Coverage of Predictive Biomarker Test Enables Lung Cancer Patients to Benefit From More-Informed Treatment Decisions
Biodesix, Inc., a fully integrated molecular diagnostic company dedicated to personalizing medicine, today announced that Novitas Solutions, the Medicare Administrative Contractor for the region that includes Colorado, has established coverage for the company’s VeriStrat test. VeriStrat, a clinically validated blood-based protein test, helps physicians guide second-line therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The coverage decision means that more than 49 million eligible Medicare enrollees in the U.S. will now be able to benefit from VeriStrat being a covered diagnostic test, according to specific lung cancer indications outlined by Novitas.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the United States. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer is roughly 15 percent, illustrating the need for predictive biomarker tests that can identify which therapies are most appropriate for individual patients. VeriStrat fills that role; the test was recently evaluated in a phase III clinical trial, with data presented at the 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Results confirmed that VeriStrat is predictive of differential treatment outcomes for the two types of therapies used in second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC: chemotherapy or the targeted drug erlotinib (Tarceva®).
Erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, is the drug most commonly used in patients who harbor an EGFR mutation. However, only a small percentage of patients have this mutation. The VeriStrat test helps oncologists guide treatment decisions between erlotinib and single agent chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer patients who do not harbor an EGFR mutation or whose mutation status cannot be obtained. VeriStrat requires only a simple blood draw and test results are returned in less than 72 hours, allowing physicians to make quick treatment decisions.
“Medicare’s decision to offer VeriStrat as a covered benefit will allow those patients enrolled in Medicare to benefit from better-informed, personalized decision-making when it comes to the treatment of their disease,” said David Brunel, Chief Executive Officer of Biodesix. “This is a major milestone for both Biodesix and for patients with lung cancer. Using the information from VeriStrat test results, physicians can improve patient outcomes by identifying the best course of treatment.”
Medicare’s positive coverage decision for VeriStrat, published in Novitas’ “Biomarkers for Oncology” Local Coverage Decision (LCD), describes multiple predictive and prognostic biomarkers in multiple tumor types. VeriStrat is included in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) section.
For more information about VeriStrat and today’s announcement, visit www.veristratsupport.com.
About Biodesix
Biodesix is a molecular diagnostics company advancing the development of innovative products for personalizing medicine. The company provides physicians with diagnostic tests for earlier disease detection, more accurate diagnosis, disease monitoring and better therapeutic guidance, which may lead to improved patient outcomes. Biodesix discovers, develops and commercializes multivariate protein diagnostics based on their proprietary mass spectrometry-based discovery platform. VeriStrat, a multivariate serum protein test, is Biodesix’ first product developed with this technology. VeriStrat is predictive of differential treatment outcomes between erlotinib and single-agent chemotherapy and helps physicians make more informed treatment decisions for advanced lung cancer patients. Tests are processed in Biodesix’ CLIA-certified laboratory and results are reported in less than 72 hours. In addition to developing novel diagnostics independently, the company also partners with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop companion diagnostics to improve utility of therapeutic agents. For more information on VeriStrat, please visit www.VeriStratSupport.com or call the VeriStrat Support Hotline at 1-866-432-5930. For more information about Biodesix, please visit www.Biodesix.com.
This press release contains statements that are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the Company’s inability to further identify, develop and achieve commercial success for products and technologies; the risk that the Company’s financial resources will be insufficient to meet the Company’s business objectives; uncertainties relating to the regulatory approval process and changes in relationships with strategic partners. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Media Contacts:
Chempetitive Group for Biodesix
Kelly Quigley or Kena Hudson
510-908-0966
Biodesix@Chempetitive.com