Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) has opened a clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA) certified reference laboratory in Irvine, California, according to a Friday filing with the Australian bourse.

The company has secured both a California State License and the CLIA certification, allowing it to operate as a certified clinical laboratory within the US, the filing said.

The laboratory will initially offer the PromarkerD test, which predicts diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (DKD), and plans to expand with tests for esophageal cancer and endometriosis, the filing added.

The launch of PromarkerD, shown to predict DKD up to four years in advance, is expected in the second quarter, the company said.

The laboratory is designed for scalability, allowing Proteomics International to introduce additional diagnostic tests efficiently in the US market, the company added.

Shares of the company fell 8% in recent Friday trade.