Melbourne breast cancer trial to test Optiscan imaging device
The groundbreaking clinical study will utilise Optiscan's InVue microscopic precision surgery device, as well as its InForm digital pathology imaging system, to create a new, improved treatment regimen for breast cancer patients.
The company will investigate the clinical workflow and real-time imaging capabilities of the two platforms in its first in-human breast cancer study. Optiscan will use data from the trial in its submissions for United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration for the devices.
Surgeons will use the InVue device during surgery to capture live imaging data from a woman's breast tissue after removing a tumour. It will provide the surgical team with immediate feedback on tumour clearance, ensuring there is a margin of healthy breast tissue around the site where the tumour was removed.
Achieving a clear surgical margin, where no cancerous cells are left at the edges of the removed tissue, is critical to a patient's long-term health outcome but poses a significant surgical challenge.
'We believe our innovative real-time microscopic imaging platform represents a genuine breakthrough in surgical cancer management by bringing live cellular imaging to the bedside.'
Optiscan Imaging chief executive officer and managing director Dr Camile Farah
Using topical dyes, the removed tissue will then be examined with the InForm device to back up the InVue imaging. The additional InForm pathology data will be fed back into the company's imaging and pathology workflows ahead of its FDA application.
The study will also incorporate InForm imaging of tissue samples taken chairside or from pathology laboratories to match its other ex vivo patient data. InForm can assess new tissue samples quickly and accurately with high resolution and magnification.
While each device was designed to operate independently, Optiscan says it purposefully included both in the trial to maximise data collection, minimise the need to recruit patients into further trials and accelerate its regulatory submissions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Biocurious: Clinical trial readouts show road to approval can be as exciting as the destination
In the medical device sector, sometimes trial news can excite investors more than the approval endgame At the application stage, devices have a much higher chance of being approved than drugs Investors can expect news from several companies with pivotal or late-stage trials For a drug or device maker, there's no prouder moment than when a health regulator – especially the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – approves their product to be unleashed on unsuspecting patients. It's like watching your kid graduate – and you can even tolerate the long-winded speeches. But don't confuse this coming-of-age moment with being the ultimate share price catalyst. For investors, the 'ker-ching' can be much earlier, such as with trial progress or even the FDA granting permission to begin a study. For instance, PainChek (ASX:PCK) shares had a nice run last October, after a positive validation study that supported the pain measurement app maker's US approval application. In late June Blinklab (ASX:BB1) shares soared after the autism test developer won ethics approval for a 1000-patient US trial. In the case of devices, FDA device approval tends to be less of a dramatic moment than for a drug go-ahead, because the chances of success are much higher. Most applicants avail of the 510(k) route, which means that a device only needs to be substantially equivalent to a legal equivalent. According to the contract research organisation Bioaccess, the FDA processes around 10,000 510(k) applications annually, with an approval rate of around 90%. Review times are also shorter: 120 days compared with 420 days for the de novo (new device) route. Here are some device (or quasi device) plays with advanced trials – typically- pivotal ones – that could move the share price dial. Emvision runs with Emu trial EMvision Medical Devices (ASX:EMV) in enrolling up to 300 suspected stroke victims in a pivotal trial of its stroke detection device Emu, across six local and US sites. Emu is a portable bedside scanning unit that's much lighter than a conventional computed tomography (CT) unit. The company is also developing an even small version, First Responder. As its name suggests, this one's for ambulance use. The trial sites are all high calibre research centres handling high stroke volumes. The stroke patients will receive the standard of care and an