Irish medtech firm develops ‘powerful new tool' for cancer management
Dublin-headquartered OncoAssure revealed their Novel Prostate Cancer Prognostic Test at the American Urological Association's (AUA) 2025 annual meeting in Nevada, Las Vegas this week.
It is now available on the US market, allowing clinicians to offer improved personalised prostate cancer management services.
The prognostic test designed to 'support clinical decision-making for men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer' the firm explained.
Des O'Leary, CEO and co-founder of OncoAssure, pictured at NovaUCD in Dublin, (Pic: Vincent Hoban, UCD)
'The novel test helps assess the risk of aggressive disease and disease recurrence and can be used at two key decision points in the prostate cancer pathway, post-biopsy and post-surgery,' they added.
'By integrating advanced genomic insights with clinical data, OncoAssure Prostate provides a more accurate assessment of disease prognosis, empowering physicians, along with their patients, to make more precise and personalized treatment decisions.'
OncoAssure CEO Des O'Leary said the launch represents a "major milestone in the commercialisation of the test in the US market'.
'Access to prognostic testing remains limited for many patients in the US, making the launch of OncoAssure Prostate especially timely,' he added.
'This test addresses a critical need by providing reliable information to distinguish between aggressive and low-risk forms of prostate cancer, helping to reduce overtreatment and improve patient outcomes.'
Mr O'Leary further revealed that the firm is now focusing on developing their next product - a prognostic test for skin melanoma.
Founded by Mr O'Leary and Professor William Gallagher in 2021, OncoAssure is headquartered at NovaUCD.
See More: Dublin, Nevada, NovaUCD, OncoAssure, Prostate Cancer, US
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
30 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
EU-US trade agreement: The dust has settled, but not everyone is happy
Key parameters regarding trade deals were agreed on this week between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump. A 15% tariff on EU imports into the US has left some camps divided. The agreed-upon tariff comes as a reduction from the originally proposed 30% made by the Trump administration earlier this year. The deal is still in its infancy, and a more itemised agreement must be drafted and agreed upon for EU and US trade. In 2024, Ireland exported nearly €2bn worth of food and drink products to the US. The American market is an important destination for Irish products and accounts for approximately 11% of Ireland's total food and drink exports. Within the €2bn figure, €830m is attributed to dairy, and €900m for drinks such as whiskey, which accounts for 91% of what Ireland exports to the US. It is currently unclear whether spirits will be subjected to the new 15% tariff rate agreed upon. Ireland also exports pig meat (€23m), beef (€8.8m) and seafood (€3.8m). The Irish agricultural industry may not benefit as much as other sectors, which are currently taking a sigh of relief at the current negotiations. Mentions of a 'zero-for-zero' tariff rate to be applied on certain products were announced; however, what those products would be exactly is unknown. Department of Agriculture Speaking on the announced trade deal, minister for agriculture, Martin Heydon, said: 'The United States is the second most important market for Irish agri-food, with exports valued at €2 billion last year. Ireland's strong trading relationship with the US has mutual benefits for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. "Since April, our food and drink businesses have faced major uncertainty around future US trade policy. This agreement means an end to that uncertainty and avoids the very significant threats associated with a No-Deal scenario.' The minister also mentioned that the now confirmed tariffs would particularly benefit Irish butter exports, which have been subjected to an additional tariff rate of 10% stacked on the pre-existing tariff of 16% since April this year. Minister of state with responsibility for food promotion and new markets, Noel Grealish, added: 'I welcome this outcome, which will give certainty to Irish food and drink businesses exporting to the US market. Together with Minister Heydon, my department and Bord Bia, I will continue to support new market development and market access efforts for our quality, sustainable food and drink products.' These positive sentiments are not experienced across the board, with MEP Ciaran Mullooly criticising the news of the deal. In a press release on Monday, the MEP said: 'By any stretch of the imagination, this is not a good deal for Ireland… I'm not sure how the Irish Government could call this a good deal: it's certainly not for Irish companies.' Dairy Industry Ireland With the dairy industry operating on an all-island basis, there is uncertainty about how the tariffs will fare between the different jurisdictions of the UK and the EU. The North is set to operate on the UK tariff level of 10% tariffs for imports into the US, whereas the Republic will now be operating under the agreed 15% tariffs of the EU. Speaking on the news, Director of Dairy Industry Ireland, Conor Mulvihill, said: 'While the simplification of the new tariff structure, as set out in the deal, will make it easier for the sector to manage, we remain concerned about the broader implications of any tariff border on the island of Ireland. "The dairy industry operates on an all-island basis, with integrated supply chains and cross-border trade in raw milk, ingredients, and finished products. Any divergence in tariff treatment between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could introduce complexity, cost, and uncertainty for processors and farmers alike.' Mr Mulvihill highlighted the need for clarity on the potential 'zero-for-zero' tariffs for products, saying: 'We also note the reference to a potential zero-for-zero tariff category for certain agricultural products. Dairy Industry Ireland encourages the Government and EU institutions to seek clarity on whether Irish dairy products could be included in this list, which would offer further opportunities for growth in the US market.' IFA The IFA have pushed back against the current agreement, saying that it will only present further challenges for Irish farming families. 'While the proposed tariff rate of 15% is lower than the threatened 30% rate, it still represents a significant challenge for the Irish agri-sector on a number of fronts. We are still awaiting the finer details of the agreement, but given Ireland's reliance on the US market, both in agriculture and beyond, its impact will be significant on Irish farm families, both directly and indirectly,' said IFA President Francie Gorman. Re-emphasising the disparity and unfairness to Irish farmers when compared to their UK counterparts, Mr Gorman said: 'The UK, which struck a 10% tariff deal, now benefits from a lower tariff than Ireland, making them more competitive in the US market compared to Irish goods. It also means a differential tariff between exports north and south of the border. 'From an Irish and European farmer perspective, the cost of any additional tariffs will ultimately be borne by the primary producer. It's against the backdrop of a potentially devastating Mercusor trade deal, along with plans to massively cut the EU CAP budget. "Yet again, we are left with the potential for farmers to be the fall guys on the back of EU trade and policy developments,' concluded Mr Gorman.
