Revolutionary, Australian developed, non-invasive MiCheck® prostate test launches
A revolutionary prostate cancer test developed in Australia aims to reduce the stress and anxiety experienced by an estimated 17,000 Australian men being tested for prostate cancer each year in Australia, while also reducing unnecessary burden on the health care system.
MiCheck® Prostate, a non-invasive prostate cancer test, will be available locally following the completion of validation testing and commercialisation requirements as part of a collaborative project led by Minomic International Limited and support from the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).
The revolutionary MiCheck® Prostate cancer test has been designed to fulfill an unmet need in the urology space through its world-first blood test-based method. The simple blood test will provide urologists with additional information to aid their clinical decision instead of relying on results from screening tests such as Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test which can return poor specificity (false positives) and poor sensitivity (false negatives).
Available via Douglas Hanley Moir (part of Sonic Health), MiCheck® Prostate was developed after extensive consultation and collaboration with a panel of Key Opinion Leader urologists in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Locally, the collaborative manufacturing project bought together researchers and industry to commercialise the MiCheck® Prostate test. The consortium achieved validation testing, incorporating the test into the existing pathology lab, logistics and testing workflow, and undertaking market research to engage with clinicians.
Dr Brad Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Minomic, said: “Delivery of MiCheck® Prostate to Australians in under 12-months was only possible with the support and guidance of outstanding project partners, including Douglass Hanley Moir and Macquarie University.
“The 12-month program would not have been possible without the considerable support of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre with its co-investment allowing us to bring to market a useful test for the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.”
Commercialisation of Minomic’s MiCheck® Prostate is expected to generate 11 new jobs within the company, while boosting the company’s revenues by $162 million over the coming five years. While also providing flow on opportunities within the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC said: “Minomic typifies the ever advancing Australian manufacturer: They have taken a great idea and turned it into a product that will improve patient outcomes both locally and globally.
“Minomic’s MiCheck® Prostate will provide clinicians with additional technology in prostate cancer decision making, and it could reduce the cost burden of invasive procedures on the health system, and save lives.” Said Goennemann.
For further information relating to the collaborative project, visit https://www.amgc.org.au/project/commercialisation-of-micheck-prostate/
