Proteomics teams with Oxford university for endometriosis study

ASX-listed Proteomics has joined forces with England’s revered Oxford University as the medtech continues to study its blood test for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

The company’s prototype “PromarkerEndo” blood test has previously correctly identified up to 90 per cent of patients with endometriosis from a study of more than 900 patients.

Management says it has now signed a material transfer agreement with the University of Oxford to acquire 600 clinical plasma samples to continue its study into its blood test to identify the debilitating disease.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory and often painful condition that impacts one in nine women and girls, affecting fertility and reducing participation in school, work and social activities. According to the Federal Government, research has also shown that one in two Australian women experience pelvic pain and half of those do not discuss their symptoms with a doctor despite significant impacts on work or study.

Proteomics says there are currently limited diagnostic tests available for endometriosis, with the gold standard for detection being through an invasive “laparoscopy” - a surgical procedure where a camera is inserted into the pelvis through a small cut in the abdominal wall. The average time it takes women and girls to be diagnosed in Australia is 7.5 years.

According to recent research, the disease costs the Australian economy as much as $9.7 billion a year, while the burden to the UK economy is £8.2 billion annually in treatment, loss of work and healthcare costs.

PromarkerEndo is a diagnostic blood test for endometriosis, which could provide early screening for women and girls presenting with symptoms of endometriosis. The simple test uses biomarkers – protein “fingerprints” in the blood – to screen for the disease. The company has identified a panel of biomarkers that change concentration as the severity of endometriosis increases, while analysis shows the biomarkers all relate to biological pathways that could be linked to the unwanted tissue growth that occurs in endometriosis.

Acquiring these international samples will allow us to verify the clinical performance of the PromarkerEndo test. It is fitting that we are able to make this announcement during Endometriosis Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness and highlight the challenges facing those with the disease, which includes difficulties in receiving a timely diagnosis.

Management says the Australian Government’s recent multi-million dollar initiative to establish nation-wide endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics highlight the significant need for improved care of women with the condition.

Proteomics believes an early screening test to definitively identify the need for invasive surgery would be a substantial step forward to assist in the identification and subsequent management of women and girls with endometriosis.

The patient samples acquired from the University of Oxford will be used for further clinical validation of the performance of its PromarkerEndo diagnostic models for detecting the disease.

While it is still early days for Proteomics and its endometriosis blood test, the assistance of one of the United Kingdom’s most highly regarded universities could be a substantial step forward for the company as it aims to develop a diagnosis for a condition that impacts women around the globe.

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