Interpace Diagnostics Announces Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
In Network Access for More Than 6 Million Members
PARSIPPANY, NJ, July 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXG) announced today that it has contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan, a not-for-profit independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with 4.5 million members in the State of Michigan, making it the largest payer in the State, along with another 1.6 million members across multiple other States. The contract makes the ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR® tests both covered services as well as in-network services for their total of 6 million members. As a result of this Agreement, members of BCBS of Michigan’s plans will be able to access Interpace’s molecular thyroid tests on an in-network basis, which will limit their out of pocket expenses in accordance with their in-network benefit levels. Interpace has successfully achieved positive medical coverage for its services through Medicare as well as other leading National and Regional health plans and is now contracting with them..
The ThyGeNEXT® - ThyraMIR® combination represents the only test in the market that includes the rule-in properties of next-generation sequencing of a patient’s DNA and RNA along with the rule-out capabilities of a micro-RNA classifier to provide physicians with clinically actionable test results. According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the U.S., tripling in the past three decades. Most physicians have traditionally recommended thyroid surgery where thyroid nodule biopsy results are indeterminate, not clearly benign or malignant, following traditional cytopathology review; however, 70%-80% of these surgical outcomes are ultimately benign.Molecular testing using ThyGeNEXT® – ThyraMIR® has been shown to reduce the rate of unnecessary surgeries in indeterminate cases.
According to Jack Stover, CEO of Interpace, “This contract, with one of the largest BCBS plans in the country, represents another milestone in solidifying our molecular thyroid products’ place in the market.”He continued, “These 6 million members now have access to ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR® on an in-network basis providing them not only the sole combined testing platform available but a cost-effective solution as well.”
About Thyroid Nodules, ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR® Testing
According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20% of the 525,000 thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed on an annual basis in the U.S. are indeterminate for malignancy based on standard cytological evaluation, and thus are candidates for ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR®.
ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR® reflex testing yields high predictive value in determining the presence and absence of cancer in thyroid nodules. The combination of both tests can improve risk stratification and surgical decision- making when standard cytopathology does not provide a clear diagnosis for the presence of cancer.
ThyGeNEXT® utilizes state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify more than 100 genetic alterations associated with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas, the two most common forms of thyroid cancer. ThyraMIR® is the first microRNA gene expression classifier. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that bind to messenger RNA and regulate expression of genes involved in human cancers, including every subtype of thyroid cancer. ThyraMIR® measures the expression of 10 microRNAs. Both ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR® are covered by both Medicare and Commercial insurers, with more than 280 million patients covered.
About Interpace Diagnostics, Group, Inc.
Interpace is a leader in enabling personalized medicine, offering specialized services along the therapeutic value chain from early diagnosis and prognostic planning to targeted therapeutic applications.
Interpace’s Diagnostic Business is a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics business unit that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests, bioinformatics and pathology services for evaluating risk of cancer by leveraging the latest technology in personalized medicine for improved patient diagnosis and management. Interpace has four commercialized molecular tests and one test in a clinical evaluation process (CEP): PancraGEN® for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cysts; ThyGeNEXT® for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a next generation sequencing assay; ThyraMIR® for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a proprietary gene expression assay; and RespriDX® that differentiates lung cancer of primary vs. metastatic origin. In addition, BarreGEN® for Barrett’s Esophagus, is currently in a clinical evaluation program whereby we gather information from physicians using BarreGEN® to assist us in positioning the product for full launch, partnering and potentially supporting reimbursement with payers.
Interpace’s Biopharma Business is a market leader in providing pharmacogenomics testing, genotyping, and biorepository services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The Biopharma Business also advances personalized medicine by partnering with pharmaceutical, academic, and technology leaders to effectively integrate pharmacogenomics into their drug development and clinical trial programs with the goals of delivering safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly, and improving patient care.
For more information, please visit Interpace’s website at www.interpacediagnostics.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the Company's future financial and operating performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward looking statements by terminology including "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "projects," "intends," "potential," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should," "approximately" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions and uncertainties involving judgments about, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the “Risk Factors” detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10Q. Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Contacts:
Investor Relations
Edison Group
Joseph Green
(646) 653-7030
jgreen@edisongroup.com
Released July 31, 2019