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DermTech Announces the Foundational Assay of Its DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) Is Recommended for Coverage by TRICARE
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Rhea-AI Summary
DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMTK) announced that the Defense Health Agency’s Lab Joint Working Group has recommended its foundational assay for the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) for TRICARE coverage. This enables around 9 million TRICARE members to access the non-invasive DMT, which boasts a greater than 99% negative predictive value for melanoma detection. DermTech's total covered lives in the U.S. now reach approximately 113 million. The company aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs with this innovative test.
Positive
Coverage for DMT by TRICARE expands access to approximately 9 million members.
DMT shows a greater than 99% negative predictive value for melanoma detection.
Total covered lives now approximately 113 million, enhancing market reach.
Negative
None.
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMTK) (“DermTech” or the “Company”), a leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin genomics platform, today announced that the Defense Health Agency’s Lab Joint Working Group has recommended the Company’s foundational assay included in the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) for coverage by TRICARE. TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees and their families around the world.
This coverage recommendation makes the foundational assay of the DMT available to TRICARE’s approximately 9 million members and beneficiaries of the Military Health System. The DMT is the first non-invasive approach to enhance melanoma detection with a greater than 99 percent negative predictive value (NPV).
“We’re proud to support TRICARE in bringing our non-invasive melanoma test to our nation’s military heroes and their families,” said Dan Visage, senior vice president of payor access, DermTech. “The DMT test results are clinically meaningful and actionable, improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. We look forward to working with the TRICARE team to take the additional steps needed to allow for full availability of our test to its members in the next few months.”
DermTech’s total covered lives in the U.S. are now approximately 113 million, which includes 68 million for Medicare/Medicare Advantage and 45 million for commercial and governmental payers.
About The DermTech Melanoma Test
DermTech originally marketed its foundational assay under the name Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA). The PLA assessed pigmented skin lesions, moles or dark skin spots for melanoma. In particular, the PLA detected expression of the LINC00518 (“LINC”) and preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (“PRAME”) genes using an amplification process called reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (“RT-PCR”). The Company introduced its second-generation PLA test, PLAplusTM, in 2021, which could also identify the presence of TERT using a DNA sequencing technique and adding the TERT promoter mutation analyses to the PLA gene expression test. We have since rebranded our PLA and PLAplus tests as the DMT. The DMT tests for LINC and PRAME, and may be ordered with or without the add-on test for TERT. Positive results for LINC, PRAME, or TERT correlate with the presence of melanoma. If the biomarkers are not detected, this result indicates a greater than 99% probability that the mole being tested is not melanoma.
About DermTech
DermTech is a leading genomics company in dermatology and is creating a new category of medicine, precision dermatology, enabled by its non-invasive skin genomics platform. DermTech’s mission is to improve the lives of millions by providing non-invasive precision dermatology solutions that enable individualized care. DermTech provides genomic analysis of skin samples collected non-invasively using our Smart StickersTM. DermTech markets and develops products that facilitate the early detection of skin cancers and is developing products that assess inflammatory diseases and customize drug treatments. For additional information, please visit DermTech.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates, and projections of DermTech may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” "outlook," “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations and evaluations with respect to: the performance, patient benefits, cost- effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s products and the market opportunity for these products, DermTech’s positioning and potential revenue growth, financial outlook and future financial performance, ability to maintain or improve its operating efficiency and reduce operating expenses, implications and interpretations of any study results, expectations regarding agreements with or reimbursement or cash collection patterns from Medicare or commercial payers and related billing practices or number of covered lives, and DermTech’s ability to expand its product offerings and develop pipeline products. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of DermTech and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against DermTech; (2) DermTech’s ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market its products; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and commercial payers; (5) the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage of or sufficient reimbursement for DermTech’s products; (6) DermTech’s ability to grow, manage growth and retain its key employees and maintain or improve its operating efficiency and reduce operating expenses; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the market adoption and demand for DermTech’s products and services together with the possibility that DermTech may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” section of the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by DermTech with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other documents filed or to be filed by DermTech with the SEC, including subsequently filed reports. DermTech cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. DermTech does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
What recent coverage did DermTech receive for its melanoma test (DMT)?
DermTech's melanoma test (DMT) was recommended for coverage by TRICARE, enabling access for around 9 million members.
What is the negative predictive value of the DermTech Melanoma Test?
The DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) has a negative predictive value greater than 99%, indicating high accuracy in melanoma detection.
How many total covered lives does DermTech now have in the U.S.?
DermTech's total covered lives in the U.S. is approximately 113 million, including Medicare and commercial payers.
When will the DermTech Melanoma Test be available to TRICARE members?
DermTech is working with the TRICARE team to fully make the test available to its members in the coming months.
What is the significance of TRICARE's coverage for DermTech’s DMT test?
TRICARE's coverage is significant as it enhances accessibility to DermTech's innovative melanoma detection solution for military personnel and their families.
