| | | | Omico eNewsletter - May 2025 Edition | | | |
Dear $[UD:FIRST_NAME||]$
Today, 20 May, is International Clinical Trials Day - a timely opportunity to recognise the thousands of Australians, and the many organisations, researchers and clinicians, working together to expand access to cutting-edge cancer care through clinical research.
This edition highlights the people, partnerships and progress driving Omico’s mission - from our growing network of clinical trial sites and sponsors, to new milestones in patient participation, and the broader economic and industry benefits this activity is delivering for Australia.
From Australian Story to ABC Radio, a new alliance with Icon Cancer Centre, and over 13,000 podcast listens—these are the moments helping shift what’s possible. Thank you for being part of it.
We hope you enjoy this update. Feel free to share it with colleagues and friends and invite them to [subscribe here].
Omico
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This International Clinical Trials Day, We Honour the People and Partners Powering Progress
Today, we celebrate what sits at the heart of Omico’s mission: integrating research and care to improve lives, build evidence, advance science, and help modernise the Australian health care system.
Through initiatives like CaSP and PrOSPeCT, we’re expanding access to comprehensive genomic profiling—enabling treatment matching and opening doors to clinical trials, often when no standard options remain. Every patient who participates helps generate the evidence that drives change.
Since 2016, Omico has supported a total of 98 clinical trials—78 of these in the past two years alone, in partnership with 22 industry sponsors—bringing $176M in foreign direct investment to Australia and creating over 1,300 jobs. Sixteen of these trials would not have come to Australia without our national genomic profiling infrastructure.
Our expanding Omico National Clinical Trials Network now includes 79 hospitals and cancer centres, 26 of them in regional areas. More than 23,700 people have taken part in our research programs, with over 2,000 accessing clinical trials to date—this represents 18% of those who received a treatment recommendation. This rate continues to grow as our programs mature, with more people gaining earlier access to innovative therapies. To our funding collaborators, industry partners, clinical trial sites and participants who make this possible—thank you.
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In Case You Missed It: Australian Story featuring Samuel Johnson and Love Your Sister - Aired Monday 19 May, ABC & ABC iview Last night’s ABC’s Australian Story offered an intimate glimpse into the heart and drive of Samuel Johnson — actor, advocate, and co-founder of the Love Your Sister Foundation, the charity he started with his late sister Connie. | |
The episode marked a major milestone: $20M raised for cancer research. It followed Sam on the road as he visited community halls, clubs and campsites across the country, sharing his story and connecting deeply with Australians from all walks of life. We were honoured that Sam and the ABC included Prof. David Thomas in the program. Love Your Sister and Omico share a special partnership, grounded in a commitment to advancing precision oncology and improving outcomes for Australians with cancer. Sam and his team deeply understand the potential of precision oncology. They’re passionate advocates for a future where more Australians benefit from personalised, science-led treatments — and they’re helping make it possible through tireless work across community, corporate and government levels.
Love Your Sister provides vital research funding to Omico to help accelerate access to life-changing cancer care. Thank you, Sam and the Love Your Sister community, for your unwavering support. You're helping change lives. | | | | | | | |
ABC Radio National Breakfast
Changing Australia: David Thomas and Ramping Up Access to Precision Cancer Treatment
Each year, thousands of Australians face a diagnosis of advanced, rare or less common cancer—often with limited treatment options.
In last week’s ABC Radio National Breakfast interview, Prof. David Thomas explains how precision oncology is transforming outcomes through genomics, data and clinical trials to better match patients to the right treatment. It’s a model already saving lives—but isn’t yet available to everyone who could benefit.
A global leader in the field, David makes the case for embedding precision oncology into standard care— so more Australians, especially those with advanced, rare or poor prognosis cancers, have access to science-led treatment as part of routine care, wherever they live. The potential to save and extend lives is here; now the system must catch up. | | The conversation also touches on his personal experience as a cancer patient, offering a rare dual perspective on what today’s advances mean in practice.
