U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Renews and Expands Cancer Testing Contract with Personal Genome Diagnostics

BALTIMORE, Nov. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx) today announced the renewal and expansion of its cancer genome testing contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The contract includes PDGx's CancerSELECTtm 125 tissue and PlasmaSELECTtm64 liquid biopsy profiling panels. Both are comprehensive, clinically actionable pan-cancer genome tests that include assessments of microsatellite instability (MSI), a biomarker used to determine patient response to certain cancer immunotherapies. The new agreement expands the company's existing contract to all VA facilities nationwide.

Douglas Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Personal Genome Diagnostics, said, "The extension and expansion of this contract to all VA facilities attest to the quality and value of our cancer genome testing. We are pleased that all eligible VA patients in the U.S. will now be able to obtain our advanced cancer genome testing and that our non-invasive, plasma-based cancer assays will be available to the many veterans who lack access to archival tissue samples, such as those in rural areas."

Mary Padilla, MD, PGDx Vice President, Customer Service and Support, commented, "Over the past three years, we have worked with the VA's Precision Oncology Program (POP) to sequence more than 1,500 samples to help guide treatment decisions for veterans with advanced cancer. Working with this large population has allowed the VA and PGDx to access clinical outcomes data for studies assessing how molecular profiling impacts cancer treatment decisions, and potentially survival. We look forward to the opportunity to continue this collaboration going forward."

PGDx offers a complete range of cancer genome analysis tools including exome and targeted approaches for tissue specimens, targeted approaches for plasma blood samples and custom tissue and plasma-based options designed to address the specific research needs of cancer researchers and drug developers. In addition, PGDx is developing and intends to commercialize a portfolio of tissue and liquid biopsy IVD cancer tests that will be clinically validated and regulated, enabling worldwide access to PGDx technology.

About Personal Genome Diagnostics
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) empowers the fight against cancer by unlocking actionable information from the genome. We are committed to developing a portfolio of regulated tissue-based and liquid biopsy genomic products for laboratories worldwide. PGDx was established in 2010 by researchers from Johns Hopkins University who are pioneers in cancer genome sequencing and liquid biopsy technologies. For additional information, visit PersonalGenome.com.

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.