Innovic (ASX:IIQ) announced a breakthrough in the detection of ovarian cancer.

This result is a step forward towards early detection of the disease, and early intervention is known to dramatically improve survival rates.

Currently, there are no recommended screening methods for asymptomatic women. The global market for ovarian cancer diagnostics was valued at $1.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $2.9 billion by 2032.

Exosomes and EXO-NET

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that play an important role in communication between cells. They are released into body fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, allowing sampling.

Its molecular content reflects the cell of origin and can carry disease-specific markers such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially enabling early detection and monitoring.

INOVIQ’s “EXO-NET” technology efficiently captures exosomes, enabling high-purity, high-yield isolation suitable for downstream analysis of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

The technology is scalable and compatible with automation systems. The capture process typically completes within 15 to 30 minutes.

the study

In this validation study, more than 500 blood samples were performed on a high-throughput robotic platform.

Biomarkers previously identified in the previous “Ovarian Cancer 97” study were measured using mass spectrometry and their diagnostic validity was confirmed.

This validation study also revealed additional biomarkers, paving the way for future advances.

Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo, Director of the Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine Center at the University of Queensland, said: “This study demonstrates that the EXO-OC test identified all stages of ovarian cancer with an overall accuracy of over 94%. The OC test is particularly accurate in identifying early stages of ovarian cancer, with a sensitivity of more than 90% and 96% in stage I, where women have a five-year survival time. Achieves a specificity of over 90%.

Sensitivity is the ability of a test to accurately identify people who have the disease (true positives). For example, if 100 women with stage I ovarian cancer are tested, a sensitivity of 90% or higher means that the test will correctly identify at least 90 women as having ovarian cancer. means.

“Specificity” is the ability of a test to accurately identify people who do not have the disease (true negatives). In this case, if 100 women without stage I ovarian cancer were tested, a specificity of 96% would mean that the test would correctly identify 96 of them as not having cancer. High specificity reduces the number of false positives, avoiding unnecessary stress and follow-up testing and treatment.

What’s next?

INOVIQ plans to optimize the test for commercial device platforms and conduct further clinical validation before deployment to clinical laboratories.

The company is also developing other products, including tests for early detection of breast and bladder cancer.

INOVIQ shares are trading 8.6% higher at 50.5 cents.