BALTIMORE, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx) today announced an expansion of its cancer testing contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that replaces an earlier tumor profiling assay with the company's new CancerSELECT^™ 125 test. CancerSELECT 125 is a comprehensive, clinically actionable pan-cancer profiling test that includes microsatellite instability status (MSI), a biomarker used to assess potential patient response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies. CancerSELECT 125 will be available to cancer patients treated at VA centers nationwide. Separately, PGDx reported that it has been named a Finalist for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) "2017 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year" award.

Doug Ward, Chief Executive Officer of PGDx, noted, "PGDx helped pioneer the VA's Precision Oncology Program (POP) in 2015, and our involvement has grown as the POP has expanded from a regional lung cancer initiative into a nationwide effort covering all types of cancer. We believe our new CancerSELECT 125 pan-cancer targeted profiling assay is unsurpassed in its clinical relevance and accuracy, and it is one of the few that includes the MSI testing essential for effective use of the new immunotherapies. We welcome the opportunity to continue to provide our veterans battling cancer with the advanced, high quality genomic testing that their service to our nation demands."

The Small Business Administration's 2017 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year award is based on excellence in overall contract performance; innovativeness, uniqueness and superiority of the product or service provided; the extent to which it fulfills a need not adequately addressed by competitors; delivery of exceptional results and strength of customer support. PGDx has been named a Region III finalist. The national winner will be announced at an upcoming SBA awards dinner.

Mr. Ward added, "We are honored to be singled out by the U.S. Small Business Administration for the innovative nature and overall excellence of our work, and the fact that our products and services are designed to address major unmet needs in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Congratulations to our talented team members who continue to produce consistently outstanding results."

CancerSELECT 125 identifies clinically actionable and functionally important sequence mutations and structural alterations across multiple cancer types. The assay incorporates proprietary PGDx technologies and bioinformatics to identify sequence mutations with exceptional accuracy. The genes in CancerSELECT 125 were selected to aid in treatment decision-making based on their biological and functional relevance and clinical actionability. The assay also reports microsatellite instability status to assess potential response to checkpoint inhibitor therapies--tumors with high MSI have been shown to have a much greater clinical response to these new cancer immunotherapies.

For more information on CancerSELECT 125, click here.

PGDx offers a complete range of cancer genome analysis tools, including exome and targeted approaches for tissue specimens, targeted approaches for plasma samples and a variety of custom tissue and plasma-based options designed to address the specific research needs of cancer researchers and drug developers. PGDx's service offerings for researchers and testing labs are complemented by the clinical services it provides through its CLIA-certified laboratory.   

About Personal Genome Diagnostics  
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) is empowering the fight against cancer by unlocking actionable information from the genome for oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. The expert team at PGDx draws on a deep understanding of cancer biology, extensive experience in cancer genomics and clinical oncology, and the company's distinctive technologies that precisely identify and characterize unique genomic alterations in tumors. PGDx is working toward broad patient access to its genomic approaches, through a CLIA-certified facility providing comprehensive genomic services, as well as a portfolio of regulated tissue-based and liquid biopsy genomic products for laboratories worldwide. For additional information, visit personalgenome.com.

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.

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