News
Tessellate BIO, Omico and CMRI announce a multi-year collaboration to accelerate discovery of synthetic lethal precision therapies to address ‘ALT’ cancers
National, not for profit genomic pioneer, Omico, welcomes the formal announcement of a unique collaboration with Tessellate BIO and CMRI (Children’s Medical Research Institute) which focusses on advancing the understanding of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a mechanism present in cancer cells, and accelerating the development of precision medicines to target it.
First of its kind educational cancer and genomics initiative commences for the community
This week, not-for- profit genomics pioneer, Omico, commences a first-of-its kind national educational initiative to provide Australians with advanced, incurable or poor prognosis cancers an increased understanding of the power of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and precision oncology as a genuine component of an advanced cancer management plan.
‘No time to waste, no more lives to lose’ says genomics pioneer. A bold and innovative approach is needed to fight cancer
Addressing the National Press Club on Rare Cancers Awareness Day (26 June), Prof Thomas will call for a bolder approach to harnessing rapid advances in cancer innovation known as ‘precision oncology’. For Australians with the challenging diagnosis of rare, advanced or incurable cancers he wants the words ‘it’s time to get your affairs in order and prepare your family’ to be replaced with an immediate directive to the genomics tools now available – genomic profiling of the cancer and matching to precision medicines.
Prof. David Thomas will Address the National Press Club of Australia
Hear from the 'Godfather' of rare cancer science and precision oncology, Professor David Thomas, announcing the latest groundbreaking cancer research outcomes in the country on Wednesday 26th June, coinciding with Rare Cancers Awareness Day and the National Health Journalism Awards.
Omico achieves major milestone!
5000 Australians with toughest cancers referred to PrOSPeCT for free comprehensive genomic profiling. The nation’s largest cancer genomics initiative PrOSPeCT (Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials) has reached a major milestone this month with over 5,000 Australians, diagnosed with hard-to-treat cancers with very limited treatment options, receiving referrals for free comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of their cancer.
Update March 2024: Omico and PrOSPeCT
PrOSPeCT (Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials) is our landmark precision oncology initiative, enabled by public-private funding and partnerships totalling over $185M, including $61.2M grant funding from the Australian Government.
Omico Working Together with Australian Cancer Patient Advocacy Groups
Sydney, Australia – April 18, 2024 - Omico recognises that patient advocacy organisations are experts in understanding the patient, family and community experience with cancer, tailoring information, and support, and advocating for equity of access to the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment and care.
Unlocking the Power of Real-World Data at Omico
Sydney, Australia – April 12, 2024 - With respect to our landmark initiative PrOSPeCT, supporting Omico on this journey are two key partners, Quantium and Australia's largest supercomputing centre, National Computational Infrastructure (NCI Australia). Quantium is well known in the data science and artificial intelligence space and assists by providing its advanced analytical firepower. In parallel, NCI provides a secure and protected environment to house data from PrOSPeCT and a powerful platform for sharing data to enable the analysis of large quantities of genomic information, effectively bringing precision medicine to real-world data.
Omico’s National Clinical Trials Network
Sydney, Australia – April 18, 2024 - Omico is dedicated to advancing cancer treatment and care by establishing and supporting a network of clinical trial sites. Coordinated by Lucille Sebastian, the Omico National Clinical Trials Network (ONCTN), aims to broaden treatment options to patients whilst improving equitable access to clinical trials. This endeavour involves collaboration with various stakeholders including clinical trial units, clinicians, patients, and pharmaceutical companies.
Omico Strengthens Leadership Team for Sustainable Growth: Welcomes New Full-time CEO.
Sydney, Australia – March 12, 2024 – Omico, the pioneering, not-for-profit, national organisation accelerating access to precision oncology in Australia, proudly announces Ian Black as its new full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 2 April 2024. Mr Black joins Professor David Thomas, Omico’s founder, who will continue to play a vital role within the organisation. This transition signifies a pivotal moment in Omico's journey, a necessary evolution of its organisational structure to effectively manage current priorities, ongoing growth and ensure longterm sustainability.
PrOSPeCT formally launches, bringing new hope to Australians with incurable or advanced cancers
Pioneering national genomics initiative gives 23,000 Australians their best fighting chance against the toughest cancers
7,000 patients reached via MoST
As of March 2023, we have screened more than 7,000 patients through our Molecular Screening & Therapeutics (MoST) study.
Ground-breaking Australian research answers long-standing genetic mystery of why people develop rare hidden cancer
Research led by Omico, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney has generated the first comprehensive genetic map of sarcomas, identifying several new important genes that when inherited can cause this deadly cancer. The research has wide implications for people living with sarcoma and their families – allowing detection of the cancer earlier and potentially improving survival for patients.
New hope secured for Australians with LFS
The Australian Government’s Federal Budget announcement brings new hope to Australian families carrying gene variants with an extreme risk of cancer (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, known as LFS), with a four year $1.9M commitment to fund whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
5,000 patients reached on MoST
We are so pleased that 5,000 Australian cancer patients have accessed genomic technology via our Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST) study.
SPORE grant to investigate leiomyosarcoma
Our team David Thomas and Mandy Ballinger has received a collaborative grant through the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE).
A Current Affair feature on MoST
We were thrilled to see national media coverage of the Molecular Screening & Therapeutics (MoST) study – the leading Australian program delivering molecular screening and trials matching to advanced cancer patients.
Rare Cancers Australia podcast series
Our partners at Rare Cancers Australia have launched their new Thought Leaders podcast series, sharing a collection of candid conversations with some of the brightest minds in the Australian cancer community.
Presenting with Foundation Medicine at ESMO 2022
We’re proud to be collaborating with Foundation Medicine to present one of fourteen abstracts demonstrating the power of genomic profiling to advance cancer care at the 2022 ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology, set to be held virtually and in Paris from September 9-13.
We have entered into a collaboration agreement with Oncoshot
We’re proud to be the first partner in Australia to use Oncoshot’s federated data system for clinical trial insights. This partnership will enable greater access for Australian cancer patients to the latest cancer drugs via global clinical trials.
$185 million investment to fast-track treatments for rare and ‘untreatable’ cancers
The Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials (PrOSPeCT) will establish Australia as a medical manufacturing hub: building links from research through to the clinic; creating jobs; changing lives. A private public partnership to strengthen Australia’s position at the forefront of the cancer treatment revolution
APOS 2021 - DNA & Beyond - online event
Renowned experts discussing the future of genomic cancer medicine, developing new models for health care, data and machine learning. Join us for 4 sessions over 4 days to explore novel technologies, innovative therapies and a systems approach to managing cancer risk and providing healthcare. November Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th November 2021; 5pm - 7pm AEST
Pancreatic cancer program
Cancer Institute NSW has awarded a Translational Program Grant to an impressive team of experienced laboratory and clinical researchers in pancreas cancer, coordinated by Chief Investigator Professor David Goldstein. The team is seeking to develop better targeted treatment options for pancreatic cancer – and ultimately, improve outcomes for people affected.
2020 Masterclass Publications and webinar recordings
View the "Demystifying the Molecular Tumour Board" Masterclass publication and webinar recordings