Emu scan. Given the device is a trail blazer, Emvision is girding for approval under the de novo route. After that, the company hopes the agency will approve First Responder approval under the 510(k) channel. Emu/First Responder will determine whether a stroke is a blockage (ischaemic)or a bleed (hemorrhagic). This will decide the type of treatment and it's crucial to get the diagnosis right. The company expects a six-to-12-month recruitment period. Micro-X also is on strike with strokes Meanwhile, x-ray imaging house Micro-X (ASX:MX1) plans to launch trails of its portable stroke unit, Head CT, across three local hospitals in the current half. The trials will entail suspected stroke victims being subject to standard CT imaging, then overlaid with the Micro-X scan that deploys a more effective 'cold cathode' method. Aiming for 'several hundred' scans, the studies only need to prove that the Micro-X tech is just as good as the conventional ones, Funded by $8 million from the Australian Stroke Alliance, the study supports a proposed 510(k) application next year, in view of a US launch in 2027. The company expects the trials to run for nine months. Micro-X had multiple applications for its tech, bomb and baggage screening. As part of a 'strategy re-set' the company is focused on medical applications. Micro-X has commercialised two mobile digital radiology devices: the first-generation Nano and a sturdier iteration called Rover. Heart patients move like Jagger In the past, heart patients too old or too sick for surgical aortic valve replacement – or open-heart surgery – in effect were given a death sentence. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures enable malfunctioning valves to be replaced in a non-invasive, 20-minute procedure. TAVR recipients include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mick Jagger – and they're still rockin'. TAVR also applies to replacing artificial valves that have an effective operating life of five years or so. Anteris Technologies (ASX:AVR) is on track to commence a pivotal trial of its Duravr device in the current quarter, pending FDA approval. The company says it's qualified 79 sites globally for the trial, which will enroll patients with a 'broad array of risk profiles'. The trial will be designed to provide the 'primary clinical evidence' for the FDA to mull premarket approval. In parallel, Anteris is pursuing European clearance. More than Imagion-ation Shares also can pop on the strength of trial approval alone. In the drug/device sphere, Imagion Biosystems (ASX:IBX) awaits clearance to carry out a phase II study of its cancer imaging agent, Magsense for Her-2 positive beast cancers. For use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Magsense improves cancer detection by adding 'molecular specificity'. In lay terms, this avoids painful, error-prone biopsies. This month, Imagion formed an alliance with Michigan's Wayne State University School of Medicine. In part, the institution's MRI gurus will help to devise an optimal dose to be used in the study. Trip the light fantastic Invion (ASX:IVX) highlights how the trial journey, rather than the destination can evoke investor excitement. Invion is advancing photodynamic therapy (PDT) for tumor types including non-melanoma skin cancers and ano-genital cancers. Someone has to do it. The idea is that light-activated photosensitisers leave the healthy tissue unharmed, but zap the diseased stuff. Thus, PTD is a promising non-toxic, non-invasive alternative to chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Invion shares early last December rocketed more than 300% after the company said it had enrolled its first patient in its Queensland based phase I/II skin cancer trial. The adaptive study now is poised to enter is second stage. The next Sirtex? OncoSil Medical (ASX:OSL) is equated with a less developed version of the targeted liver cancer radiation treatment house Sirtex, acquired for $1.9 billion in 2018 by Chinese interests. Relative commercial immaturity aside, Oncosil targets the difficult pancreatic cancer. Oncosil is trialling its eponymous targeted treatment with the standard-of-care chemo, Folfirinix. The study, TRIPP-FFX, has completed recruitment and investors should expect data in early 2026. The study pertains to patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial has recruited 'at least' 88 patients across 15 local and European hospitals. So - there you have it. While bonanza share gains are never guaranteed, investors know where to look for surprise pit stops along the circuitous approval journey.

