LEWISVILLE, Texas, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- med fusion and Theranostics Health will introduce the first of the TheraLink™Assays for use in patients with malignant diseases at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual '13 Meeting, held in Chicago, IL from May 31, 2013 through June 4, 2013. The TheraLink™ HER Family Assay for primary, recurrent and metastatic breast cancers provides a molecular analysis of each patient's unique cancer, based upon the functional activity of signal transduction pathways known to modulate cancerous growth. This 'theranostic' assay provides a comprehensive molecular profile of the HER family of cell surface receptors and three key signaling pathways modulated by the HER family which have important roles in the therapeutic approach to treating breast cancer. The TheraLink™ HER Family Assay is the first in a series of similar assays based upon measuring a panel of analytes, including a number of drug targets.

med fusion and Theranostics Health will also announce that they are entering into an exclusive distribution agreement for Theranostics Health's TheraLink™ HER Family Assay. Under the terms of the agreement, med fusion and its affiliate, Pathologists Bio-Medical Laboratories (PBM), will provide a gateway for access to the theranostic test for the McKesson Network of oncologists, which includes US Oncology and Texas Oncology and to the oncologists of the Baylor Healthcare System. Oncologists will be able to order the assay through their pathology services directly from med fusion.

The TheraLink™ HER Family Assay measures the total amount and activation (phosphorylation) status of 14 critical proteins, receptors and signaling pathway members, providing actionable information for ten currently marketed therapeutics.  Starting with a few histopathology sections taken from a core needle biopsy or open resection, the assay is a reverse-phase immunoassay that leverages the extreme sensitivity and precision of microarray technologies to measure these very low abundance proteins, with analyte-specific quantitation provided by on-array calibration samples along with positive and negative controls.  The assay provides oncologists with actionable information on drug targets, directly linking active drug targets and the available therapies to identify the most effective personalized treatment options.

"We believe med fusion provides Theranostics Health with a unique opportunity to advance the use of the TheraLink™ Assays," says Glenn Hoke, President and CEO of Theranostics Health. "Through relationships with their founders, including the McKesson family of health care companies and the Baylor Healthcare System, med fusion provides Theranostics Health with a strong marketing and distribution partner to ensure these assays find utility in the clinical setting."

"Signal pathway analysis provides some of the most relevant information for targeting cancer therapies," says Gary L. Smith, Ph.D., Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of med fusion. "Furthermore, our collaboration with Theranostics and PBM continues to support med fusion's model of developing and creating strategic alliances that expand our offering of personalized diagnostic testing services within a patient-centric model of care delivery."

About med fusion
Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, med fusion is an integrated, advanced laboratory and clinical trials service organization providing support to healthcare providers, biotech and pharmaceutical companies through a patient-centric support model. The company, with its' founders, McKesson (formerly USON), Texas Oncology (TXO), Baylor Healthcare System (BHCS), and Pathologists Bio-Medical Laboratories (PBM) is working to introduce more targeted diagnostics, reduce episode of care costs and enhanced system efficiencies. Based in a 130,000 square foot facility, the company's full service clinical laboratory includes a dedicated test development and validation team to quickly meet the needs of clients and reference lab services such as pathology testing and molecular diagnostics. med fusion currently has over 400 well-trained employees and a dedicated lab staff with an average of 16 years of experience.

For more information please visit www.medfusionservices.com.

About Pathologists Bio-Medical Laboratories (PBM)
Pathologists Bio-Medical Laboratories (PBM) is a physician owned, independent pathology laboratory that has been serving the healthcare community for more than 50 years. PBM provides technical, professional, consultative, and managerial services in pathology. PBM currently has 43 board-certified physicians offering state-of-the-art services for clients and patients in all aspects of anatomic pathology, cytopathology, and molecular pathology.

For more information please visit www.pbmlabs.com

About Theranostics Health Inc.
Theranostics Health, a privately-held biotechnology company, develops technologies to measure the activation status of key signaling pathways that are instrumental in the development of companion diagnostics for molecular targeted therapies. While the Company has historically focused on providing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug development companies, Theranostics Health is now offering access through clinical assays designed to help clinical oncologists advance personalized medicine through its TheraLink™ Theranostic Assays.

For more information please visit www.theranosticshealth.com.

SOURCE med fusion