Melbourne, 15 June 2010: Melbourne biotechnology company HealthLinx Ltd (ASX:HTX) will today recommence distribution of the OvPlex™ test through Healthscope Limited (ASX:HSP) which has more than 340 collection centres across Australia.
This follows a necessary pause in sales resulting from the acquisition of ARL Pathology by Healthscope Limited in September 2009.
HealthLinx managing director, Mr Nick Gatsios said following the acquisition, ARL’s extensive OvPlex™ laboratory testing facilities have been relocated to Healthscope’s central testing laboratory in Clayton.
“OvPlex™ testing was suspended purely because of this ‘moving house’ procedure,” he said.
“It was protracted because of the complicated nature of the technology involved but we are delighted with this new partnership and feel that the product will realise its true potential with Healthscope. It’s fantastic news for Australian women - patients can now benefit from the convenience of Healthscope’s national network of collection centres to have their OvPlex™ blood test performed.”
The OvPlex™ test measures the levels of five biomarkers in a blood sample.
The news comes as a major international trial is launched into a second generation OvPlex™ test, which builds on existing technology and aims to test the potential of two new biomarkers.
Healthscope Pathology’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Paul Waterson, said he was confident the collaboration would extend the test’s reach to a much wider Australian market.
“Healthscope Pathology looks forward to working with HealthLinx to make this test available to all Australian women and potentially save many lives,” he said.
“We have a national sales force committed to ensure GPs right around the country know this blood test is available through Healthscope Pathology.
“Healthscope Pathology brings far greater resources to the OvPlex™ distributorship, with a national network of collection centres and a state-of-the-art laboratory for OvPlexTM testing at Clayton, Victoria.”
The OvPlex™ test is available with a GP referral at a cost of $200. Biomarker trials to date have shown that OvPlex™ is a superior performing alternative to CA-125 alone for the detection of ovarian cancer with 94 per cent sensitivity and specificity.