News.com.au
10 hours ago
- News.com.au
Closing Bell: ASX mugged by healthcare losses, down 0.7pc as sector freefalls
ASX bulls take a breath as market falls 0.7pc Healthcare leads losses, down 8.7pc Biotech heavyweight CSL suffers worst single day losses in decades Healthcare sector in need of resuscitation The ASX has given up its bull rush for the moment, retreating 0.7% or 63 points from all-time highs. All fingers are pointing to healthcare as the culprit, down a shocking 8.73% in a single day. Energy wasn't helping matters either, shedding 2.2%. There were signs of life in telecoms, info tech and our top banking stocks, but it wasn't enough to offset the red side of the ledger. Earnings season loses a bit of shine We're in the thick of full-year results season on the ASX, and things are looking a little less rosy than they were last week. Our own Eddy Sunarto gave us the lowdown on CSL's absolutely brutal sell down in the Lunch Wrap, but things have gotten even worse for the biotech since, with shares falling 16.8% to $225.50 each. If you're looking for the deets on BHP, Deterra Royalites, Woodside Energy, Seek or Judo Capital Holdings, he's got you covered. And if you want an even more granular take on BHP, read this morning's breakdown from Josh Chiat, here > Now, let's dive into the afternoon's reports. The good, the bad and the ugly SRG Global (ASX:SRG) shares rose 8.4% in trade to $1.74 each after putting in a solid financial performance for FY25, lifting earnings per share 34% to 10.3c each and EBITDA 29% to 127.1m. The diversified infrastructure company's forward outlook is looking bright as well, forecasting EBITDA growth of about 10% in FY26 compared to this year. Monadelphous Group (ASX:MND) lifted revenue 12% to $2.27 billion this year, also achieving a 34.6% uptick in net profit to $83.7 million. MND's shares lifted 4.2% to $21.12 each in response, perhaps in part to a tasty 72c per share dividend, up 24% from last year, with earnings per share reaching 85c. MyState (ASX:MYS) had a bit more of a mixed response to its performance, with shares ticking up just 0.55% to $4.58 each. The financial stock improved underlying profit after tax by 17% to $41.3 million, but costs also rose 3.7% across MYS's MyState Bank and TPT Wealth sectors. Including Auswide Bank, the group's total operating expenses were $127m. That said, MYS customer home loans grew 62% over the period to $12.9 billion and customer deposits by 71% to $10.1 billion. MyState is offering a final dividend of 11c a share, up from 10.5c in H1FY25. Reliance Worldwide Corporation (ASX:RWC) shares tumbled 6.96% after the plumbing supplier flagged uncertainty for its near-term outlook, declining to offer revenue or earnings guidance for the 2026 financial year. RWC expects to take some damage from US tariffs, forecasting a US$25-$30 million hit to earnings. That said, the company's full-year net profits did rise 13.5% over FY25 to US$125 million, with adjusted EBITDA rising 1.1% to US US$277.7 million. RWC is offering a dividend of 5c a share. ASX Leaders Today's best performing stocks (including small caps): Code Name Last % Change Volume Market Cap MGTRG Magnetite Mines - Rights 0.031 675% 4776110 $163,410 ITM Itech Minerals Ltd 0.072 112% 30046859 $5,808,403 MTL Mantle Minerals Ltd 0.002 100% 2542330 $6,447,446 NTM Nt Minerals Limited 0.002 100% 22379052 $1,210,903 SFG Seafarms Group Ltd 0.002 100% 578305 $4,836,599 RGT Argent Biopharma Ltd 0.15 74% 1893170 $6,207,751 MGT Magnetite Mines 0.12 69% 14011589 $8,701,599 IVX Invion Ltd 0.145 56% 891360 $7,965,176 HCD Hydrocarbon Dynamics 0.003 50% 692649 $2,156,219 MOM Moab Minerals Ltd 0.0015 50% 554111 $1,874,666 JAY Jayride Group 0.007 40% 3530276 $7,139,445 MBK Metal Bank Ltd 0.014 40% 1648531 $4,974,590 1AD Adalta Limited 0.004 33% 39782324 $3,463,949 ECT Env Clean Tech Ltd. 0.004 33% 1053151 $12,046,306 HLX Helix Resources 0.002 33% 33039035 $5,046,291 LNR Lanthanein Resources 0.067 29% 1315810 $9,741,893 CAQ CAQ Holdings Ltd 0.009 29% 23 $5,024,504 SRJ SRJ Technologies 0.009 29% 2185984 $7,286,318 LMG Latrobe Magnesium 0.028 27% 12878283 $57,958,981 SNX Sierra Nevada Gold 0.025 25% 2405458 $3,293,182 IMI Infinitymining 0.01 25% 315007 $3,384,126 MSI Multistack Internat. 