DermTech Reinforces Longstanding Mission to Help Reduce Melanoma Deaths, Aligning with the Biden Administration’s Renewed ‘Cancer Moonshot’ Program

Rhea-AI Summary

DermTech (NASDAQ: DMTK) has expressed support for the Biden Administration's renewed Cancer Moonshot program, aimed at improving cancer detection and treatment. This initiative aligns with DermTech's mission to enhance early detection of melanoma through its non-invasive DermTech Melanoma Test, which significantly boosts survival rates. The company emphasizes the importance of accessibility in dermatologic care, especially for underserved communities. DermTech is committed to making melanoma detection straightforward, leveraging its Smart Sticker technology to improve patient outcomes.

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• DermTech supports the Cancer Moonshot program, aligning with its goals for early melanoma detection.
• The DermTech Melanoma Test improves access to skin cancer screenings and enhances survival rates from melanoma.

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• 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, announced today its commendation and support for the Biden Administration’s reignited Cancer Moonshot program, developed to accelerate the rate of progress against cancer. Recognizing that detecting and diagnosing cancer earlier can pave the way for more effective treatment options, the program outlines specific goals including increased access to cancer screenings and improved patient support.

The renewed Cancer Moonshot program aligns with two of DermTech’s core objectives: to improve access to high-quality dermatologic care and to use precision genomics to help eliminate deaths from melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. Undetected or undertreated melanoma has a survival rate of only 27%, as current treatments can be ineffective at combating later-stage disease; however, if detected early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 99%.

Since early detection and treatment are critical in beating melanoma, improving access to dermatologic care and cancer screenings is of the utmost importance.

Additionally, the traditional pathway for diagnosis often involves doctors relying on the appearance of a mole, both clinically and under the microscope, to determine its likelihood of being malignant. This generally requires an in-person specialty physician visit, which can be difficult to obtain for individuals with financial or geographical barriers to care. Further, the earliest stages of melanoma can be difficult to diagnose by biopsy and misdiagnosed melanoma could lead to unnecessary surgeries.

The reliable and patient-friendly DermTech Melanoma Test enhances early melanoma detection by accurately ruling out the disease. It uses a non-invasive Smart Sticker™ to gently lift skin cells from the surface of the skin, which are tested for the presence of genomic markers associated with melanoma at DermTech’s laboratory. Patients can access the DermTech Melanoma Test at dermatologists’ offices, through certain primary care providers or remotely via telehealth in 44 states.

“Since our inception, we’ve been focused on addressing one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer,” said John Dobak, MD, CEO of DermTech. “We aim to make accurate, early melanoma detection as attainable and simple as possible. We believe no one should have to die from melanoma and applaud the Biden Administration’s support of this mission with the ‘Cancer Moonshot’ program. Together, we will accelerate the fight against cancer.”

For additional information, visit https://dermtech.com/.

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 Stickers^TM. 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.com.

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,” “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 with respect to: the performance, patient benefits, benefits to research partners and collaborators, cost-effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s products and services and the market opportunity therefor, and DermTech’s ability to expand its product and service offerings. 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 and services; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and private payors; (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; (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 (x) 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 (y) other documents filed or to be filed by DermTech with the SEC. 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220510005499/en/

Steve Kunszabo

(858) 291-1647

steve.kunszabo@dermtech.com

Source: DermTech, Inc.

FAQ

What is DermTech's position on the Cancer Moonshot program?

DermTech supports the Biden Administration's Cancer Moonshot program, which aims to accelerate cancer detection and treatment.

How does the DermTech Melanoma Test work?

The DermTech Melanoma Test uses a non-invasive Smart Sticker to collect skin cells for genomic testing, helping detect melanoma early.

What survival rates does early melanoma detection impact?

If detected early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma can be as high as 99%, compared to only 27% for later-stage diagnoses.

In how many states is the DermTech Melanoma Test available?

The DermTech Melanoma Test is accessible in 44 states through various healthcare providers.