Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) has received a $500,000 grant from the Western Australian Government to accelerate the commercialisation of its Promarker Endo diagnostic test.
The company's test is a world-first blood test designed to detect endometriosis, including at its early stages.
The funding, awarded under the Innovation Seed Fund 2024–25 through the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, will support key commercialisation activities, including regulatory engagement, marketing, and partnership development.
Endometriosis affects one in nine women and girls worldwide, with diagnosis often taking an average of seven years. Currently, confirmation of the disease typically requires surgery through laparoscopy, an invasive and costly procedure that can cost patients several thousand dollars out of pocket. The total economic burden of endometriosis in Australia is estimated at $9.7 billion annually.
Proteomics International managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe said the grant recognises the urgency of improving diagnostic access for women affected by endometriosis.
“We’re delighted to receive this support from the WA Government to help drive the commercialisation of PromarkerEndo,” he said. “It highlights the importance of innovation in women’s health and strengthens our push to bring this much-needed diagnostic test to women around the world.”
Developed using the company’s proprietary Promarker technology, PromarkerEndo detects a unique panel of protein biomarkers in blood to identify the likelihood of endometriosis. In clinical studies involving 704 participants, the test achieved 83 per cent sensitivity and 95 per cent specificity, using a simple 'traffic light' risk score to indicate low, moderate, or high risk.
The company plans to launch PromarkerEndo in Australia in the second half of 2025, followed by international markets. The rollout will leverage commercial pathways established through its other Promarker diagnostic tests, including PromarkerD for diabetic kidney disease and PromarkerEso for oesophageal cancer, by combining clinical and digital direct-to-consumer channels.
Proteomics International is also advancing partnership discussions in key global markets, particularly in women’s health and fertility, and adapting its analytical methods for use under the ISO15189 clinical testing standard.
Dr Lipscombe said the introduction of a simple blood test for endometriosis could represent a “transformational shift” in women’s healthcare, offering faster, less invasive, and more accessible diagnosis for a condition that remains one of the most under-recognised in modern medicine. “With this support, we’re another step closer to ensuring women no longer have to wait years for answers,” he said.