BOWIE, Md., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MedAssurant, Inc., and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) today announced that Vertex Pharmaceuticals will utilize the AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry™ to perform unique data analysis projects. Powered by MedAssurant's advanced healthcare data analytics, the AGA Registry is the largest of its kind in the field of gastroenterology – focused initially on guidelines-driven management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and effective strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention, as well as hepatitis C.

As a supporter of the AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry, Vertex will collaborate with MedAssurant and the AGA to design custom analysis projects that shed light on a variety of topics related to digestive health. The clinical insight gained from this large-scale analysis of real-world data will support development efforts in the treatment of various gastroenterological diseases, including hepatitis C.

"The AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry is an important resource for the entire healthcare community," said Ian L. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., AGAF, president of the AGA Institute. "The registry supports and encourages the efforts of physicians and researchers around the country to innovate and improve health care for patients."

The AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry was launched in April 2010 with unprecedented depth and breadth of clinical insight, initially containing clinical data from more than 4.3 million patients with relevant data pertaining to IBD and colorectal cancer (CRC). In the past year, practices throughout the U.S. have prospectively collected AGA-specific data through the AGA Registry, enabling practices to achieve Physician Quality Reporting System incentives for the hepatitis C measures group and meet National Quality Forum-endorsed standards for polyp detection and CRC surveillance intervals.

"Access to high-quality, high-volume clinical datasets has become imperative for improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of drug development," said Luis Gutierrez, MedAssurant's Senior Vice President of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Operations and head of the company's research registry initiatives. "Registries such as this enable researchers to approach human disease from the macro perspective and to consider complex real-world variables that impact clinical outcomes.  This collaboration is a unique opportunity for current and future industry supporters to expand their efforts in drug development beyond the laboratory and the clinic."

For details, please visit www.AGARegistry.org.

About the American Gastroenterological Association

The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to include more 17,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org  

About MedAssurant, Inc.

MedAssurant, Inc., is a leading technology-enabled healthcare solutions provider focused on the importance of healthcare data and its ability to drive dramatic, objective improvement in clinical and quality outcomes, care management and financial performance throughout the healthcare community. Proprietary healthcare datasets, aggregation and analysis capabilities, combined with a national infrastructure of leading-edge technology, clinical prowess and deep human resources, empower MedAssurant's advanced generation of healthcare assessment and improvement through highly informed solutions. Driven by a mission to improve today's healthcare landscape, the employees of MedAssurant proudly apply care, ingenuity and dedication to delivering a new approach to healthcare touching more than 100 million Americans – one driven by data and insight – one resulting in meaningful action. Please visit www.medassurant.com for more information.

Contacts:

Russo Partners LLC on behalf of MedAssurant, Inc.
Tony Russo or Lena Evans
Phone: 212-845-4251
Phone: 212-845-4262
tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com
lena.evans@russopartnersllc.com

MedAssurant, Inc.
Alex Burgess
4321 Collington Road
Bowie, Maryland 20716
Phone: 301-809-4000
aburgess@medassurant.com

American Gastroenterological Association
Aimee Frank
301-941-2620
media@gastro.org

SOURCE MedAssurant, Inc.