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Dear $[UD:FIRST_NAME||]$
Thanks to the dedication of over 900 clinicians and the trust of patients and their families, Omico has reached a significant milestone: more than 20,000 patients have been referred to our precision oncology initiatives. This underscores the power of collaboration in transforming cancer care in Australia and we thank you for your support and partnership.
In this edition, we highlight our latest Annual Report, the incredible reach of the Meet the People that Matched campaign, more from the ASPiRATION study, and details of upcoming educational events scheduled for early 2025. There’s also an opportunity to help Rare Cancers Australia build understanding about the financial impact of cancer, and more.
Please share this eNewsletter with colleagues or friends—they can sign up for future editions here.
We hope you enjoy this edition - our next will be in 2025!
Omico
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Omico's 2024 Annual Report: Highlights of our Progress in Precision Oncology
Omico's 2024 Annual Report is now available, offering a comprehensive look at our progress and key milestones over the past year.
As well as PrOSPeCT, the report also highlights other critical initiatives like RisC, a study on hereditary cancer risk in young individuals that reveals promising data on genetic factors in early-onset cancers, and SMOC+, the surveillance study for individuals at high risk of multi-organ cancer, uses cutting-edge whole-body MRI techniques to address unmet needs in cancer screening.
It includes the groundbreaking work in biomarker discovery and testing innovative therapies by our Translational Oncology Laboratory, including exploration of antibody-drug conjugates for targeted treatments to identifying unique markers like CDH17 in various cancers.
Supported by our expanded executive team, these initiatives underscore Omico’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of precision oncology and addressing unmet needs. Explore these highlights and more in our 2024 Annual Report, now available online.
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Celebrating a Season of Recognition: Awards Reflecting Omico’s Impact
Q4 has brought remarkable recognition for Omico’s mission to transform cancer care in Australia, celebrating the efforts of our partners, supporters, and patients and raising awareness of our initiatives. Key highlights: · NSW Premier’s Prize for Outstanding Cancer Researcher of 2024: Prof. David Thomas has been honoured for his contributions to cancer research and precision oncology. · French-Australian Excellence Awards: Prof. David Thomas, winner in the Health & Wellbeing category. (Late-Breaking news – awarded last night!) · PRIME Awards 2024: Named NGO of the Year by the Australian Healthcare Industry. · Golden Target Awards: Cube, our PR partner, won the Agency Team of the Year and a Silver Target for Omico’s PrOSPeCT launch. · Medical Excellence Award: A Permanent Dent in a Big Problem podcast, featuring Prof. Thomas and A/Prof. Craig Underhill, wins at HIH Catalyst for Change Awards.
These achievements highlight the power of collaboration and our shared mission. Thank you to everyone who made them possible!
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ASPiRATION Study: Collaborative Efforts Drive Exceptional Patient Follow-Up Data in Advancing Lung Cancer Research
The ASPiRATION study has achieved exceptional follow-up data collection, offering valuable insights into patient outcomes and quality of life. This success is thanks to the collaboration between Omico, the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia (TOGA), NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) at the University of Sydney, industry partners, and the support of the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and Roche Products Pty. Limited, alongside the dedication of patients and clinicians.
| | Learn more about the outstanding data collection and the impact it can have for the future of cancer care. | | | | | | | | | Enormous thanks to Matthew and NSW Health Pathology for this collaboration to share how precision oncology is unlocking hope in cancer care. | |
Podcast Pick: Cancer Meets Its Match - One Patient’s Precision Journey PrOSPeCT is enabled through partnerships, like the one with NSW Health Pathology, enabling us to bring free comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to Australians facing challenging cancer journeys.
We were delighted that NSW Health Pathology wanted to feature PrOSPeCT in their podcast series, Pathologically Speaking, and extremely grateful to Matthew Webster for sharing his story. As a young engineer his life was changed forever 10 years ago when diagnosed with a rare cancer. His journey through CGP and path to precision treatment shows what’s possible with PrOSPeCT.
Prof. Rob Lindeman and Louise Carey also explain the practical steps within PrOSPeCT and ensuring the successful collection of cancer tissue for CGP which may lead to the identification of biomarkers and a potential match to a treatment or clinical trial. | | | | | | | | Share Your Experience: Help Rare Cancers Australia Understand the Financial Impact of Cancer
Rare Cancers Australia (RCA) has launched a short survey to understand the financial challenges faced by individuals and families affected by cancer. Financial hardship is a reality for 1 in 3 people who contact RCA’s Navigator Support service, highlighting the significant burden beyond the physical and emotional toll of a diagnosis.
By sharing your experiences, you can help RCA advocate for better support systems, policy changes, and programs to ease the financial strain on Australian families. Whether you're a patient, survivor, family member, or caregiver, your voice can help improve access to treatment and reduce financial distress for others facing cancer. The survey is quick to complete but has the potential to create lasting change. | |
Please take a moment to complete the survey and share it with others who might want their experience heard. | | | | | | | | Key Events to Watch for in Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology in Q1 2025
We’re kicking off the year with three significant events designed to deepen understanding of genomics and precision oncology. | | The Australian Precision Oncology Symposium, 7 & 8 March 2025
APOS 25: The Coming of Age of Precision Oncology - will showcase a pivotal moment in cancer care, as precision oncology moves from theory to transformative practice.
The symposium will bring together renowned international and local speakers with a program designed for Australian oncology professionals—including oncologists, researchers, pathologists, and members of the life science and advocacy sectors.
Capacity for 250 in-person delegates and unlimited online participation. Invitations will be sent soon.
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Understanding Your Options in Cancer Care: Omico’s 2025 Genomics Education Events for Patients, Families, and Carers
Cancer & Genomics Webinar #2, Thursday, 6 February 2025,1:00 – 2:15 PM AEDT
Join us for this interactive webinar focussing on the fundamentals of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), its role in precision oncology, and what modern-day clinical trials involve. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions of the panel including genomics experts, clinicians, nurses and patients. To register, simply click here.
In February, we’ll also debut Cancer Meets Its Match with Omico, an 8-episode podcast series that delves even further into these topics and the role they play in contemporary cancer care, through conversations with researchers, doctors, patients, and advocacy groups. For more information about these initiatives and to register the for webinar, simply click the button below. | | | | | | | | | |
Empowering Patients with Knowledge: Meet the People That Matched
Our Meet the People that Matched campaign is informing Australians with hard-to-treat cancers about comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and precision oncology. Through courageous stories of 4 individuals who have experienced CGP and treatment matching, this initiative brings hope and options to patients and families navigating advanced cancer care.
Since its August 2024 launch, it has reached over 1.8 million Australians aged 45+, with robust engagement across Facebook, Instagram, and our website. Audiences have viewed videos, downloaded the information booklet, and accessed the FAQ. The 2 most visited questions highlight the campaign's practical value: - "If my cancer is not curable, why would I bother with CGP and treatment matching?" CGP can optimise treatment plans, reduce side effects, and manage symptoms, offering ways to extend life and maintain quality of life, even when a cure isn’t possible.
- "Is my type of cancer eligible for CaSP?" Omico’s Cancer Screening Program (CaSP) is available to individuals aged 16+ with advanced, incurable or poor-prognosis cancers. CGP offers insights into targeted treatments or clinical trials based on a tumour’s unique genetic profile. Speak with your oncologist to determine if CaSP is right for you.
For more detailed responses, please access our FAQ here by clicking the button below.
This campaign continues until 20 December. To access the campaign resources, visit Patients and Families page by clicking here.
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