Interpace Diagnostics Enters Agreement with One of the Largest, Integrated Health Systems in the US

Agreement with BJC Healthcare Covers Both of the Company’s Thyroid Tests

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpace Diagnostics Group (NASDAQ:IDXG) (“Interpace” or “the Company”), a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics company that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests and pathology services for improved patient diagnosis and management, reported today that the Company has entered into an Agreement with BJC Healthcare of St. Louis, Missouri, one of the largest non-profit, integrated healthcare systems in the United States. The Agreement enables all physicians across the BJC system access to both ThyGenX® and ThyraMIR® for patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.

ThyGenX® – ThyrMIR® represent the only tests in the market that combine the rule-in properties of next-generation sequencing of a patient’s DNA and RNA, with rule-out capabilities of a micro-RNA classifier to provide physicians with clinically actionable test results. Since 2015, Interpace has conducted over 15,000 ThyGenX® and ThyraMIR® tests for nearly 400 physicians and hospitals nationwide.

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 ThyGenX® – ThyraMIR® has been shown to reduce the rate of unnecessary surgeries in indeterminate cases.

According to Jack Stover, President and CEO of Interpace, “This Agreement with such a well-regarded healthcare system as BJC is another strong indication of the increased commercial interest in ThyGenX® and ThyraMIR® for use in indeterminate thyroid nodules.”  Stover added, “We are pleased that the physicians and patients within the BJC system now have access to our molecular tests for thyroid cancer.”

About Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.
Interpace is a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics 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 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; ThyGenX® 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. BarreGEN® for Barrett's Esophagus, is currently being “soft launched” with key opinion leaders as we continue to gather data on this assay that will assist us in seeking favorable reimbursement as well as important clinical information. Barrett's Esophagus is a rapidly growing diagnosis that affects over three million people in the US and over time can progress to esophageal cancer. The Company’s data base includes data from over 45,000 patients who have been tested using the Company’s current products, including over 15,000 molecular tests for thyroid nodules. Interpace has been designated by CIO Applications magazine as one of the top 20 companies for providing bioinformatics solutions. Interpace’s mission is to provide personalized medicine through molecular diagnostics, innovation and data to advance patient care based on rigorous science. For more information, please visit Interpace’s website at www.interpacediagnostics.com

About BJC Healthcare of St. Louis, Missouri

BJC is focused on delivering services to patients primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois, and mid-Missouri regions. With net revenues of $4.8 billion, BJC serves the healthcare needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities and includes 15 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care, and hospice.  Barnes Jewish Hospital, the network’s flagship and largest hospital, along with its physician partners at Washington University School of Medicine, are once again listed among the nation’s elite medical centers in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of “Best Hospitals,” ranking No. 12 in the country. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is also ranked No. 1 in both Missouri and the metro St. Louis area.

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. 

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 liabilities and other obligations, the market's acceptance of its molecular diagnostic tests, its ability to retain or secure reimbursement, 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 its ability to maintain its NASDAQ listing. 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 10-Q.

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:
Joe Green – Edison Group
(646) 653-7030
jgreen@edisongroup.com

Andrew Gibson – Edison Group
(646) 653-7719
agibson@edisongroup.com

Released April 18, 2018