0.005 25% 469878 $545,216 PRX Prodigy Gold NL 0.0025 25% 10983586 $13,483,725 TKL Traka Resources 0.0025 25% 12620000 $4,844,278 TMK TMK Energy Limited 0.0025 25% 99500 $20,444,766 In the news… Magnetite Mines (ASX:MGT) has zeroed in on clay-hosted rare earth mineralisation at the Ironback Hill project, next door to MGT's magnetite iron ore deposit. Magnetite's re-analysis of previous drilling revealed total rare earth oxide results up to 1153 parts per million, which management reckons warrants some low-cost follow up exploration. Argent Biopharma (ASX:RGT) is in the process of acquiring the core operating assets and IP of AusCann Group Holdings Ltd, including the Neuvis proprietary SEDDS drug delivery platform. The acquisition will also include any related intellectual property, a 48% shareholding in CannPal Animal Therapeutics Pty Ltd and AC8's 19.99% shareholding in ECC Pharm Ltd. RGT says it's a key step in meeting the financial and qualitative requirements for a planned US national listing for the company. iTech Minerals (ASX:ITM) is riding the antimony gravy train, identifying two fresh 300m zones of high-grade antimony at the Reynolds Range project in the Northern Territory. The company also identified coincident gold, assaying up to 24 g/t from surface sampling. ITM's historical geological data suggests the zones may be about 14m thick, grading up to 30.6% antimony (Sb) in rock chips at the Sabre prospect and up to 15.9% Sb at Falchion. The company is moving to obtain drilling approvals to test all three identified antimony targets at Reynolds later this year. ASX Laggards Today's worst performing stocks (including small caps): Code Name Last % Change Volume Market Cap AQX Alice Queen Ltd 0.003 -25% 100001 $5,538,785 CR9 Corellares 0.003 -25% 1296010 $4,029,079 M2R Miramar 0.003 -25% 4750000 $3,987,293 ROG Red Sky Energy. 0.003 -25% 369717 $21,688,909 MPP Metro Ltd 0.03 -25% 472056 $7,415,123 8CO 8Common Limited 0.02 -23% 300851 $5,826,467 FNX Finexia Financialgrp 0.14 -22% 75000 $11,214,714 AOK Australian Oil. 0.002 -20% 115000 $2,594,457 ERA Energy Resources 0.002 -20% 3716953 $1,013,490,602 MRD Mount Ridley Mines 0.004 -20% 1771749 $4,476,312 RWL Rubicon Water 0.17 -19% 600 $50,545,971 CSL CSL Limited 225.5 -17% 5026031 $131,376,433,212 FL1 First Lithium Ltd 0.1 -17% 179827 $9,558,432 JAV Javelin Minerals Ltd 0.0025 -17% 16206856 $18,756,675 MTB Mount Burgess Mining 0.01 -17% 11051070 $5,107,660 PIL Peppermint Inv Ltd 0.0025 -17% 1435000 $6,994,230 SER Strategic Energy 0.005 -17% 297800 $5,020,150 NME Nex Metals Explorat 0.022 -15% 9013 $8,717,339 FRB Firebird Metals 0.145 -15% 570632 $24,201,438 ANX Anax Metals Ltd 0.006 -14% 218880 $6,179,653 NWM Norwest Minerals 0.012 -14% 1597355 $14,421,497 PFM Platformo Ltd 0.06 -14% 26667 $6,643,581 RLG Roolife Group Ltd 0.006 -14% 2677143 $11,149,469 RNX Renegade Exploration 0.003 -14% 5180000 $5,608,272 M79 Mammothmineralsltd 0.099 -14% 509060 $51,235,717 In Case You Missed It Mammoth Minerals (ASX:M79) has rebranded and kicked off exploration at the newly acquired Excelsior Springs and Bella projects in the US. Star Minerals' (ASX:SMS) infill drilling has increased the confidence in the geological continuity of resources at its Tumblegum South gold project near Meekatharra, WA. Magnetic Resources (ASX:MAU) has taken in a $35 million backing for a strategic placement to drive its Lady Julie gold project into production. Asra Minerals (ASX:ASR) has hit 14m at 7.49g/t gold in initial RC drilling at Leonora South near Kookynie in WA, confirming shallow mineralisation. Miramar Resources (ASX:M2R) has uncovered shallow gold results from aircore drilling at the 8 Mile prospect, pointing to potential northward extensions of mineralisation. Trigg Minerals (ASX:TMG) has acquired 20 new mining claims in Utah's Antimony Canyon in a bid to tap into US interest in domestic antimony production. Trading halts Right then, to roughly paraphrase that noted financial analyst Porky Pig… "EBITDA, EBITDA, EBITDA… that's all folks."

