A new test for ovarian cancer is being launched by biotech company Oxford Bio-Innovation.

Ovarian cancer is often a killer because it is difficult to diagnose early enough for effective treatment.

Oxford Bio-Innovation, based at the Cherwell Innovation Centre at Heyford Park, is launching an antibody a protein produced by the body to fight disease which is linked to ovarian cancer.

The company says it will help doctors and medical researchers to identify and classify cancer tumours from tissue samples or biopsies. Managing director William Finch said: "The occurrence of ovarian cancer is relatively low but difficulties exist in detecting tumours early. "Precise identification is crucial in the early stages of treatment, which is why new markers are needed."

Oxford Bio-Innovation's products are already used to assess a woman's fertility by testing ovarian activity, and to measure men's sperm production.

It is the world's leading licensed supplier of antibodies and assay kits for measuring the hormones inhibin and activin in human blood serum.

Mr Finch added: "The role of diagnostics is increasingly important. Oxford Bio-Innovation intends to play its full part in this developing market."