Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX:PIQ) has signed a research agreement with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital to collaborate to develop a non-invasive simple blood test for endometriosis.
The partnership aims to develop the world’s first blood test for the painful condition, which affects one in nine women and costs Australia $9.7 billion each year.
The collaboration aims to build on a Proteomics study that identified protein ‘fingerprints’ in the blood - known as biomarkers - that could be used to test for endometriosis.
“An area of great unmet medical need”
The key to the research is a world-leading endometriosis database of more than 900 women with endometriosis managed by the hospital, which will be used to validate the panel of biomarkers discovered by Proteomics.
Proteomics managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe said it was fantastic to be working with Australia’s leading endometriosis research team.
He added: “Endometriosis is an area of great unmet medical need.
“We’re excited to pair our PromarkerTM technology platform - which has already been used to develop the world’s first predictive diagnostic test for diabetic kidney disease - with the University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital’s exceptional clinical database and expertise in this field.
“It is exciting to think we could develop a world’s first blood test for diagnosing endometriosis.”
Agreement terms
Under the terms of the agreement, University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital will provide blood samples and the company will perform the sample analysis.
The collaboration consists of two phases: validation of existing biomarkers and subsequent discovery of new biomarkers.
The agreement is nonexclusive and parties will bear their own costs, with Proteomics further contributing a nominal fee to assist sample retrieval.
Proteomics will retain ownership of its background intellectual property (IP) and grants each other party a non-exclusive licence to use its background IP to carry out the research collaboration.
Newly created IP will be owned jointly by each party that contributes to its creation.