BCAL Diagnostics (ASX:BDX) has taken a significant step in expanding access to early cancer detection, announcing a broader national rollout of its Avantect blood tests for pancreatic and ovarian cancers.
The move brings these tests into selected pathology collection centres operated by Sonic Healthcare across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, while a new agreement with Healius Pathology Network extends availability nationwide
The expansion builds on the initial launch of the Avantect tests earlier in the year through the Sydney Breast Clinic. Clinicians across Australia can now order the tests through an established and widely accessible pathology network, making early detection tools more readily available to patients considered at elevated risk
Avantect is designed as a non-invasive blood test that analyses cell-free DNA to detect early signals of pancreatic and ovarian cancers. The latest version incorporates advances in genomic and epigenomic analysis alongside machine learning, offering clinicians deeper insights that can support earlier and more informed clinical decisions
BCAL chief executive Shane Ryan described the rollout as an important milestone, highlighting the company’s collaboration with leading pathology providers to accelerate access. He emphasised that earlier detection can significantly improve clinical outcomes by identifying cancers at stages when treatment options are more effective
The initiative also strengthens BCAL’s existing relationship with Sonic Healthcare and complements its broader portfolio of blood-based diagnostics, including its breast cancer test BREASTESTplus.