Latest news with #DavidAtkins
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Biocurious: Rhythm gets into the groove of predicting and preventing cancer
Rhythm Biosciences has expanded its original remit of bowel cancer to diagnosing other cancers early in the piece The company late last year acquired the Genetype platform from the administrators of Genetic Technologies Rhythm is developing its blood-based bowel cancer assay Colostat as a laboratory test Cancer diagnostics house Rhythm Biosciences (ASX:RHY) goes by the age-old seamstress lore that a stitch in time saves nine. In the case of common cancers, treating them later is much more expensive than if they are detected early. 'Without screening, cancers are diagnosed at late stage, by which time the cost of treatment is much greater,' says Rhythm CEO Dr David Atkins. In the case of bowel cancer, Australians aged between 50 and 75 are eligible for a free biennial test, delivered to their door. One problem is fewer than half of the 'poo tests' – more formally known as faecal occult tests (FOTs) – are returned. The program is costly to run. Another is that the disease increasingly is being detected in the under 50s, which account for 20% of all cases. The reasons are unclear. One hypothesis is exposure to a particular e-coli toxin in early childhood, possibly more prolific because of antibiotics use, caesarean births or probiotics. Others blame wheat-based diets. 'We have good screening programs, but the economics are such that we can't really go below 50 years old,'' Atkins says. Getting into the Rhythm Rhythm is working on a double-banger solution to early detection not just of bowel cancer – its original remit – but other tumours as well. The company has been developing Colostat, a minimally invasive blood-based test that detects certain protein biomarkers. The tech had its origins from within the hallowed halls of the CSIRO, more than two decades ago. 'Our goal is to provide a simple inexpensive lab-based test that will be equivalent to the stool-based test for the symptomatic patient,' Atkins says. Late last year Rhythm acquired a testing platform, Genetype, from the administrators of the failed listed Genetic Technologies. Genetype tests an individual's genetic propensity to get cancer. 'The two platforms work hand in hand,' Atkins says. 'Genetype is the earliest possible point at which you can detect disease, while Colostat is able to detect disease once it has actually formed.' For many people, FOT is not the right fit Many recipients are unwilling to carry out the FOT test for religious or cultural reasons – or simply squeamishness. Requiring two samples over two days, the test is somewhat cumbersome. But Atkins says Colostat is unlikely to replace FOTs for routine screening. 'Screening tests anywhere take a long time to be adopted and authorities would be reluctant to disturb the status quo'. Rather, Colostat is likely to be an 'adjunct or alternative to the current standard of care' for the symptomatic population. In other words, the test would be used by GPs on doctors on the small minority of patients that present with symptoms. 'Unfortunately, in Australia most of the circa 15,000 cases diagnosed annually results from patients going to their doctor with symptoms,' Atkins says. 'Doctors need a solution to determine whether they can send the individuals for a colonoscopy, or send them home.' The clinicians obtain a result within 24 hours, rather than a week or more for the FOT test. The flipside of effective detection is avoiding overservicing. If the patient goes home safely, that's a big plus for the health system. Atkins notes that Australian clinics carry out one million colonoscopies annually. Given the detection figure of 15,000 patients, many are unnecessary and 'result in unnecessary cost and stress.' Clinical tests have shown that Colostat is more effective at detecting cancer than a FOT test, which detects blood in the stools. But this could also be a sign of polyps, ulcers, or hemorrhoids. That said, Rhythm is happy with mere equivalency. After all, the Colostat test always will be more effective than an unused poo test. Pursuing the lab-based route On March 6, 2023, Rhythm shares tumbled 45% after the company withdrew its 1300-page marketing application to the local Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The company felt it was unable to provide the information the agency requested within the requisite 20 business days. Initially, Rhythm planned to resubmit to the TGA, but now plans to commercialise Colostat via the laboratory-developed test route. 