Melbourne firm Geneseq develops world-first blood test for skin cancer

A NEW technique for better ­detecting melanoma is being developed by a small firm in ­Melbourne and there are plans for a big clinical trial.

A WORLD-FIRST technique for better ­detecting melanoma is being developed by a small firm in ­Melbourne.

Geneseq Biosciences has ­received local and international attention for its non-invasive test and is preparing for a big clinical trial.

MELANOMA CANCER RATE DOWN FOR YOUNGER VICTORIANS

MELB DAD FIGHTING MELANOMA FOR SAKE OF HIS KIDS

WALKER’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT WAS ‘MIRACLE’ DRUG CAMPAIGN

City of Melbourne councillor Susan Riley and Geneseq founder Ryan Van Laar.

The start-up’s founder, Ryan Van Laar, said three Australians died each day from melanoma but screening guidelines were inconsistent, and one in six melanomas were initially misdiagnosed.

“We’re developing a test that looks for the genetic signal of melanoma in people’s blood,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Rather than trying to find melanoma by looking outside the body at the skin, we’re looking internally. It will be a test that people can order through their GP.”

The test, called Melaseq, ­detects micro-RNAs, or genetic markers, in the blood that are released by cancer cells. Mr Van Laar recently visited Japan as part of a City of Melbourne business mission to Asia, and had positive talks with hospitals about Melaseq’s potential.

“We’re now working with a couple of groups in Melbourne to do a large clinical trial of about 1000 patients,” he said.

Australia has among the world’s highest rates of skin cancer.

Cr Susan Riley, chair of the council’s small business, retail and hospitality portfolio, said melanoma was one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and Australia’s risk rate was high.

“Getting melanoma treated early is the key, and Geneseq have developed a test that ­detects the genetic fingerprints of melanoma in your blood — it’s a world first for Melbourne,” she said.

The city council helps start-ups through the missions and its small-business grants ­programs.

Global consultancy firm Start Up Genome has ranked Melbourne among the top cities for business start-ups, and the city has about 170 dedicated co-working spaces.

About 200 biotech firms are located in the innovation area around Melbourne University, which ranks ninth in the world for medicine and health.

Applications for the council’s new business grants program can be made from Monday at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au.

[e-mail]

@JMasanauskas