Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX: PIQ) has extended its distribution agreement with medical diagnostics company Apacor Limited to bring its PromarkerD predictive test for diabetic kidney disease to patients in England, Scotland and Wales.
Proteomics International commenced working with Apacor in November 2021 and initially signed a two year licence agreement.
Since then, several key milestones have been achieved, notably including PromarkerD being registered for use with the UK Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the publication of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advice on PromarkerD.
Based on this success Proteomics International and Apacor wished to extend the relationship and have agreed to an additional five year term. Both parties are now workings towards the inclusion of PromarkerD in the NICE Guidelines and engaging with the NHS Supply Chain Tender process as part of the commercial roll-out of the test in the UK. The Company will provide timelines for these processes when known.
In the United Kingdom an estimated 4.8 million people, or seven per cent of the population, live with type 2 diabetes. The UK’s National Health Service spends at least £10 billion per year on diabetes, equivalent to 10 per cent of its budget.
Apacor Managing Director Anthony Bellm said he was excited by the feedback they were seeing for PromarkerD and being able to partner with Proteomics International to bring the test to the UK.
“This world-first test offers huge benefits for the growing number of people living with diabetes in Great Britain, as well as significant savings to the NHS,” he said. “The test will support doctors in providing early treatment options for high-risk patients, while avoiding unnecessary interventions for patients who are predicted to be at low risk of a decline in kidney function.”
The updated distribution agreement provides Apacor Limited with the exclusive right to sell the immunoassay version of the PromarkerD test in England, Scotland and Wales. The initial term of the updated agreement with Apacor expires on 31 January 2028, and is of three years by mutual agreement.
Proteomics International will receive payment for each PromarkerD kit sold.
Apacor are proving to be an invaluable partner for creating greater awareness of PromarkerD in the UK. They have 30 years of experience in medical and analytical diagnostics and we’ve been impressed by their skills, experience and network, especially their strong relationships with government and professional healthcare bodies across the UK,” Proteomics International Managing Director, Dr Richard Lipscombe, said.
Proteomics International and Apacor have also entered into discussions for extending their relationship into selected countries in continental Europe.
