Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX: PIQ) - OxiDx Validated as a Predictor of Race Performance in Australian Thoroughbred Horses
- Noel Ong
- 12 hours ago
- 6 min read
Announcement
OxiDx test correlates with superior racehorse performance 24 November 2025 (click here to view the announcement)
Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX: PIQ) has released new performance data from its majority-owned subsidiary, OxiDx Pty Ltd, in collaboration with The University of Western Australia. The findings were presented at the Australian Physiological Society (AuPS) Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney, Australia, confirming that Thoroughbred racehorses competing without oxidative stress were significantly more likely to perform at higher levels.
With oxidative stress (Figure 1) long associated with muscle damage, impaired recovery, and a higher risk of injury, this dataset provides early but compelling validation for the OxiDx blood test as a performance and welfare tool in the horse racing sector.
Figure 1: What is Oxidative Stress? (source: PIQ)
The Business of the Proteomics International Laboratories: Focus – Projects
Proteomics International Laboratories (PILL) is building a diversified precision diagnostics pipeline. Within this portfolio, OxiDx is a key commercialisation pathway focused on high-performance sports and animal welfare markets.
Projects within this business segment include:
Commercialisation of the OxiDx oxidative stress blood test (Figure 2), initially targeting the Thoroughbred racing industry.
Long-term expansion into elite human athletics.
Ongoing R&D collaborations with the University of Western Australia.
Deployment of patented, ratio-metric biomarker quantification using dried blood spot technology.
Figure 2: The OxiDx test (source: PIQ)
This new data strengthens the scientific validation underpinning the OxiDx commercialisation pathway.
About OxiDx
OxiDx Pty Ltd is a 66% owned subsidiary of Proteomics International based in Perth, Western Australia, focused on commercialising an oxidative stress blood test developed with The University of Western Australia.
Uses a patented dried-blood-spot test to detect systemic oxidative stress via precise ratio-metric measurement of protein biomarkers.
Targets high-performance athletes and the Thoroughbred horse racing industry as initial markets.
Supports assessment of muscle damage, recovery from exercise, and broader health status, with oxidative stress implicated in more than 70 health conditions.
Together, these elements position OxiDx as a specialised diagnostic platform aimed at performance management and welfare-focused monitoring.
Highlights – Strong Correlation Between Oxidative Stress and Race Performance
(Figure 3)
88% of top-three finishers raced without oxidative stress, demonstrating a clear correlation with superior performance.
Horses without oxidative stress were 76% more likely to place and 49% more likely to win than horses showing oxidative stress.
OxiDx’s blood test detects a highly sensitive oxidative stress biomarker (thiol-oxidised albumin) linked to muscle damage and poor recovery.
A study of 75 horses across 216 races found oxidative stress increased with consecutive racing, rising from 24% pre-first race to 53% after three races.
Injuries remain a major issue in the sector—85% of Thoroughbreds sustain at least one injury during their 2–3-year-old seasons.
The findings highlight OxiDx’s potential to assist in performance optimisation and welfare initiatives.
Figure 3: Race performance vs oxidative stress (source: PIQ)
Leadership Commentary
Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe commented:
“These results confirm that the first-in-class OxiDx test delivers a unique insight into the physiological readiness of racehorses. By detecting oxidative stress, trainers are better positioned to optimise race performance while maintaining high standards of horse welfare.”
About the Project
The OxiDx project focuses on commercialising oxidative stress detection technology originally developed with the University of Western Australia. The test measures thiol-oxidised albumin, a biomarker tightly linked to muscle damage and inadequate recovery.
Key project elements include:
Development of a simple dried-blood-spot test allowing field collection within one minute.
Establishing baselines for each horse, enabling precise monitoring across racing cycles (Figure 4).
Conducting clinical studies across 75 horses from seven stables to quantify links between oxidative stress and performance.
Benchmarking musculoskeletal injury risk and recovery patterns.
Figure 4: Baseline biomarker charts, sample collection process (source: PIQ)
Figure 5 summarises how routine OxiDx testing can support training optimisation, race scheduling, performance enhancement, and improved welfare for both human and equine athletes.
Figure 5: Applications of the OxiDx Test (source: PIQ)
Near-term Milestones to Watch
Finalisation of partnering agreements within the Thoroughbred industry (Australia and overseas).
Commercial launch planning for equine applications.
Expansion of OxiDx testing into elite human athletes following equine rollout.
Continued publication and presentation of validation studies in peer-reviewed research outlets.
How Samso Understands the Investment Memo for the Company
This announcement reinforces OxiDx as one of the more commercially practical assets within the broader PIQ portfolio. The equine racing market is large, performance-driven, and increasingly aligned with data-based management. Clear performance correlation gives OxiDx a strong narrative, but adoption curves in traditional industries can be slow, and early commercial momentum will depend heavily on industry partnerships.
For PIQ shareholders, this validates scientific progress but also highlights the need for funding, strategic alignment, and disciplined execution as the project moves toward commercialisation.
Samso Concluding Comments
From my perspective, the OxiDx test enters a sector where performance margins are small and where any measurable physiological insight can shift competitive outcomes. Strong statistical significance across multiple racing cycles suggests a reliable pattern rather than a coincidental outcome. The fact that oxidative stress increases markedly with consecutive races also indicates a real management challenge within stables. This is where OxiDx comes in with a simple, field-friendly test that will easily address the issue.
As investors, we are acutely aware that translating scientific insight into industry behaviour is never straightforward. The racing industry is a very traditional and conservative sector that is collared with regulations that balance tradition, economics, and animal welfare, and new diagnostics will need champions within the sector to drive adoption. The partnering discussions will be central to establishing OxiDx as part of standard race preparation and recovery protocols. Without these partnerships, adoption may remain piecemeal.
Funding and resourcing remain important considerations. Although the market opportunity is large—Australia alone represents a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem—early deployment will require strategic investment. Trainers, owners, and racing authorities will need clear use-case demonstrations, commercial pricing models, and operational scaling plans before widespread rollout occurs.
Nonetheless, this announcement represents a solid step forward. The alignment of strong data, clear welfare implications, and a practical field-ready test positions OxiDx as a technology worth watching over the coming seasons.
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