Cure Forward Selects Personal Genome Diagnostics as a Provider of Genomic Data to Cancer Patients Using Its Platform to Access Precision Medicine Treatment Options

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and BALTIMORE, Md., Aug. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure Forward and Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a provider of advanced cancer genome testing products and services, today announced an agreement that will enable cancer patients using the Cure Forward Patient Activation platform to select PGDx as their genomic testing service provider. Under the terms of the agreement, PGDx will make its genomic testing results directly available to cancer patients through the Cure Forward platform. The data will be provided in interoperable formats, so that it can be directly applied by patients to further their own care.  Further details of the non-exclusive agreement were not disclosed.

At Cure Forward, patients and their families can retrieve and use molecular profiling data to understand their disease, connect with others who share their specific diagnosis and treatment history, and connect to clinical trials. The centerpiece of the Cure Forward platform is its Clinical Trial Exchange, where patients can post relevant information about themselves. Clinical trial recruiters can then view patients' anonymized profiles and invite them to apply for inclusion in relevant trials. The mechanism is designed to facilitate the process by presenting patient data in a format that can be compared against the inclusion and exclusion criteria provided by trial recruiters in their searches, including DNA biomarker criteria.

"PGDx was established by cancer researchers at Johns Hopkins in response to requests from patients and their physicians for access to advanced genomic testing. We are committed to working with other innovative companies to expand that access, and it is accordingly fitting for us to join forces with Cure Forward, whose innovative platform is designed to empower patients with the DNA biomarker data that is essential for optimizing their cancer treatment," said Douglas Ward, Chief Executive Officer at PGDx. "Cure Forward believes that adoption of precision medicine is enhanced when patients are able to participate directly, and we welcome the opportunity to support their efforts."

Results from PGDx tests will be reported to ordering physicians through diagnostic reports and patients will then be able to use information from the reports to request and receive their data through the Cure Forward platform. Receiving one's data is a legal right of all patients in the US through the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This collaboration makes it easier for patients to access and use their genomic data quickly while keeping their physicians involved in the process.

"At Cure Forward, we want every patient to be able to address their disease with the best possible science. We believe that clinical trials are an important consideration at every stage of a person's care, and we want to make it easy for people to identify trial options," said Martin Naley, Cure Forward's Founder and Chief Strategy Officer. "PGDx is a well-known cancer genomic testing pioneer who is committed to providing the most advanced services to patients and their physicians. This collaboration with PGDx further ensures that patients using our platform will have rapid access to their data from the highest quality genomic testing services. This can help individual patients find the best options for their care and could also accelerate research toward improved treatments and cures."

PGDx offers a complete range of cancer genome analysis tools, including exome and targeted approaches for tissue specimens, targeted approaches for plasma samples and a variety of custom tissue and plasma-based options designed to address the specific research needs of cancer researchers and drug developers. It was established in 2010 by researchers from Johns Hopkins University who are pioneers in cancer genome sequencing and liquid biopsy technologies. Under the leadership of founders Drs. Luis Diaz and Victor Velculescu, the company has achieved consistent growth by successfully commercializing novel clinical and investigational products and services for researchers, drug developers, molecular testing laboratories and physicians and patients. PGDx's service offerings for researchers and testing labs are complemented by the clinical services it provides through its CLIA-certified laboratory. 

About Personal Genome Diagnostics
Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) advances the frontiers of cancer medicine through innovative genomic technologies for oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. The expert team at PGDx draws on a deep understanding of cancer biology, extensive experience in cancer genomics and clinical oncology, and the company's distinctive technologies.  These novel technologies precisely identify and characterize unique genomic alterations in tumors. PGDx is working toward broad patient access to its genomic approaches, through a CLIA-certified facility providing comprehensive genomic services, as well as a technology transfer solution enabling other molecular laboratories to easily internalize testing. For additional information, visit personalgenome.com.

About Cure Forward
Cure Forward is the first online matching service that connects cancer patients with precision medicine so they can access the targeted therapies and advanced treatments that may be best suited for their care. Our Clinical Trial Exchange connects patients to trials they might never have found and solves critical business needs for diagnostic laboratories, health care providers and clinical trial recruiters. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cure Forward was incubated and launched by Apple Tree Partners, New York City. The company's platform is in beta release at cureforward.com. If you or someone you love has cancer you need to know all of your options.

PGDx Contacts
PGDx Corporate:                                                         Media:
Melody Gretz                                                                Barbara Lindheim
973 598-5515                                                              BLL Partners LLC                               [email protected]                                 212 584-2276                                                                                                                             [email protected] 

Cure Forward Contacts
Cure Forward Corporate:                                           Media:
Stacey Santo                                                               Jennifer Webb
617 863-3818                                                             Coltrin &Associates [email protected]                                          212 221-1616
                                                                                      [email protected]

SOURCE Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.

Related Links

http://personalgenome.com