Medicare Issues Local Coverage Determination for Biocept’s Target Selector™ Breast Cancer Assay to Detect the HER2 Biomarker from Circulating Tumor Cells
Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC) announced a positive Local Coverage Determination (LCD) from CMS for its Target Selector assay, which identifies the HER2 biomarker from circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Effective July 4, 2021, this coverage enhances access for breast cancer patients needing HER2 testing, especially when tissue samples are unavailable. The assay, less invasive and more cost-effective than traditional biopsies, assists oncologists in treatment decisions. Biocept is also pursuing FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its CNSide assay to improve management of central nervous system metastatic cancer.
- CMS has expanded Medicare coverage for Biocept's Target Selector assay, enhancing access for breast cancer diagnosis.
- The assay offers a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to traditional biopsies, supporting oncologists' treatment decisions.
- Biocept's combined liquid biopsy tests analyze actionable cancer biomarkers from blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
- The company's initial submission for FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for CNSide was denied, which could hinder its market potential.
- There is a risk that the prevalence of HER2-positive breast cancer may decrease, affecting future demand for the Target Selector assay.
Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC), a leading provider of molecular diagnostic assays and services, has received a positive final Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that expands Medicare coverage for use of its Target Selector assay to identify the HER2 biomarker from circulating tumor cells (CTCs). This coverage determination from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Molecular Diagnostics Program (MolDx) was effective July 4, 2021.
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“Target Selector is a highly sensitive assay for identifying HER2 status that is less invasive, more time-efficient and more cost-effective than tissue biopsy,” said Michael Dugan, M.D., Biocept’s Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director. “Metastatic tumors often show genetic changes that are associated with disease progression and frequently have features of HER2 gene amplification that are not present in the primary tumor. Target Selector’s ability to both detect and characterize the tumor cells provides critical information to help identify patients who may benefit from advanced targeted therapies, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.”
The MolDx program was developed by CMS to identify and establish coverage and reimbursement for molecular diagnostic tests. To receive a favorable MolDx coverage determination, assays must demonstrate clinical utility, fulfill the CMS reasonable and necessary criteria, and meet analytical and clinical validity standards. The LCD, which includes other cancer biomarkers in addition to HER2, is posted on the CMS website and can be accessed here.
“This coverage determination for our Target Selector assay is important for physicians and patients, as it expands access to a test that can provide the opportunity to find answers that may otherwise not be available from traditional approaches,” said Michael Nall, President and CEO of Biocept. “We are very pleased with this achievement and are excited to be making significant progress on a number of fronts that address critical needs in oncology and support public health efforts.”
Biocept’s combined cell-based and cell-free liquid biopsy tests assess actionable cancer biomarkers from a patient’s blood and, uniquely, from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well. Following the full commercial launch of its CSF assay, CNSide, Biocept submitted an initial application for Breakthrough Device Designation to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While the initial submission was recently denied, the company continues to pursue Breakthrough Device Designation for CNSide and is gathering data based on the feedback provided by the FDA to further support its submission. The test is currently marketed as a Lab Developed Test (LDT) in Biocept’s CLIA certified and CAP accredited lab. CNSide is designed to improve the clinical management of patients with suspected metastatic cancer involving the central nervous system.
The company also continues to provide COVID-19 testing services to help manage the impact of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, schools and other public facilities it serves. Biocept has received more than 450,000 samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing since launching this service in June 2020. The samples are processed using Biocept’s RT-PCR-based technology at its CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited, high-complexity molecular laboratory in San Diego.
About Biocept
Biocept, Inc., develops and commercializes molecular diagnostic assays that provide physicians with clinically actionable information to aid in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with cancer. In addition to its broad portfolio of blood-based liquid biopsy tests, the company has developed the CNSide™ cerebrospinal fluid assay, designed to diagnose cancer that has metastasized to the central nervous system. Biocept also is leveraging its molecular diagnostic capabilities to offer nationwide RT-PCR-based COVID-19 testing and services to support public health efforts during this unprecedented pandemic. For more information, visit www.biocept.com. Follow Biocept on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. To the extent that statements in this news release are not strictly historical, including, without limitation, statements regarding the benefits that can be provided by our Target Selector assay, our ability to receive FDA breakthrough device designation for CNSide, and the ability of our assays to provide physicians with clinically actionable information for treating and monitoring patients diagnosed with a variety of cancers, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the prevalence of HER2 in breast cancer patients will decline in the future to a point where guidelines for breast cancer may no longer recommend that all patients with new primary or newly metastatic breast cancer be tested for HER2, which in turn would impact demand for our Target Selector assay and could also impact its LCD, the risk that we may not receive breakthrough device designation by the FDA for CNSide, and even if we do, such designation may not lead to a faster development, regulatory review or clearance process, and it may not increase the likelihood that the assay will receive marketing authorization from the FDA, and the risk that our products and services may not perform as expected. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the "Risk Factors" heading of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 12, 2021. The effects of such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law. Readers are advised to review our filings with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/.
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FAQ
What is the significance of the recent Local Coverage Determination for Biocept (BIOC)?
How does the Target Selector assay improve breast cancer testing?
What challenges is Biocept facing regarding FDA approval for its CNSide assay?
What are the future implications of the HER2 biomarker testing for Biocept (BIOC)?