'Lab based' refers to the common path of shipping the test to an appropriately certified lab, which acts as the quality gatekeeper. Certification means National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation. The lab-based route obviates the need for TGA approval for general dispersal. 'Most new diagnostics go down the lab path,' Atkins says. 'It's rare for a new diagnostics company to put an assay in a box and try to get TGA approval, which is an expensive and difficult path.' In the case of Colostat, one or two labs nationally could handle the processing, so the lab route is not that arduous. 'We're not going to need hundreds of labs running our assays in future, but we will need more than one.' Atkins, who joined Rhythm a year ago says: 'We have focused on taking the work the previous team has done and leveraging that so we can get a high-quality product to market.' This work includes reformulating the protein biomarkers that Colostat detects, using a single simplified assay. 'We are finalising the verification validation for the assay to ensure it does what it says on the label.' Predicting cancer risk The Genetype tests are a mix of genomic data and clinical and demographic history. 'The selling point for Genetype is that it gives insights into individuals' risk profiles that they otherwise wouldn't get,' Atkins says. The Genetype acquisition transforms Rhythm from development stage to a revenue-generating business, Rhythm paid $625,000 for Genetype – less these days than a house in Darwin or Hobart. Atkins says Genetic Technologies spent 'comfortably more' than that on developing Genetype over more than a decade. In the year to June 2024 Genetic Technologies derived $134,085 of revenue from Genetype, 200% higher than the previous year. Atkins says Rhythm primarily has acquired the know-how behind Genetype – seven key staff members stayed on – as well as a watertight patent portfolio and US and local lab licences. Rhythm also obtains the medical history of several thousand patients which it ultimately could use for R&D. "This is incredibly valuable," Atkins says. Won't make the same mistake Atkins says Genetic Technologies tried to sell Genetype directly to consumers. In reality, physicians need to request the test. 'We are focused on partners who either are GP networks or have GPs within their system. For example, employee management groups, insurers, clinical networks and laboratories.' Health insurers could carry out the test routinely, as part of health checks. Atkins says there's a sizeable market of consumers willing to pay out of pocket for the test, ranging from 'worried well' those already deemed high risk. Nonetheless, the company is exploring reimbursement. Atkins says while the US is the obvious market, Europe and China are also challenging but appealing. 'We are not ignoring Australia – the tenth biggest global health wellness market based on out-of-pocket payments,' he says. 'GPs tell us there is a real appetite for individuals to invest in their own health.' Meanwhile, Rhythm expects Colostat revenue to flow from 2026. Following that, the company hopes to expand the assay to six other tumours, including lung cancer. 'The next 12 to 18 months for Rhythm should be truly transformational,' Atkins says.
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gosford preview: Kris Lees confident in Golden Smile's potential over staying trip
Imported mare Golden Smile faced a stiff challenge when she stepped up to city company last start but trainer Kris Lees looks to have found an ideal race back in provincial company Golden Smile placed in her first three starts this campaign before breaking through with a big all-the-way win in a Newcastle Maiden on a Heavy 10 over 1890m before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 on the Kensington 11 days later when fifth to Rotagilla over 1800m. 'She was very good in winning but the wet track may have aided her,' said Lees. 'It was a big jump going to town last start and coming back a little in distance could have been detrimental to her. 'Going up to 2100 metres this week looks a nice option for her. 'She is still going to get a winter track this week and she seems to be in good order.' A good day for Newcastle trainers, claiming four winners on the home track today. A winning double for @Leesracing and @gibbo7822 with Golden Smile (Race 1) and First Person (Race 7) while David Atkins (Scholl Deep - R6) and @perry_racing1 (General Soho- R4) also had success.… â€' Newcastle Racecourse (@newcastleraces_) May 3, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! The daughter of Sea The Stars drops back to a Class 1 and Maiden Plate and steps up to 2100m. 