This 15-minute interview is essential listening for anyone interested in science, health, or the cancer treatment of today and tomorrow.
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Meet… our new partnership with Icon Cancer Centre!
In April, Omico and Icon Cancer Centre - Australia & New Zealand announced our partnership to expand access to precision oncology and clinical trials—bringing personalised treatment options to more Australians living with advanced, incurable or poor prognosis cancers.
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Through this collaboration: - Eligible patients across Icon’s national network, including regional and non-metro centres, will have access to free comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and clinical trial matching through Omico’s PrOSPeCT initiative
- Clinicians will be supported to integrate genomic-guided treatments into everyday practice
- More patients will be able to join biomarker-led clinical trials, providing access to the latest advances in personalised cancer therapies, and contributing to the future of real-world cancer research
Together, we're extending community-based precision oncology, bringing greater access, more options, and renewed hope. Because access to cutting-edge cancer care shouldn’t depend on postcode.
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Spotlight on Omico’s Referrals and Consents Team
Omico’s Referrals and Consents Team is the first point of contact for people entering our Cancer Screening Program (CaSP). Each day, this team speak with Australians facing the challenges of an advanced or incurable cancer diagnosis—often during an incredibly difficult time. The team coordinates referrals from oncologists nation-wide, supports each participant through the consent process, and ensures they are fully informed before taking part in our research initiatives. It’s a role that requires compassion, clarity and care—and they bring all three to every interaction. In the past two years alone, they’ve managed over 13,000 referrals and helped nearly 11,000 people enrol in CaSP, laying the foundation for potentially life-changing treatment options. This team is quietly making a big difference—one person at a time.
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If you’re living with advanced, incurable or poor prognosis cancer, speak to your oncologist about whether a referral to CaSP may be right for you.
Learn more in our CaSP General Information Sheet by clicking the button below. | | | | | | | |
Help Shape Support for Australians Affected by Cancer
Rare Cancers Australia—an important partner to Omico in driving better outcomes for people with hard-to-treat cancers—is inviting people across the cancer community to take part in their first Rare Cancer Lived Experience Survey.
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Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, have had cancer in the past, or have cared for someone through their cancer experience, your insights matter.
The survey explores what happens before, during and after diagnosis, and how cancer affects individuals and their support networks. It takes around 20 minutes and is completely anonymous.
We’re aligned with Rare Cancers Australia in wanting better outcomes for all Australians facing cancer.
Please take a moment to share your experience—or share this to help others do the same.
| | | | | | What’s On: Events & Learning Opportunities | | | |
Webinar: Latest developments on the role of molecular tumour testing in pancreatic cancer.
Tuesday 24 June 2025 | 🗓️5.00pm – 6.00pm AEST | 💻 Zoom Omico, in collaboration with AGITG, Pancare Foundation, and Pankind, invites medical oncologists and surgeons specialising in pancreatic cancer to a focused webinar on the evolving role of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) in pancreatic cancer care. This event will explore how molecular tumour testing can enhance understanding and treatment strategies, supporting a more personalised care in this hard-to-treat cancer. Speakers: · Professor David Thomas, Chief Science & Strategy Officer at Omico & Director of the Centre for Molecular Oncology, UNSW · Professor David Goldstein, Senior Staff Specialist, Dept. of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney & a Conjoint Clinical Professor at UNSW. Learning outcomes · Understand the principles of personalised medicine in pancreatic cancer · Recognise key genetic and molecular biomarkers and understand how they influence treatment decisions and prognosis · Integrate molecular tumour profiling into routine clinical practice · Discuss current technologies and methodologies in molecular tumour testing Registration: If you are a medical oncologist or surgeon specialising in pancreatic cancer, we welcome you to register via the button below. | |
Seminar: The Elimination of Cervical Cancer: A Big Idea at the Right Time
