Units/ml provided a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 50% for detection of ovarian cancer, compared to 27% sensitivity using CA125 alone in this sample group. The high sensitivity obtained by combining the BARD1 peptides with CA125 is encouraging for the potential use of the BARD1 AAb assay for detection of ovarian cancer in high-risk women with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC), where high sensitivity is important. During FY22, INOVIQ initiated a comprehensive review of the BARD1 autoantibody program and data generated at both UNIGE and Griffith University to inform further research direction, assay design and future studies. Whilst the BARD1 autoantibody assay for detection of ovarian cancer (and other cancers) has shown promising data in several case-control studies, the Company is undertaking further assessment to determine the future development path and commercial potential of this test as it believes the assay still requires considerable further optimisation and analytical validation before advancement towards clinical development of a potential commercial test. Additionally, the Company evaluated BARD1 isoformmRNA approaches in combination with its NETs technology as an alternative to BARD1 autoantibodies for early cancer detection. On 29 November 2021, INOVIQ announced a new exosome liquid biopsy project to evaluate exosome-based BARD1 RNA tests for the earlier detection of breast and ovarian cancers. The Company signed a Research Agreement with the Mucosal Immunology Research Group (MIRG) at Griffith University. These proof-of-concept studies aimed to compare NanoString Technologies and RT-qPCR analyses of exosomal BARD1 RNA biomarkers. This work program is yet to be completed. On 28March 2022, INOVIQ advised that it is continuing its review of the BARD1 autoantibody program, and while that review is being undertaken no further investment in the technology is planned. A decision will be made about further investment at the completion of the review process. The review of the BARD1 autoantibody program remains ongoing as at the date of this Annual Report. Other research projects In April 2022, INOVIQ advised that it had provided notice to end its collaboration with the University of Liverpool to evaluate protein biomarkers for Type 3c diabetes mellitus. The research programwas not progressed in a timely manner due to COVID-19 related delays and INOVIQmade the decision to focus its investment on its core SubB2M and EXO-NET programs for cancer and other diseases. 17 Annual Report 2022
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