Personal Genome Diagnostics Launches CancerSelect™ ES Providing Turnkey Solution For Advanced Cancer Genetic Research
BALTIMORE, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a provider of advanced cancer genome analysis and testing services, today announced the launch of its CancerSelect Enterprise Solution (ES) that enables laboratories with next-generation sequencing capability to conduct advanced cancer genetic testing for research applications. CancerSelect ES provides a turnkey solution that includes CancerSelect gene panels, proprietary bioinformatics software, staff training, ongoing technical support, report generation, and panel updates. The two PGDx CancerSelect panels detect alterations in 88 and 203 well-characterized genes that are of high biologic importance in cancer. They have been selected for their relevance to cancer-related drug targets and pathways.
The CancerSelect gene panels identify genetic alterations in the targeted genes, including point mutations, copy number alterations and genetic rearrangements. Most other cancer gene tests only identify point mutations, yet all three types of genetic alterations can potentially play a role in disease progression and response to current or future therapies.
Antony Newton, Chief Commercial Officer at PGDx, commented, "CancerSelect ES reflects our commitment to using genetic information to advance cancer research with the goal of ultimately improving cancer therapy. We are packaging our deep technical and clinical know-how into a kit designed to enable laboratories with next-generation sequencing capability to provide high quality, advanced cancer testing for research applications, while minimizing expense and effort. The CancerSelect gene panels have been optimized to balance the value of the information obtained with the cost of running the test, and there are minimal upfront outlays needed. Our support team trains laboratory staff and provides ongoing technical assistance, and we will continue to update the gene panels as new information becomes available."
The CancerSelect gene panels achieve analytical sensitivity of more than 99% for mutations and indels at 2% mutant allele frequency. Their specificity is greater than 99.99%, with a target depth of coverage of more than 1500. Test results can be generated in as little as two weeks.
Visit Booth #1223 at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2014 Annual Meeting to learn more about CancerSelect ES. PGDx co-founders Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, and Luis Diaz, MD, will be presenting at the AMP 2014 Symposium, Cell-free Circulating DNA for Diagnosis or Prognosis of Cancer, to be held on November 15, 2014 at 1:30pm ET. Dr. Velculescu will discuss Liquid Biopsy Approaches for Detecting and Characterizing Human Cancer and Dr. Diaz will discuss Clinical Applications of Liquid Biopsies.
The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is being held November 12-15, 2014 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD. For more information, visit www.amp.org/meetings/2014/.
For more information about CancerSelect Enterprise Solution, visit: http://es.personalgenome.com/
About Personal Genome Diagnostics
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) provides advanced cancer genome analyses to oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. The company uses advanced genomic methods and its deep expertise in cancer biology to identify and characterize the unique genomic alterations in tumors. PGDx's proprietary methods for genome sequencing and analysis are complemented by its extensive experience in cancer genomics and clinical oncology. The founders of PGDx, Luis Diaz, MD, and Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, are internationally recognized leaders in cancer genomics at Johns Hopkins University who have extensive experience in the practical application of advanced genomic technologies to research, drug development and clinical practice. PGDx's CLIA-certified facility provides personalized cancer genome analyses to patients and their physicians. For more information, visit www.personalgenome.com.
Media Contact:
Barbara Lindheim
BLL Partners, LLC
212-584-2276
blindheim@bllbiopartners.com
Corporate Contact:
Antony Newton
Personal Genome Diagnostics
Chief Commercial Officer
410-849-9189
anewton@personalgenome.com
SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.