Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX: PIQ) has secured new intellectual property (IP) protection in Canada, after the country’s Patent Office granted a patent for its PromarkerEso blood test for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).
The patent strengthens the company’s commercialisation pathway in North America by supporting direct sales, partnerships, and future licensing opportunities.
With the Canadian grant, PromarkerEso patents now cover multiple jurisdictions including Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Europe and the USA.
The granted patent provides intellectual property protection in Canada until 17 November 2035 that covers PromarkerEso as a proprietary first-in-class blood test for the early diagnosis of EAC.
Proteomics International said the patent underpins its strategy to advance commercial rollout in North America while preserving optionality for future partnerships and licensing.
Addressing A Major Unmet Clinical Need
EAC – which is commonly caused by chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease – is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
Despite surveillance programs, up to 90% of cases are not detected until late stage, with median survival time less than one year.
Current gold-standard screening relies on specialist endoscopy—which is invasive, and uncomfortable for patients.
It is also expensive, costing US$2,750 per procedure in the US, limiting broad-based early detection.
The growing incidence of EAC highlights the urgent need for more efficient, accurate, and patient-friendly diagnostic pathways such as PromarkerEso.
PromarkerEso Clinical Performance
PromarkerEso uses biomarkers—‘fingerprints’ in the blood—to measure a person’s risk of having EAC, combining four key serum glycoproteins with patient clinical factors that it analyses through a proprietary algorithm to generate a simple 'traffic light' risk score for EAC, classifying individuals as low-, moderate-, or high-risk for the disease.
The test has demonstrated high accuracy in clinical studies for detecting EAC, including early-stage disease.
With patents now granted across key global markets, the company said PromarkerEso is well positioned for international commercial expansion.
The Canadian patent supports Proteomics International’s broader precision diagnostics strategy and reinforces its focus on diseases with significant unmet clinical need.
The company continues to progress PromarkerEso as part of its portfolio of proprietary diagnostic tests targeting major global health challenges.
