Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX:PIQ) has secured a key intellectual property milestone after being granted a Canadian patent for its PromarkerEso blood test, a first-in-class diagnostic designed to detect esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) at an early stage.
The patent strengthens the company’s commercialisation strategy in North America, supporting future direct sales, partnerships and licensing opportunities, while expanding PromarkerEso’s global patent coverage to include Canada alongside Australia, China, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States.
Patent protection underpins global commercial strategy
The newly granted patent, titled “Glycoprotein Biomarkers For Esophageal Adenocarcinoma And Barrett’s Esophagus And Uses Thereof” (Canadian Patent No. 2967869), provides intellectual property protection in Canada until 17 November 2035.
Proteomics International said the patent materially enhances the value proposition of PromarkerEso by securing exclusivity in a major healthcare market, reinforcing the company’s ability to pursue commercial rollout and strategic collaborations across North America.
With EAC incidence rising globally, particularly in Western populations, the company believes the test is well positioned to address a significant unmet diagnostic need.
Targeting a disease with high mortality and late diagnosis
Esophageal cancer represents a major global health challenge, ranking seventh in cancer-related mortality and eleventh in overall prevalence. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype and is frequently associated with chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Approximately 20% of people in the United States are estimated to have GERD, yet EAC is often asymptomatic in its early stages. As a result, around 90% of cases are not detected until late-stage disease, when treatment options are limited.
The five-year survival rate for EAC is less than 20%, with median survival time typically less than one year, highlighting the importance of early detection.
Limitations of current screening methods
The current gold standard for EAC screening involves specialist endoscopy, an invasive and costly procedure that can be uncomfortable for patients. In the United States, an endoscopy can cost around US$2,750, limiting its suitability as a broad screening tool.
Despite surveillance programs, the majority of EAC cases continue to evade early diagnosis, underscoring the need for a more accessible, patient-friendly diagnostic approach.
Proteomics International believes PromarkerEso has the potential to transform the screening landscape by enabling earlier, less invasive detection of EAC through a simple blood test.
Clinical studies demonstrate strong diagnostic performance
PromarkerEso has demonstrated high accuracy in clinical studies for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma, including early-stage disease, with results previously reported to the market in June and September 2025.
The test is designed to address a critical gap in current diagnostic pathways by identifying patients at risk earlier, improving treatment outcomes and reducing downstream healthcare costs associated with late-stage cancer management.
By facilitating earlier specialist referral, the company believes PromarkerEso could significantly improve survival outcomes for patients with EAC.
How PromarkerEso works
PromarkerEso is a first-in-class blood test that uses a panel of biomarkers to assess the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The test combines four serum glycoproteins—alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, complement C9 and plasma kallikrein—with patient clinical factors including age, sex and body mass index.
These inputs are analysed through a proprietary algorithm to generate a clear ‘traffic light’ risk score, classifying individuals as low, moderate or high risk of having EAC. Patients identified as high risk are advised to consult a gastroenterologist for further investigation.
Growing relevance as EAC incidence rises
Proteomics International noted that the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma continues to rise, potentially linked to Western dietary patterns and increasing rates of obesity and chronic reflux disease.
With GERD affecting a substantial proportion of the population and current diagnostic tools failing to detect most cases early, the company sees an urgent need for more efficient, accurate and scalable diagnostic solutions.
Next steps focused on commercial execution
With patent protection now secured in Canada, Proteomics International is positioned to advance PromarkerEso’s commercial rollout across multiple jurisdictions. The expanded intellectual property portfolio provides a foundation for regulatory engagement, market entry strategies and potential licensing agreements in key healthcare markets.
The Canadian patent represents another step toward establishing PromarkerEso as a globally protected diagnostic platform capable of delivering meaningful clinical and commercial impact in the fight against esophageal adenocarcinoma.