| | | | Omico eNewsletter - February 2026 Edition | | | |
Dear $[UD:FIRST_NAME||]$
Hello to you on World Cancer Day.
Today we recognise the many people working—in different ways, in different places—to improve outcomes for those affected by cancer, the “modern plague”. From research and clinical care to policy, advocacy and lived experience, progress is built through shared effort and sustained collaboration.
We’ve started 2026 with our vision intact to transform cancer care for Australians. It feels like an appropriate day to share our 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission (see below), as we continue conversations about how precision oncology can be embedded in routine care nationally. Our focus remains on evidence generation and supporting access to comprehensive genomic profiling and treatment matching for Australians with incurable cancer, and on the critical step of moving precision oncology to mainstream care.
The stories that follow reflect this work in practice. They highlight the impact of precision oncology, and the people and partnerships making better, more equitable cancer care possible.
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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Securing PrOSPeCT: continuity today, mainstream care tomorrow
Every 15 minutes, Omico receives another referral of an Australian with an incurable cancer diagnosis to the PrOSPeCT precision oncology initiative. Their needs are urgent.
Based on current demand, the existing funding allocation of $30.8 million announced in March 2025 is projected to be exhausted by September 2026. Last week, Omico submitted its 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission, Securing PrOSPeCT for the Future to the Federal Government, seeking continuation funding for PrOSPeCT through to the end of 2028, while longer-term arrangements for mainstreaming precision oncology are considered.
Continuity of PrOSPeCT matters. It safeguards the infrastructure, clinical pathways and workforce that enable uninterrupted access to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), treatment matching and clinical trial options. For people with incurable cancer, access to emerging therapies with the potential to extend lives remains critical for them, their families and communities. PrOSPeCT also strengthens Australia’s clinical trials ecosystem and sovereign genomics capability, while generating the real-world evidence needed to inform policy, funding and mainstream models of care.
We encourage you to read our submission and stay informed as this next phase unfolds. Sustained support now enables continued patient benefit today—and creates the conditions for precision oncology to become standard care in the future.
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1 month to APOS 26! A symposium for the precision oncology community
As APOS 26 approaches, we want to acknowledge the people and partners who are making this meeting possible—we appreciate your collaboration and support.
This year, the program has been shaped by our inaugural Scientific Committee, whose collective expertise has ensured a rigorous, relevant agenda grounded in science, medicine and equity. The APOS 26 Program is available via the link below.
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Pictured: Sam Harris, David Thomas, Milita Zaheed, Damien Kee, Mandy Ballinger, Gregory Gaughran, Alexandra Jolley, Maya Kansara
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We also extend our sincere thanks to our APOS 26 sponsors—AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Servier, AbbVie, Illumina and Boehringer Ingelheim—for supporting a forum that brings together leaders across the cancer ecosystem to translate innovation into mainstream precision oncology practice. We look forward to acknowledging additional sponsors soon, as arrangements are finalised.
There’s still time to register for APOS 26!
If your work involves cancer care, research, genomics, trials, policy or advocacy, we encourage you to register—or to share this with colleagues who would find it relevant.
Event details:
🗓️Friday, 6 March 2026 1:00 – 5:30pm | APOS 26 Day 1, followed by the Symposium Dinner 🗓️Saturday, 7 March 2026 9:00am – 2:45pm | APOS 26 Day 2 📍In person: UNSW Kensington campus, Sydney NSW 💻 Online: via Teams Webinar (details provided after registration)
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Precision oncology recognised in Parliament
Following the launch of Omico’s From Momentum to Mainstream Impact Report at Parliament House in Nov 2025, Dr Mike Freelander MP rose in the House of Representatives to reflect on the impact of Omico’s work and the opportunity ahead for cancer care in Australia.
Drawing on his long-standing involvement in health care and policy, Dr Freelander spoke about how precision oncology—delivered through Omico’s national programs—is translating genomic science into real-world care. His remarks highlighted how comprehensive genomic profiling and biomarker-guided treatments are already extending lives, improving outcomes, and providing equitable access to emerging therapies for people with advanced and incurable cancers across the country.
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He also acknowledged the leadership of Omico’s founder, Professor David Thomas, the Omico team and the partnerships that have enabled this work to reach patients in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia—at no cost to them.
Reflecting on Omico’s decade-long journey, Dr Freelander noted he was “very proud to have had some involvement in this program since its inception,” and looked ahead to a future where these proven approaches can reach even more Australians.