Irish Examiner
30 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Forestry and fisheries sectors to get €160m boost under revised development plan
An additional €160m is to be spread over 2026-2030, and will be directed towards TAMS for forestry, fishery, harbour centres, and seafood development. This comes after the publication of a revised National Development Plan (NDP), which has been welcomed by minister for agriculture Martin Heydon. The revised NDP sets out the department's five-year money allocation plan. The NDP aims to support economic, social, and environmental development in rural and coastal communities. Mr Heydon said: 'The NDP allocation that I secured for my department will contribute to improved competitiveness, including through research and innovation, capital investment at the industry level to support international market diversification, and investment to meet climate and environmental obligations.'' Investing in TAMS is a key priority for the department. This investment supports competitiveness on Irish farms, generational renewal and supports slurry storage that will be a critical component in supporting the case for the renewal of the Nitrates Derogation. Funds will also help forestry minister Michael Healy-Rae to fund the Forestry Windblow Reconstruction Scheme, which relates to damage caused by Storms Darragh and Éowyn, which extends to 25,750 hectares of forestry, of which 11,600 hectares are in private ownership. Speaking on the revised funds, Mr Healy-Rae said: 'These additional funds will support the department in addressing forestry window damage due to Storms Darragh and Éowyn. The Forest Windblow Taskforce that I established earlier this year has been calling for funds on this, and I am delighted that this has been reflected by the Government in the NDP allocation to my department.'' Additional funds here will assist fisheries minister Timmy Dooley to prioritise the development of Howth and Ros an Mhíl harbours, which are currently major development projects. Once completed, these improvements aim to improve the viability and sustainability of the seafood sector. Mr Dooley said 'This funding will ensure the continued development of Howth Harbour and Ros an Mhíl, as funds have already been expended on these projects. Howth Harbour is already facing operational difficulties, with some vessels being diverted to Dún Laoghaire due to their inability to safely enter the harbour. Unless it is dredged, Howth Harbour will become inaccessible to fishing boats, the RNLI and other harbour users.'' Mr Heydon said: 'This plan is ambitious, and investment is required to fulfil this ambition. Public capital investments in the agri-food sector will seek to support the sustainable development of the sector in accordance with the ambition in Food Vision 2030 and the new CAP regulations. "The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric of Ireland. Our world-class food and drink companies continue to bring high quality and distinctive produce to global markets. This sector will continue to deliver food security for Ireland and other countries. This is needed more than ever in the current economic climate of tariffs.''
Irish Times
30 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Landlord Marc Godart must wait until September for ruling on taking over Dublin pub licence
Landlord Marc Godart is to learn in September if a city fire officer will sign off on him taking over a Dublin pub's licence. The Luxembourg businessman, now based in Latvia, brought a transfer application to Dublin District Court two weeks ago, but still had to complete some outstanding work and needed the council official's findings. His firm's barrister, Dorothy Collins, updated the court on Wednesday that the case could be further adjourned and it will resume on September 3rd. She had said earlier that the application was in order but was subject to the fire officer's consent and report. READ MORE In past unrelated proceedings at the District Court, firms linked to the businessman have faced multiple legal issues over property lettings in Dublin. In his licensing case, he sought a certificate of transfer of the licence for Cleary's Pub, Sarsfield Road in Inchicore. Inchicore Parkview Residence Limited made the application, and Mr Godart gave evidence on July 16th in his capacity as a director. At the previous hearing of the application, Ms Collins had asked Judge Máire Conneely to hear the evidence and then to defer ruling on the basis that the fire officer had 'requested that there are certain works to be done' and needed to provide a report. The judge heard then that Mr Godart had travelled from abroad and would only be in Dublin for a day. Counsel had said there had been 'a lot of negotiation with the fire officer who has inspected the premises and required certain works to be done'. She added that paperwork had to be completed and the proceedings ought to be postponed to satisfy the council official. Inchicore Parkview Residence Limited's barrister presented the judge with a booklet of documents, including the previous licensee's certificate, an advertisement published in a national newspaper, a certificate of incorporation, and the deed of transfer. The judge heard that the pub licence had expired last year, but an application could still be made for a late certificate of transfer. In evidence, Mr Godart had agreed with Ms Collins that he had been negotiating with the fire officer. He had engaged a consultant to do whatever was necessary to satisfy the official. Asked if he had any experience running a public house, he said he had managed the building for six months. He clarified 'that's correct' when put to him that he did not intend to run the pub, the application was to preserve the licence, and concurred that he had 'a tenant lined up, but they won't take it over unless there is a licence.' Mr Godart said it had been vacant since closing at the beginning of this year. Judge Conneely noted from the company's report that Mr Godart resided in Latvia and that he did not intend to live in the pub itself, which he confirmed while in the witness box.
