US pharmaceutical company Janssen is testing an Australian diagnostic to predict the onset of diabetic kidney disease.

Proteomics International (ASX:PIQ) has signed a research deal with Janssen Research & Development, a subsidiary of $506 billion consumer goods giant Johnson & Johnson, to share data from trials on a diagnostic test called PromarkerD.

Proteomics claims the tool is a world-first test for predicting the onset of diabetic kidney disease.

Under the deal, Janssen will give Proteomics data from recently completed clinical trials testing whether their drug for patients with Type 2 diabetes had an effect on heart failure and amputation.

The Aussie company will do the sample testing to see how the PromarkerD score correlates with drug response in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

The drug is of the gliflozin (SGLT-2 inhibitor) class, which helps lower blood-sugar in adults with diabetes.

Proteomics shares were up 12 per cent to an intraday high of 46c on the news, the company’s highest point in more than three years.

Proteomics International (ASX:PIQ) shares since listing.

The collaboration will also evaluate how PromarkerD performs in predicting heart disease, another major complication arising from diabetes. Diagnosis of cardiovascular risk would be a new application for PromarkerD, the company says.

Proteomics managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe  was excited to see whether results, which are expected in the next six to twelve months, showed PromarkerD could help diagnosis.

“Using PromarkerD predictive technology to accelerate drug discovery is an exciting development with significant applications globally. We are pleased to be working with one of the largest pharma companies to support rapid treatment development for diabetic kidney disease,” he said.

“Gliflozin drugs could be hugely beneficial in improving patient outcomes from diabetes complications and we look forward to determining whether PromarkerD can help in assessing responses to this treatment.”