Nearly half of the Australian women BreastScreen is designed to reach do not take part. BCAL Diagnostics says a blood test could fill that gap.
BCAL's investor presentation to the MST Access Biotech and Healthcare webinar this month, led by chief executive Anne-Louise Arnett, describes a company that has changed fast. "In twelve months, BCAL has evolved from a single-product, NSW-focused business into a diversified national diagnostics platform," it says.
Citing the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, BCAL says 48 per cent of women aged 50 to 74 skip routine breast screening. "Most cancers are still found once symptoms appear, when treatment options are narrower and costlier," the presentation says.
Four tests are now on sale nationally. BREASTESTplus, a breast cancer rule-out test, costs $300. Avantect Pancreatic and Avantect Ovarian cost $1,495 each and target high-risk patients. Avantect Multi-cancer launched in September at $1,995 and signals where a cancer started.
The November launch of BREASTESTplus 2 shifts the breast test from ruling cancer out to screening for it, offering "Broader eligibility across women 30+ and all breast densities, at a $300 screening price point."
BCAL highlights the strength in distribution. "The infrastructure is the asset," the presentation says. Sonic Healthcare and Healius collect and test the blood. Referral forms sit inside Best Practice and Medical Director, which BCAL says reach about 97 per cent of GPs. A telehealth pathway through EarlyDetection.com.au serves rural and remote patients.
The pancreatic and ovarian tests earned $136,000 from 90 tests between January and June 2026. Over the same period, the company said its website drew 53,017 visits and 1,357 enquiries.
BCAL puts its Australian market at $1.8 billion, though it calls the figure an "Internal planning assumption only, not revenue guidance or a forecast."
Patients pay the full price for every test. BCAL has lodged an initial application with the Medical Services Advisory Committee for Avantect Pancreatic, which it licenses from ClearNote Health.
The company is also looking overseas. An agreement with Sonic Healthcare USA supports validation in the United States, and an 18.5 per cent stake in Genetic Signatures gives it exposure to a PCR platform.
