clinical Implications

Proteomics International holds exclusive commercialisation rights to any new intellectual property arising from this collaboration, with a licence term of 10 years plus renewal options. The University of Melbourne and RWH will receive royalties from any resulting products, aligning incentives across research and commercialisation efforts.

Dr. Richard Lipscombe, Managing Director of Proteomics International, highlighted the importance of this collaboration as the company prepares to launch PromarkerEndo in Australia in the latter half of 2025. He emphasized the potential for precision medicine to provide accurate, early diagnoses that can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Professor Peter Rogers of the Royal Women’s Hospital added that a reliable blood test for early-stage endometriosis could transform clinical management by reducing diagnostic delays and enabling timely interventions.

Addressing a Global Health Challenge

The burden of endometriosis extends beyond individual health, with economic costs in Australia alone estimated at nearly $10 billion annually. A non-invasive, accessible diagnostic test like PromarkerEndo could alleviate this burden by streamlining diagnosis and reducing reliance on costly surgical procedures.

As the collaboration progresses, investors and the medical community will be watching closely for further clinical results and regulatory milestones that could pave the way for wider adoption of these innovative diagnostics.