Proteomics nears launch of groundbreaking muscle stress test

Proteomics International Laboratories’ 66 per cent-owned subsidiary OxiDx has picked up an Australian patent for its finger-prick technology to measure and monitor levels of oxidative muscle stress, which is linked to more than 70 diseases and the lion’s share of sports-related injuries.

The new copyright locks in the company’s intellectual property until 2039 and bolsters Proteomics’ global patent wallet, which already covers Europe, Japan and the United States. OxiDx has further filings pending in key Asian markets, including China, India and Singapore.

A Proteomics International Laboratories subsidiary has received an Australian patent for its finger-prick blood test that tracks muscle stress in athletes.

OxiDx is a simple and quick blood test that has already drawn interest from high-performance athletes and thoroughbred racing stables because of its ability to measure muscle damage from oxidative stress.

Groundbreaking results released in December put Proteomics International’s cutting-edge OxiDx test firmly on the map after a proof-of-concept trial successfully identified and tracked recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in elite marathon runners.

‘The OxiDx test is attracting wide-ranging interest.’

Proteomics International managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe

Proteomics has moved on to equine trials and has studies underway to see if the test can predict muscle damage in high-performance racehorses.

Proteomics International managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe said: “The OxiDx test is attracting wide-ranging interest - from sports shoe companies to horse trainers and we are looking forward to bringing it to market in the coming months.”

The commercial rollout of the human version of the OxiDx test is locked in for mid-year, with Australia to be the first out of the gates. Proteomics is also gearing up to launch the product into the lucrative US market soon after, leveraging its new reference laboratory in California to fast-track expansion.

Oxidative stress is caused by an overload of toxic oxidants - known as free radicals. It is a biological smoke alarm for a range of conditions from chronic illness to acute sports trauma. Proteomics’ smart technology zeroes in on this biomarker to detect protein oxidation using a drop of blood collected from an on-the-spot pin prick test.

Muscle injuries are often driven by oxidative stress. They account for up to 55 per cent of all sports injuries, which is estimated to cost Australians an eye-watering $1.2 billion a year. The numbers are no less staggering in the horse racing industry given a whopping 85 per cent of thoroughbreds pick up at least one injury in their first few years.

OxiDx is one of several blood tests Proteomics has in development or is launching into some potentially very lucrative health markets.

The company has also recently been busy launching its ground-breaking PromarkerD predictive diagnostic test in Australia and the United States, which provides an early warning signal for chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials show PromarkerD can predict the condition up to four years before it strikes, opening the door to earlier diagnosis and treatment for at-risk patients.

With more than 500 million diabetics worldwide, Proteomics International sees massive global potential for PromarkerD. The company aims to position the test as a serious contender to become the go-to diagnostic tool for kidney disease prevention.

With sports tech, equine health and broader clinical applications in its sights and patents locked in place for the long-haul, Proteomics’ OxiDx test could be galloping toward a sizeable slice of a billion-dollar diagnostics market.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: [e-mail]