Personal Genome Diagnostics Selected By Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 1 To Provide Targeted DNA Testing For Its New Precision Oncology Program

BALTIMORE, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a provider of advanced cancer genome analysis and testing services, today announced that it has been selected by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New England Veteran's Integrated Service Network (VISN 1) to provide targeted genomic testing services for a new Precision Oncology Program (POP). PGDx's CancerSelect^TM targeted gene panel will be run for patients in the program with newly-diagnosed lung cancer. CancerSelect detects alterations in 88 well-characterized genes that include nearly all targets of currently available or investigational cancer treatments.

The Precision Oncology Program is being established by the Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 1 to support the collection and enhanced analysis of data on all patients seen in VISN 1 network hospitals who have a lung cancer diagnosis. It aims to provide state-of-the-art clinical care to veterans as well as opportunities for the discovery and validation of new cancer biomarkers. Evaluation measures in the program will enable assessments of how the POP is impacting VA cancer patient outcomes.

Jeffrey Boschwitz, PhD, Chief Operating Officer at PGDx, commented, "We are honored that the VA's VISN 1 has selected PGDx to provide targeted DNA profiling for the Precision Oncology Program, and applaud its leadership in this field that is rapidly transforming the treatment of cancer. We specifically designed our CancerSelect panel to have unsurpassed sensitivity and specificity while maintaining its cost-effectiveness, so that it can be available to patients in a range of healthcare settings, including programs such as POP. We welcome the opportunity to support this innovative program and the veterans it serves."

The Precision Oncology Program is initially focusing on newly-diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer patients served by the New England Veterans Integrated Service Network. However, program organizers hope to offer testing to all VA hospitals nationwide, and view the initial effort as the forerunner to a larger initiative intended to increase access to cancer genomic testing, targeted therapies and clinical trials across the VA system. 

CancerSelect uses next-generation sequencing technology to identify somatic mutations, focal amplifications, and translocations in the genes that have the greatest potential to impact treatment decisions. Many cancer gene tests only identify point mutations; yet all three types of genetic alterations can play a role in disease progression and response to treatment. PGDx's proprietary bioinformatics pipeline enables CancerSelect to maintain high sensitivity and specificity at mutant allele frequencies as low as 2%, which is lower than any other test currently available.

PGDx was awarded this contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs based on a competitive process. Further details were not disclosed.

About Personal Genome Diagnostics
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) provides advanced cancer genome analyses to oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. The company uses advanced genomic methods and its deep expertise in cancer biology to identify and characterize the unique genomic alterations in tumors. PGDx's proprietary methods for genome sequencing and analysis are complemented by its extensive experience in cancer genomics and clinical oncology. Co-founders Luis Diaz, MD, and Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, are internationally recognized leaders in cancer genomics who have extensive experience in the practical application of advanced genomic technologies to research, drug development and clinical practice. PGDx's CLIA-certified facility provides personalized cancer genome analyses to patients and their physicians. For more information, visit www.personalgenome.com.

Contacts
PGDx Corporate:
Jeffrey Boschwitz, PhD
443-330-7585
[email protected]                                             

PGDx Media:
BLL Partners, LLC
Barbara Lindheim
212-584-2276
[email protected]    

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150112/168424LOGO

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.

Related Links

http://www.personalgenome.com