Proteomics bolsters endometriosis product with dual Aussie partnership

Proteomics International Laboratories has partnered with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital to push the clinical date for its PromarkerEndo early endometriosis testing.

Diagnostics trailblazer Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX: PIQ) has inked an expanded research deal with the University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital to pinpoint its attack on endometriosis through testing.

The move sharpens the focus on its PromarkerEndo blood test for endometriosis and sets its sights on a next-generation tissue-specific test.

The company says it is a clear step forward for tackling a chronic condition that impacts one in nine women and girls, with diagnosis often dragging out as much as seven years.

The dual-pronged collaboration builds on a four-year partnership, that will deliver fresh clinical validation for PromarkerEndo - a first-in-class blood test for endometriosis detection - while chasing a new test using tissue-specific biomarkers to pinpoint disease location—a breakthrough not thought possible via blood until now.

Both efforts slot neatly into Proteomics’ growing diagnostics arsenal that is being developed at its fresh new industrial-scale Perth-based laboratory.

The company says PromarkerEndo is already showing promise across studies with more than 900 participants, boasting high accuracy for identification.

The test uses protein biomarkers to deliver a universal “traffic light” risk score—low, moderate, high—making it a straightforward tool for doctors and patients.

With a planned Australian launch later this year, the deal adds roughly 300 new patient samples with detailed clinical data to cement the test’s global credibility.

Endometriosis is a brutal condition, where tissue like the uterus lining grows where it shouldn’t from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes and even in the lungs. Causing a mass of pelvic pain, excruciating periods and infertility.

It affects 190 million women worldwide, costing Australia alone $9.7 billion annually, with current diagnosis leaning on invasive surgeries like laparoscopies, with an average seven-year wait.

Proteomics says its testing offers a non-invasive alternative, slashing delays and easing patient burden.

“This is an important collaboration as we bring PromarkerEndo to market in the coming months. Endometriosis is a complicated disease which affects millions of women and girls globally, and it is essential that our results are validated in multiple studies to add to the body of data on the test’s accuracy.” Proteomics International managing director Dr. Richard Lipscombe

The second and newer arm of the deal dives into “peritoneal fluid”, which sits close to endometriotic lesions. This fluid is a goldmine for biomarkers not easily spotted in blood, offering a shot at a test that not only detects endometriosis but details where it may be lurking.

The agreement hands Proteomics exclusive rights to commercialise any new intellectual property, jointly owned with its partners, with an option for full ownership on hitting milestones.

The 10-year licence can extend another decade or match any new patent’s life.

Proteomics’ Promarker platform underpins its broader testing portfolio, including PromarkerD for diabetic kidney disease and PromarkerEso for oesophageal cancer.

With endometriosis a major unmet need in healthcare, Proteomics’ push could potentially reshape outcomes for millions. The company is eyeing a slice of the multibillion-dollar diagnostics market, with PromarkerEndo expected to land in Australian in a matter of months.

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