PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXG) ("Interpace" or "the Company"), a fully integrated commercial company that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests and pathology services for improved patient diagnosis and management, today announced that on March 29th 2017, the European Patent Office granted it a Patent for use of microRNAs for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms.  This patent covers the underlying technology of the Company's ThyraMIR® microRNA Classifier.

The Company plans to validate and enforce this Intellectual Property in select European countries going forward.

ThyGenX® - ThyraMir® represents the only test in the market that combines the rule-in properties of NGS sequencing of a patients' DNA and RNA, with rule-out capabilities of a micro-RNA classifier.  Based upon current performance, over 80% of the Company's total cases are reflexed to ThyraMIR® for additional assessment.  The Company launched ThyraMIR® in the United States on April 15th, 2015 making it available to Endocrinologists and Pathologists throughout the country.  Since then, the Company has conducted over 5,000 ThyraMIR® tests for nearly 400 physicians and hospitals. 

According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the US 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 ThyGenX® – ThyraMIR® has been shown to reduce the rate of unnecessary surgeries in indeterminate cases.

Jack E. Stover, President and CEO of Interpace Diagnostics stated, "We are pleased to announce the approval of this patent by the European Patent Office as it provides a basis for introducing our first product to the European market as part of our international expansion plan. Importantly, this patent enforces the uniqueness of our microRNA Classifier technology in risk stratification of Thyroid nodules," concluded Stover.    

About Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.

Interpace is a fully integrated commercial company that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests and pathology services for evaluating risk of cancer by leveraging the latest technology in personalized medicine for improved patient diagnosis and management. The Company currently has three commercialized molecular tests: PancraGEN®, for the evaluation of pancreatic cysts and assessment of risk of concomitant or subsequent cancer; ThyGenX®, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a next generation sequencing assay; and ThyraMIR®, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a proprietary gene expression assay. Interpace's mission is to provide personalized medicine through molecular diagnostics and innovation to advance patient care based on rigorous science. For more information, please visit Interpace Diagnostics' website at www.interpacediagnostics.com

About Thyroid Nodules, ThyGenX and ThyraMIR testing

According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 15% to 30% 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 ThyGenX and ThyraMIR.

ThyGenX 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.

ThyGenX 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 ThyGenX and ThyraMIR are covered by both Medicare and Commercial insurers.

About Pancreatic Cysts and PancraGEN

PancraGEN is a pancreatic cyst molecular test that, by using a small sample of pancreatic cyst fluid, can aid in pancreatic cancer risk assessment. PancraGEN is 90% accurate, according to clinical studies, enabling effective risk stratification of patients.  Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose in early stages and typically spreads rapidly with signs and symptoms appearing when the cancer is significantly advanced. Because of this, and that complete surgical removal of the pancreas is not possible, pancreatic cancer is considered a leading cause of cancer deaths.

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. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to adequately finance the business, its ability to restructure its debt and other obligations, the market's acceptance of its molecular diagnostic tests, its ability to secure additional business and generate higher profit margins through sales of its molecular diagnostic tests, in-licensing or other means, projections of future revenues, growth, gross profit and anticipated internal rate of return on investments and our ability to maintain our NASDAQ listing. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, including without limitation, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2016 as amended on April 20. 2016 and June 14, 2016, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 17, 2016, the prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses related to our recent public offerings that were filed with the SEC, and the Annual Report on Form 10-K relating to our year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017. 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:

Interpace Diagnostics

Investor Relations:

Paul Kuntz

Redchip

Paul@Redchip.com

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SOURCE Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.