BCAL Diagnostics Limited reported recent results of analysis of its scientific data carried out independently by its Australian team and by a highly regarded team of international diagnostic experts. The outcome of the analysis by the two teams is that a considerably reduced number of markers, compared with previous information, can be used to distinguish between blood samples of breast cancer patients and normal control samples. BCAL is developing a blood-based test for detection of breast cancer in its early stages.

The test is based on disease-associated changes in the profile of lipids (fats) found in blood. As described in the Prospectus for its 2021 IPO, the Company had at that time collected information on blood samples from 3 cohorts of women diagnosed with breast cancer compared with healthy controls. As a result, a panel of 18 different lipids, differing in their amounts between cancer and non-cancer blood samples, had been identified.

Over the past 6 months, samples from a 4th cohort of patients have been examined, bringing the total of samples analysed in Australia since 2018 to 790. Examination of the data from the 4th cohort by the Company's Australian team indicated that a signature with a reduced number of lipid markers than the original 18, as few as 6 to 10, might be sufficient for an effective clinical test. Such a reduction in the number of markers to be examined for each test considerably improves its commercial feasibility and attractiveness, reducing the time, cost and difficulty for analysis of each sample.

Independently, BCAL contracted a third party to review the BCAL data and perform a retrospective analysis for the entire 790 samples collected. The review identified five small lipid signatures, with two particularly strong signatures whose performance strongly characterised samples from breast cancer patients when compared with normal controls. These signatures delivered strikingly consistent performance and are in agreement with BCAL's local blind testing findings.

The combination of these local and international analyses supports BCAL's goal of reaching a refined algorithm, facilitating acceleration of test development in a format that will be attractive both clinically and commercially. In addition, this greater refinement of the lipid marker panel has opened up the opportunity for BCAL to secure additional patent protection for its test.