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Proteomics International has just scored another key patent win as it ramps up efforts to detect the early signs of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), an aggressive form of throat cancer that’s often linked to chronic acid reflux.
The company announced the Canadian Patent Office has granted protection for its PromarkerEso blood test - a simple, non-invasive diagnostic technology that promises to catch the deadly disease much earlier than today’s more invasive endoscopic procedures.
Proteomics International has expanded IP protection for its innovative PromarkerEso blood test - a simple, non-invasive early diagnostic technology that could save countless lives.
EAC is a stealthy killer. It ranks as a top cause of cancer deaths globally and in places like the US, where around 20 per cent of adults battle chronic gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), many cases slip under the radar until later stages.
Survival odds plummet, with five-year rates currently below 20 per cent and many patients facing less than a year to live once diagnosed.
Current screening relies on uncomfortable, expensive endoscopies that can cost up to US$2750 (A$4100) for each examination, yet up to 90 per cent of cases still escape early detection.
Proteomics believes PromarkerEso will change the game. It’s a first-in-class blood test that spots telltale glycoprotein fingerprints in the blood, combined with other basic patient factors such as age, sex and body mass index (BMI).
The result comes back as a clear traffic-light style risk score – either low, moderate or high - flagging who needs specialist follow-up and the degree of urgency.
Clinical studies have shown strong accuracy for the test, including for early stages of the disease. The latest Canadian patent - valid to 2035 – has reinforced Proteomics’ intellectual property (IP) fortress, joining the company’s existing granted protections in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Europe and the US.
The extended IP protection represents a crucial step for commercial rollout in North America by opening doors to direct sales, partnerships and licensing deals in a massive market.