We thank Dr Freelander for drawing attention in Parliament to what has already been achieved—and to what is possible for the future, with sustained national leadership and political will in cancer care, helping turn evidence into standard care for Australians who need it most.
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Real Australians, sharing what access can make possible
Participants in Omico’s precision oncology programs sometimes choose to share their experiences—through videos, media interviews and panel discussions—to help others better understand their options when navigating a cancer diagnosis. | |
One of those people is Beth, who is living with advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Recently, Beth shared a moment (along with this lovely picture), that mattered deeply to her: being present at her son’s wedding, surrounded by family and friends.
Beth has often reflected that access to precision oncology, and the opportunity to be matched to treatment through Omico’s programs, has allowed her more time to live her life, not just manage her diagnosis.
Beth is part of a much larger community. To date, more than 34,000 Australians have been referred to Omico’s programs by over 1,400 clinicians across the country, to potentially identify personalised treatment options and improve patient outcomes.
You can hear from Beth and other Australians who have chosen to share their experiences of precision oncology: 👉 Visit our Patients and Families Page | | | | | | | |
Meet the people that do the matching – Omico’s Molecular Oncology Board
Behind every CaSP report is a multidisciplinary team applying decades of expertise to one person’s cancer.
Each week, Omico’s Molecular Oncology Board reviews complex comprehensive genomic profiling results through the Cancer Screening Program (CaSP) and provides evidence-based treatment recommendations.
These reports are returned to the patient’s referring clinician. They outline potential matched therapies and relevant clinical trial options based on the unique molecular profile of an individual’s cancer, supporting oncologists in clinical decision-making and helping surface treatment options that may not otherwise be considered. | | To date, more than 15,000 participants in Omico programs have received matched therapy recommendations. This work reflects the ongoing commitment of the Molecular Oncology Board to advancing precision oncology and supporting better outcomes for Australians with incurable cancer.
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Improving equitable access to genomic profiling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Ensuring equitable access to precision oncology is core to Omico’s mission. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples—who experience a higher burden of cancer and poorer long-term outcomes—participation in genomic research and clinical trials has historically been limited, reducing access to emerging approaches to care.
Omico supported staff at the Royal Darwin Hospital to set up a 12-month, culturally informed intervention to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with incurable cancer to access the Cancer Screening Program (CaSP).
Early recruitment identified a clear gap: CaSP’s electronic referral and phone-based consent processes were not working well for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living remotely across the Northern Territory. In response, hospital clinicians and Omico co-designed a tailored model. With Omico investment, a dedicated Aboriginal Liaison Officer was embedded within the service, and in-person, onsite consent was enabled—most often led by trusted treating clinicians. Ethics approval was secured, and the model was refined as learnings emerged, including the introduction of a Clinical Trial Nurse Coordinator to provide additional clinical support as patient access to CaSP increased.
During the 12-month supported period, 35 Aboriginal patients were referred to the study, at least tripling previous participation rates. As Professor Maree Toombs, Deputy Dean Indigenous, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, notes: “What particularly stands out is the demonstrated impact of the dedicated cultural support, with significantly higher participation during the supported period. This provides compelling evidence for the value of culturally specific staffing and relationship-based approaches.”
Insights from this initiative are being documented for publication, helping inform future efforts to improve access—grounded in evidence, cultural safety, and partnership.
With thanks to:
Michail Charakidis (Medical Oncologist), Lisa Cooper (Aboriginal Liaison Officer), Halli Waran (Clinical Trial Nurse Co-ordinator)
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Welcoming new members to the Omico Board
We are pleased to welcome two new members to the Omico Board: Greg Couttas and Professor Alexander Swarbrick.
Their appointments reflect the range of experience supporting Omico’s ongoing work. | |
Greg brings deep expertise in finance, audit, risk and governance from a long career with Deloitte, alongside board roles with organisations including The Salvation Army Australia and Hireup. His background supports strong oversight, accountability and stewardship across complex organisations.
Professor Swarbrick contributes internationally recognised scientific leadership from his work at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney, with a focus on cancer genomics and translational research. His perspective strengthens the link between research, evidence and clinical care.
Together, the Board continues to provide guidance and oversight as Omico works to support Australians with unmet cancer needs and progress precision oncology toward becoming standard of care.
