Proteomics International taps Healius network for national diagnostics rollout

Proteomics International Laboratories harnesses protein-based solutions for a new approach to health diagnoses.

Proteomics International Laboratories' share price surged as much as 50 per cent to 22.5 cents on heavy turnover in early trade today after striking a national distribution agreement with pathology heavyweight Healius Limited.

The ASX-listed diagnostics specialist has appointed Healius as its exclusive Australian pathology distribution partner for its Promarker portfolio, giving the company access to one of the country's largest healthcare networks with more than 2000 patient collection centres.

The three-year deal, which includes an option for a further three-year extension, establishes Proteomics' first national commercial distribution partnership and provides a ready-made pathway to market without the company having to build its own specimen collection network.

Under the arrangement, Proteomics will continue conducting all laboratory testing through its accredited facilities while retaining responsibility for clinical reporting, scientific support, quality systems and regulatory compliance.

We have established a scalable pathway to support the phased rollout of the Promarker portfolio across Australia.

Proteomics International Laboratories CEO David Morris

Healius will manage specimen collection, pathology distribution, referrer engagement and market access activities through its nationwide infrastructure.

The deal covers the company's Promarker portfolio, including PromarkerD for diabetic kidney disease risk prediction, PromarkerEso for assessing oesophageal cancer risk and PromarkerEndo, a blood test designed to assist in diagnosing endometriosis.

Management says the partnership delivers a scalable and capital-efficient model by combining Proteomics' testing capability with Healius' established relationships across general practice, specialist, hospital and healthcare networks.

This agreement provides a national distribution pathway for the Promarker portfolio and represents an important step in our commercialisation strategy. By partnering with Healius, we can leverage an established pathology network while maintaining responsibility for laboratory testing, reporting and clinical support.

Proteomics International Laboratories CEO David Morris

Implementation of the arrangement is already underway, including operational and IT integration, laboratory workflow development, clinician education programs, and commercial launch planning. A phased rollout is expected to kick off later this financial year.

While commercial terms remain confidential and revenue forecasts have not been disclosed, the agreement marks a major milestone in Proteomics' push to transform its years of clinical biomarker research into recurring commercial revenues.

The announcement also fits neatly with the company's broader strategic overhaul unveiled in an April quarterly report, where it flagged a strategy of pursuing distributor-partner business models.

Proteomics says it sees this model as a way to accelerate market adoption, improve capital efficiency and reduce execution risk as it transitions from a research-driven organisation to a commercially focused diagnostics company.

The company has also continued strengthening its intellectual property position. Earlier this month it secured a US patent for its PromarkerEndo technology, which uses proprietary protein biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis and guide treatment selection.

With a national distribution pathway now locked in, a growing patent portfolio and commercial rollout plans gathering momentum, Proteomics appears to be moving from development mode towards what could become a meaningful revenue-generating phase.

For a diagnostics company, getting tests into doctors' hands is often the hard part. With Healius now providing nationwide reach and collection infrastructure, Proteomics has found a powerful shortcut that should help accelerate adoption of its Promarker technology across Australia.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: office@bullsnbears.com.au