Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and Veracyte Partner on Survey Exploring Diagnostic Experiences of U.S. Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

CHICAGO and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and Veracyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: VCYT) announced that the organizations are partnering on a U.S. patient survey to advance understanding of patients' diagnostic experiences with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The Interstitial Lung Disease Patient Journey (INTENSITY) survey will assess the steps and time required for patients to receive a diagnosis, specific obstacles hindering timely diagnosis, and the physical and emotional impact of patients' diagnostic journey.

"IPF and other ILDs are notoriously difficult to diagnose, leading to treatment delays, added healthcare costs and significant emotional impact for patients and caregivers," said Gregory P. Cosgrove, MD, chief medical officer of the PFF. "Results from the INTENSITY survey will help us more fully understand patients' diagnostic experiences so that we can further our efforts among all stakeholders to improve timely diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This ability is more critical than ever, given the recent availability of treatments that can slow progression of IPF."

Dr. David Lederer, PFF senior medical advisor, education and awareness, led development of the INTENSITY survey, which is being conducted online by independent healthcare research organization Outcomes Insights, with funding support from Veracyte. Results are expected to be announced later this year.

"We are delighted to be partnering with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the leading pulmonary fibrosis information resource and support network in the United States, on this important survey," said Bonnie Anderson, Veracyte's president and chief executive officer. "This effort demonstrates our commitment to address the significant needs of ILD and IPF patients."

About Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which, over a period of time, lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and grows thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't receive enough oxygen. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis, but in many cases, there is no known cause. When the cause of the fibrosis is unknown (and certain pathologic or radiographic criteria are met), the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. There is no cure for IPF. Presently, there are two FDA-approved treatments for IPF in the United States. IPF is the most common and most deadly form of interstitial lung disease (ILD), a diagnostic category comprising more than 200 diverse lung disorders characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to serve as the trusted resource for the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community by raising awareness, providing disease education, advancing care and funding research. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, people with PF and caregivers worldwide. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. The PFF Summit 2015: From Bench to Bedside, its third biennial international health care conference, will be held November 12-14, 2015 in Washington, D.C. For more information visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or +1 312.587.9272 from outside of the U.S.

About Veracyte

Veracyte (NASDAQ: VCYT) is pioneering the field of molecular cytology, offering genomic solutions that resolve diagnostic ambiguity and enable physicians to make more informed treatment decisions at an early stage in patient care. By improving preoperative diagnostic accuracy, the company aims to help patients avoid unnecessary invasive procedures while reducing healthcare costs. Veracyte's Afirma® Thyroid FNA Analysis centers on the proprietary Afirma Gene Expression Classifier (GEC) and is becoming a new standard of care in thyroid nodule assessment. The Afirma test is recommended in leading practice guidelines and is covered for approximately 150 million lives in the United States, including through Medicare and many commercial insurance plans. Veracyte is expanding its molecular cytology franchise to other clinical areas, beginning with difficult-to-diagnose lung diseases. In April 2015, the company launched the Percepta™ Bronchial Genomic Classifier, a test to evaluate patients with lung nodules that are suspicious for cancer. Veracyte is developing a second product in pulmonology, targeting interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. For more information, please visit www.veracyte.com.

SOURCE Veracyte

Related Links

http://www.veracyte.com