👉 Read more about Omico’s Board members on our website | | | | | | | | | |
TAPISTRY: A Phase II Study of Atezolizumab in TMB-High Tumours
A Phase II study published in Clinical Cancer Research provides important evidence to help guide the use of immunotherapy in people with advanced cancers.
TAPISTRY is an international, multicohort Phase II trial, sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and with patients enrolled across multiple countries and cancer centres worldwide. While Australian expertise—including study leadership by Omico’s David Thomas—strongly shaped the study’s design and interpretation, the findings are intended to be globally applicable.
The study evaluated atezolizumab in patients with tumour mutational burden (TMB)–high solid tumours using clearly defined TMB thresholds. Across a range of tumour types, many difficult to treat, around one in five patients experienced a response, with progression-free survival outcomes consistent across TMB cut-offs and a safety profile aligned with previous studies.
Overall, the findings add to already strong evidence for the utility of TMB as a biomarker to guide immunotherapy decisions. The authors note that further research is warranted to better identify which people with TMB-high tumours—including those with rare cancers—are most likely to benefit from atezolizumab.
🔗 Read the publication | |
Eribulin in two rare vascular sarcomas
A Phase II study published in Clinical Cancer Research and co-led by David Thomas reports evidence of clinical activity for eribulin in two ultra-rare and difficult-to-treat sarcomas: angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).
The publication reports a pooled analysis of two parallel Phase II studies, conducted across two countries, evaluating eribulin in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. Most participants had received prior treatments, including taxane-based chemotherapy.
Among patients with angiosarcoma, a subset achieved durable disease control, while responses were also observed in EHE—a cancer type for which there are currently no approved systemic therapies.
While patient numbers were small, the findings suggest that some people with these rare cancers may derive meaningful benefit. The authors note that further studies are warranted, including combination approaches and evaluation in earlier treatment settings, to better define eribulin’s role in these diseases.
🔗 Read the publication | | | | | | | |
What’s On: Upcoming Events & Learning Opportunities | |
Returning for 2026, the NSW Big Ideas Oncology Seminar Series kicks off on 24 February, continuing its focus on bold ideas shaping the future of cancer care.
The first seminar, Non-genetic mechanisms of therapeutic adaption in cancer,
will feature Professor Mark Dawson, a leader in the development of first-in-class epigenetic therapies translated into clinical trials worldwide.
Professor Dawson—Physician-Scientist, Program Head, and Associate Director of Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre—will present insights into the key molecular mechanisms driving cancer initiation, maintenance, and progression, with a focus on non-genetic pathways of therapeutic adaptation.
🗓️ Tuesday 24th February | 12:00 – 1:00pm AEST 📍 In-Person: UNSW Health Translation Hub Seminar Room, Ground Floor, HTH building, 55 Botany St, Randwick. (A light lunch will be provided). 💻 Online attendance available
The Series is hosted by Prof. David Thomas (UNSW) and Prof. Vanessa Hayes (USYD). | |
ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers 2026 | Reduced registration rates close 11 Feb
The ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress 2026 will be held 12–14 March 2026 in Lugano, Switzerland, convening international expertise to advance care for people with rare and hard-to-treat cancers.
Omico’s David Thomas is serving as Scientific Co-Chair, contributing to a program that brings together clinical, translational and policy-relevant perspectives—from molecular profiling and emerging therapies to outcomes in rare tumour subtypes.
⏰ Reduced registration rates close Wednesday, 11 February 2026 (23:59 CET).
With more than 380 abstracts submitted, the Congress offers in-depth discussion and exchange across sarcoma and rare cancers, and an opportunity to engage with peers shaping practice, research and policy in this evolving field. | | | | | | | |
In case you missed it - Presentations worth revisiting | | | |
Big Ideas Oncology Seminar Series 2025
The 2025 NSW Big Ideas Oncology Seminar Series brought together leading researchers and thinkers to examine emerging ideas in cancer research and care.
Speakers included Georgina Long AO, Vivienne Milch, Michelle Haber, Christine Cockburn, Sarah McGoram, Craig Venter, Maree Toombs and David Thomas.
Hosted by David Thomas (UNSW) and Vanessa Hayes (USYD). | |
APOS 2025
APOS 25 explored molecular therapeutics, emerging technologies, cancer in young people, survivorship, and translating research into clinical impact.
A highlight was the live Molecular Oncology Board session, offering case-based insights into treatment matching and real-world decision-making.
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We hope you enjoy this update. Feel free to share it with colleagues and friends and invite them to [subscribe here]. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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