'This looks a nice race for her. A bit of a gap between runs may suit her as well being a European-bred mare,' he said. Lightly-raced three-year-old Hawker Hall kicked off his campaign with a three-and-a-half length win over 900m on his home track on April 23 and wasn't seen on raceday again until May 26 when fifth to Prima Bella on a Heavy 10 over the same track and distance. He steps up to 1100m this week in the Class 1 Handicap with Jason Collett back on board. 'We wanted to find the right track and run him at home again,' Lees said. 'The other day, it might have just been a bit too heavy for him. 'He's a big, heavy horse and he does like a bit of cut in the ground but not really testing like it was. 'It was just a bit waterlogged that track and made a bit of hard work for him. 'He might be better suited now getting out over just a little bit further to get a more controlled run (in front).' Lees has been pleased with the form of Surreal I Am in Queensland this preparation where he has won two of his three starts and feels he deserves a chance back in New South Wales. The gelding lines up in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) where he will make his presence felt. An easy watch for favourite backers! ðŸ'Œ Hawker Hall wins first up with Jason Collett on board for the @Leesracing stable! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 23, 2025 'His two wins on the Sunshine Coast were on the polytrack but that said, I can't fault him at home,' he said. 'He will be a place chance.' Joining him in that race is Oakfield Mamselle who is resuming from a spell. While she has a win and a second from three first-up runs, Lees feels she will be improved by this run. 'She seems to be coming up well. Her trials were only fair but her work since has been pleasing,' he said. Lees' other runner for the meeting is Enchanted World in the opening race, the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). The daughter of Ardrossan debuted on her home track on May 26 where she settled last and came between runners in the straight to finish a three-and-a-quarter length second behind Pratt. 'She was okay on debut and will appreciate stepping up a little in trip,' said Lees. Lees also has Denuto and Irish Thunder running at Ballina and feels they will be competitive in their respective assignments. 'Denuto hasn't been far away and is close to getting a result. Hopefully he can break through,' he said. 'Irish Thunder ran well first-up. He just got hampered a little. 'He has improved from that and should run well.' â– â– â– â– â– The week started well for trainer Scott Henley when stable star Volcanic Love trialled stylishly at Grafton and he hopes it can end on a high note with a winning double. Henley was pleased when the meeting originally set for Lismore was moved to Ballina when his promising filly Confederate Lady races so well. The three-year-old had her first three starts at the track where she recorded an impressive maiden win over 1012m at just her second career start and placed in her other two runs at the venue. 'I'm definitely not disappointed they moved the meeting to Ballina. She loves the joint,' said Henley. Since resuming with a close third in a Class 1 on a Heavy 10 at Ballina on April 8, Confederate Lady has finished third behind the promising Seymour Stars at Port Macquarie and an unlucky fourth to Takemine at Inverell. Confederate Lady takes out the Maiden Handicap at Ballina for Scott Henley! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 28, 2024 'She was just a gallop short going into that run because we'd had plenty of rain up here and couldn't get her tied right down. 'Then she ran into a good horse at Port Macquarie. 'Last start she got back further than we expected and was a bit stiff. The daughter of Supido is out to add to her record when she steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 15 although she will come in after scratchings. 'I had her in a couple of Class 1 races that were washed out and the only available race at the next meeting has been a Benchmark 58,' he said. 'Each time in those Class 1s, to my way of thinking, she was a good thing. 'In the (benchmark) 58s, we go from a good thing to just a chance. 'From a wide gate this week, she is just a good chance with luck in running.' Henley has been pleased with the two runs of former Victorian three-year-old Zouandme and gives him a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). The gelding raced on a hot speed when seventh at Grafton first-up before being beaten just over a length when sixth at Inverell. 'He has those two runs,' he said. 'He was big in condition first-up and had a good blow after the race. 'He improved a fair bit off that going into the race at Inverell and has come on nicely since then. 'The only reservation I have is the very heavy track.'