🗓️ Tuesday 27 May 2025 | 12:30pm-1:30pm (AEST) | Networking: 1:30pm-2:30pm 📍 In-Person: Webster Theatre A, Robert Webster Theatres (G15),UNSW Sydney 💻 Online attendance available Join Professor Karen Canfell (Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney & NHMRC Leadership Fellow), for the next event in the 2025 NSW Big Ideas Oncology Seminar Series, as she explores Australia’s role in the global push to eliminate cervical cancer. This talk will examine the evidence behind the WHO strategy, the role of Australia’s experience in its development, the application in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), including the Australian government's Elimination Partnership for Cervical Cancer in the Indo-Pacific (EPICC). It will also consider how this elimination journey could shape future efforts in cancer prevention and early detection. The series is hosted by Prof David Thomas (UNSW) and Prof Vanessa Hayes (USYD). Register to attend in person or online. | | | | | | | | | | | | Omico Shares New Data on Inherited Cancer Risk at Nordic Forum
While much of Omico’s work focuses on matching Australians with advanced cancer to targeted therapies, we’re also tackling a critical question: why do some people—especially young people—develop cancer in the first place? At the Nordic Precision Medicine Forum in Stockholm, Omico’s Prof. David Thomas presented findings from our RiSC (Genetic Cancer Risk in the Young) study. By using whole genome sequencing, RiSC is uncovering inherited genetic variants linked to early-onset cancer, and what they mean for long-term care. Key findings include: · Patients diagnosed with cancer when young often survive their initial cancer but face worse long-term outcomes than their peers, due to long term psychosocial and physical effects, including higher rates of second cancers. · At least 1 in 8 individuals had an explanatory genetic variant identified. In over half, the variant would not have been identified clinically (non-cognate gene:histotype relationships). · A rare inherited syndrome (MINAS i.e. multiple inherited neoplasia allele syndrome) was found in 27 participants—10 with no family history. · Most participants carried pharmacogenetic or other clinically significant variants. The RiSC study is expanding what we know about inherited cancer risk, knowledge that can shape personalised care, improved screening, and more informed lifestyle and reproductive decisions for patients and families. Learn more about the RisC study and Omico’s work via the button below. | | Missed it live? Catch the replay: Clinical Trials and Real-World Data Strategies from Omico
In April we hosted Precision Oncology in Action: Omico’s Clinical Trial Matching and Real-World Insights, a webinar for professionals in pharmaceutical, biotech, and research organisations, highlighting how we’re using real-world data and clinical trial matching to accelerate access to precision oncology in Australia. If you work in oncology drug development, diagnostics, or clinical research, this session is for you. It offers practical insight into how Omico is working with industry to improve patient access and trial performance. Webinar highlights (31 responses from 70 attendees): · 100% found it valuable (65% extremely) · 65% rated the real-world data session as most useful · 55% highlighted the industry and patient perspectives as particularly valuable · 42% said it helped understand real-world data use cases and next steps for partnering with Omico What’s covered: • Optimising biomarker-driven trial enrolment
• Leveraging real-world data for impact
• Collaborator case studies
• The patient side of genomic medicine
With thanks to our speakers: Francis Hinds, Beth Ivimey, Professor David Thomas, Leonie Bates, Karen Cullen. Interested in exploring collaboration or have questions? Contact us at contact@omico.org.au | | | | | | | | | |
Cancer Meets Its Match Podcast — Over 13,000 Listens and Counting We hope you’ve found the Cancer Meets Its Match podcast helpful — whether it’s offered you new information or a sense of clarity. In just four months, our podcast has reached over 13,600 listens, peaking at #10 globally in Apple’s Medical podcast charts and consistently ranking in the top 80. If you haven’t tuned in yet — or know someone affected by cancer who should — this series could make all the difference. Hosted by Dr Ginni Mansberg, the 8-part series brings together oncologists from metro and regional centres, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience to explore how precision oncology and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) are transforming what’s possible for people with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers. It’s essential listening — and sharing — so no one misses the chance to explore personalised options that could extend or save a life. 🎧 Listen on: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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