News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Huge change': ASX falls as CSL announces new business plan
Australia's sharemarket snapped a six-day winning streak after pharmaceutical giant CSL had its worst day of trading on record after announcing a disappointing earnings update. The ASX 200 index dropped 63.10 points or 0.70 per cent to 8,896.20 while the broader All Ordinaries fell 59.70 points or 0.65 per cent to 9,173.80 The Australian dollar slipped 0.14 per cent to 64.85 US cents. Seven of the 11 sectors ended higher but a slump in the healthcare sector led to the market downturn. Healthcare stocks fell 8.73 per cent, led by CSL shares which slumped 16.89 to $225.50 its biggest ever one day fall, despite reporting underlying profits were up 14 per cent to $3.3bn. This was a fall of around $21bn in market cap. Shares plunged in the healthcare giant after it announced it would cut 3000 global roles costing $770m initially before helping the business save $500m-$550m over three years. CSL also announced its intention to demerge its influenza prevention vaccines-focused unit known as Seqirus into a separate ASX-listed business in 2026. It will also combine the commercial and medical operations of its core blood plasma and iron deficiency businesses into one unit. eToro market analyst Josh Gilbert said while the restructuring comes with a sizeable one off cost, the move is expected to sharpen the group's focus on its high-growth plasma and kidney care business. 'For investors, the view here is that CSL is trying to create a clearer business structure and improve investor returns. However, markets hate uncertainty, and this shake-up brings plenty of it,' he said. 'These are huge changes that come with execution risk, and in my view, the market will react poorly to the news short term.' Australia's second-biggest company BHP jumped 1.57 per cent to $42.12 after the business delivered its latest financial update. The company reported underlying profits of $US10.2bn ($A15.7bn), a 26 per cent fall compared with last year. Revenues came in at $US51.3bn ($A79bn), an 8 per cent fall in 2024. Despite falls in revenue and earnings, chief executive Mike Henry called the results 'a strong performance'. 'FY25 was another strong year for BHP, marked by record production, continued sector-leading margins and disciplined capital allocation,' he said. 'Safety remains our highest priority and we achieved year-on-year improvements across key metrics.' Shares in iron ore rivals Rio Tinto and Fortescue were down 0.22 and 0.15 per cent respectively. Financials were a brighter spot, with all four banks gaining. CBA added 0.51 per cent to $171.05, Westpac gained 0.65 per cent to $37.31, NAB jumped 0.77 per cent to $40.54 and ANZ finished 0.61 per cent higher to $32.77. In company news, Seek was one of strongest performers on the ASX 200 after it announced an increase in revenue despite fewer job ads, leading to a 7.99 per cent bounce to $27.72. Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories ARB shares marched 8.55 per cent higher to $39.49 after the business told the market sales revenue was up 5.3 per cent to $729.9m, while net profits after tax were down 5 per cent to $97.5m. Judo Capital also eked out a gain of 0.29 per cent to $1.75 after full-year profits were up 24 per cent to $86.4m, on the back of a lift to its all important net interest margin. Reliance Worldwide shares fell 6.74 per cent to $4.29 despite the business announcing sales were up 5.5 per cent and reported net earnings after tax jumped 13.5 per cent to $US125m ($192m).