The Courier
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Stirling's new pizza restaurant was so good we went back for more
Have you ever eaten something so good that you still think about it years later? For me, it's a margherita pizza from Napizza in Stirling. A few months after I moved to the city, I was hearing stellar reviews of the Friars Street restaurant and wanted to see if it was as good as everyone claimed. It was. The base was soft, yet chewy, and that classic tomato and mozzarella combination was perfection. I couldn't wait to go back, but it wasn't to be. Napizza closed down, then the pandemic struck, and the world came to a halt. Little did I know, five years later, I would be eating the very pizza I had thought about countless times. And as it turns out, I wasn't the only one fantasising about that authentic Neapolitan pizza. One of Napizza's most loyal customers, David Atkins, was waiting in line for at a pizza restaurant in Italy when he decided to message the owner, Alex Sorlei. The pair then decided to go into business together and bring those benchmark pizzas back to Stirling. Piotsa Pizza officially opened on May 15 and, of course, I had to pay a visit. I'm told there was a queue down the street on opening day It was just as busy on the Friday, but luckily my partner Joe managed to snag the last table. The King Street restaurant is very inviting. There's warm lights, brick walls and you can watch the pizza chefs at work in the open kitchen. You can feel the buzz in the air as diners debate which of the ten pizzas to choose from. People are waiting by the door for a takeaway and based on the reactions of the pizza fans around me, I have high expectations. Somehow the chefs don't seem overwhelmed as they make their way through the mountain of orders. The rosemary fries (£4.50) are the first thing to arrive. Each chip is crispy, some crunchier than others, plus they're fresh and flavourful. It doesn't take long for us to devour them and await the main event. I chose the four meats pizza (£15) which is topped with Parma ham, salami, nduja and pancetta. The base is also half margherita and half fior de latte. I'm not sure words can do this pizza justice, but every bite was just as I remembered. The dough is light and pillowy, the edges lightly scorched from the wood-fired oven and providing that subtle charred flavour. Each quarter brings something different – spicy, salty, rich, gooey mozzarella. Once devoured, I knew that I needed to visit Piotsa again for another one of these perfect pizzas. Joe was of the same opinion. His pizza, the diavola (£13), was topped with San Marzano tomatoes, smoked fior di latte, Neapolitan sausage, chilli flakes and basil. It too is just as he remembers, perhaps better. Gelato and tiramisu feature on the dessert menu, but we decide on the Nutella calzone (£10). As you cut into it, Nutella oozes out the side and it's satisfying to scoop it back onto the dough. It's reminiscent of roasted hazelnuts, as the faint smokiness on the dough from the oven couples with the chocolate. It's rich, sweet and an outstanding end to our meal. When I first interviewed Alex and David, it was evident how much passion goes into this pizza. Alex, who lived in Naples for 17 years, prides himself on creating authentic pizza with fresh ingredients. He has honed his craft through books and real-life experience. This comes through in every visit to Piotsa and, given how busy it has been, these pizzas have been deeply missed. It lives up to and goes beyond my memories of Napizza. The food is faultless, the staff are friendly and the restaurant is incredibly inviting. This is genuinely the best pizza I have ever eaten. At the time of writing, it has been 10 days since Piotsa opened. We've now been three times and I expect that a fourth visit is not far away. As Joe put it: 'Every waking moment I'm not eating this pizza, I'm thinking about the next moment I'm going to be eating this pizza.' Address: 35 King Street, Stirling, FK8 1DN Telephone: 01786 643308 Website: Price: £51.50 for two drinks, two mains and one dessert Accessible: Yes Dog Friendly: No : Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Surrounding: 5/5
Mercury
29-05-2025
- Business
- Mercury
Long Shortz: Rhythm Biosciences
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tylah Tully chats with Rhythm Biosciences (ASX:RHY) CEO David Atkins about the company's mission to make cancer a more treatable condition through earlier detection—starting with bowel cancer. Rhythm is developing ColoSTAT, a groundbreaking blood-based diagnostic test designed to detect the likelihood of bowel cancer more easily and effectively than current stool-based methods. He discusses the recent redevelopment of the test, which led to significant improvements in ease of use, cost, speed, and clinical performance. Watch the video to hear more. This video was developed in collaboration with Rhythm Biosciences, a Stockhead client at the time of publishing. The interviews and discussions in this video are opinions only and not financial or investment advice. Viewers should obtain independent advice based on their own circumstances before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Long Shortz with Rhythm Biosciences: Inside ColoSTAT's road to market
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why Black Hawks will be flying over Hays, Arkansas City
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Some Kansans will see Black Hawk helicopters flying over their towns starting this week. The Kansas Army National Guard will conduct Black Hawk flights this Wednesday in Hays and around Cowley College in Arkansas City in two weeks. The Kansas Army National Guard says the flights will be conducted safely and with minimal disruption. The flights will train crews for disaster responses, search and rescues, and tactical operations. The crews will also get more experience in navigation, coordination and emergency preparedness. 'We are committed to maintaining the highest level of readiness while also fostering strong relationships with the communities we serve,' Major David Atkins, Kansas Army National Guard, said. Lady A to perform at Salina's Stiefel Theatre The Hays training flights will be on Wednesday, March 12. The flights around Cowley College will be on Wednesday, March 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
