Over the years, finding easier and more effective ways to identify appropriate treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has been a major focus for liquid biopsy developers.
After more than two years of diagnostic evaluation, Biocept’s Target Selector liquid biopsy assay was approved by health insurance carrier, Highmark. The evaluation to determine whether liquid biopsy assay could rapidly assess the molecular state of the disease to inform more targeted therapies and reduce overall costs of care was coordinated and managed by Highmark’s VITAL Innovation Platform. The platform was designed to test innovative new healthcare technologies by tapping into claims and outcomes data from real-world clinical settings.
“After several years of participating in the VITAL program, the fact that Highmark has made positive coverage determination is a testament to the value we bring to patients with cancer and to the healthcare system.” — Michael Nall, President & CEO of Biocept
With the complications of accessing a patient’s tumor tissue sample for evaluation, a standard blood draw makes the liquid biopsy an attractive, viable option.
Nall stated, “The positive results from our collaboration under the VITAL program further solidifies Biocept’s role as a leader in the liquid biopsy field and represents an important movement towards improving care for cancer patients.”
Highmark will reimburse testing with Biocept’s assay in health insurance across the company’s market of 5.6 million members in areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
Information provided by Clinical OMICs – Molecular Diagnostics in Precision Medicine.