BCAL Partners with Sonic to Offer BREASTEST plus™ at 93 Sydney Locations
BCAL Diagnostics has partnered with Sonic Healthcare Australia to broaden access to its innovative blood-based breast cancer test, BREASTEST plus™, across Sydney. This move formalizes a commercial rollout following successful trials and aims to improve early detection for women with dense breast tissue.
- Partnership with Sonic Healthcare formalized
- BREASTEST plus™ available at 93 pathology centres in Sydney
- Test targets women with dense breast tissue
- Specimen processing handled by Melbourne Pathology
- Further expansion planned beyond Sydney and Melbourne
A Strategic Partnership to Enhance Breast Cancer Screening
BCAL Diagnostics Limited (ASX, BDX), an Australian biotechnology company focused on early breast cancer detection, has taken a significant step forward by partnering with Sonic Healthcare Australia. This agreement enables women in Sydney to access BCAL’s blood-based diagnostic test, BREASTEST plus™, at 93 Sonic pathology centres, marking a crucial milestone in the test’s commercial rollout.
From Trial Success to Widespread Availability
Since its launch in March 2025, BREASTEST plus™ has been trialled through Sonic’s network with promising results. The formal partnership now expands patient access, allowing women with dense breast tissue, a group for whom traditional mammography can be less effective, to conveniently undergo this non-invasive blood test close to home. Specimen pre-analytical processing will be managed by Melbourne Pathology, ensuring streamlined logistics between Sydney and Melbourne.Implications for Patients and Clinicians
BCAL’s CEO Shane Ryan highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, emphasizing improved convenience and faster turnaround times. By integrating BREASTEST plus™ alongside mammography, clinicians gain an additional tool to better rule out breast cancer, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies and anxiety for patients. This layered approach could enhance diagnostic confidence and ultimately improve health outcomes for women.Looking Ahead, Expansion and Market Potential
While the current focus is on Sydney and Melbourne, BCAL plans further geographic expansion in the coming months. The partnership with a major pathology provider like Sonic Healthcare not only boosts patient access but also positions BCAL to capture a growing market for innovative breast cancer diagnostics. However, the announcement stops short of detailing financial terms or specific rollout timelines, leaving some questions about the commercial impact unanswered.Bottom Line?
BCAL’s alliance with Sonic Healthcare sets the stage for broader adoption of BREASTEST plus™, signaling a promising evolution in breast cancer diagnostics.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the expected patient uptake rates following this expanded access?
- How will this partnership impact BCAL’s revenue and profitability in the near term?
- When and where will BCAL’s next phase of geographic expansion occur?
