Curative Insurance Company Adds GRAIL’s Galleri® Test to Member Benefits for Multi-Cancer Early Detection

Rhea-AI Summary

Curative Insurance Company and GRAIL, LLC have announced the availability of Galleri®, a multi-cancer early detection screening test for eligible insurance plan members. The test is available for $0 copay and $0 deductible and can identify DNA shed by cancer cells to screen for some of the deadliest cancers. Studies have shown a 75% sensitivity for screening cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths, rising to 80% for the most serious cancers. The test can also indicate the origin of the cancer with 88% accuracy.

Insights

Oncology Doctor

The inclusion of GRAIL's Galleri test in Curative Insurance Company's plan represents a significant advancement in cancer care management. By offering a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test, Curative is addressing a critical gap in oncology: the detection of cancers that lack specific screening protocols. The Galleri test's ability to detect DNA from cancer cells in the blood, with a reported sensitivity of 75% for a broad range of cancers, could potentially lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, which is often associated with better outcomes.

From an oncological perspective, the accuracy of Galleri in pinpointing cancer origin is noteworthy. An 88% accuracy rate in determining the tissue of origin is particularly valuable for cancers with non-specific symptoms or those that are typically diagnosed at a later stage. This could reduce the time to diagnosis and the need for invasive diagnostic procedures, which can be both costly and risky for patients.

However, while the potential benefits are clear, it is important to consider the implications of false positives and the psychological impact on patients. Additionally, the test's performance must be continuously evaluated against the evolving standard of care in oncology to ensure it remains a beneficial tool for patient management.

Health Economist

Curative's decision to offer the Galleri test at no additional cost to eligible members could have significant economic implications for the healthcare system. Early detection of cancer can lead to less invasive treatments and potentially lower healthcare costs overall. The reduction in long-term treatment expenses, when compared to the costs associated with late-stage cancer care, can be substantial.

Moreover, the inclusion of such a test in insurance plans could influence the competitive landscape of health insurance providers. By enhancing their preventive care offerings, Curative may set a new standard in value-based care, potentially increasing member satisfaction and retention. It could also prompt other insurers to adopt similar measures, thereby accelerating the integration of innovative diagnostic tools into standard healthcare practice.

It is essential to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the Galleri test in the long term. While upfront costs are absorbed by the insurance, the downstream savings generated by early detection must outweigh these initial expenses. This includes considering the costs of follow-up diagnostic procedures triggered by the test results.

Medical Research Analyst

The clinical validation of the Galleri test is an important aspect for stakeholders to consider. The reported sensitivity and specificity of the test, while promising, should be scrutinized in the context of broader population studies and real-world data. As the test becomes more widely used, its performance metrics will need to be monitored to ensure they align with the controlled study environments.

Furthermore, the impact of widespread adoption of the Galleri test on clinical research could be profound. It may drive further innovation in the field of liquid biopsy and cancer genomics, potentially leading to the development of even more precise and less invasive diagnostic tools. The data generated from the use of the Galleri test could also contribute to a better understanding of cancer epidemiology and the effectiveness of early interventions.

It is crucial for the medical community to maintain a critical view of the test's integration into clinical practice, ensuring that it complements, rather than replaces, existing screening modalities. The potential for the Galleri test to change the standard of care in oncology hinges on its continued evaluation and validation against emerging scientific evidence.

The addition of Galleri® is available to Curative health insurance plan members with a $0 copay and $0 deductible*

AUSTIN, Texas & MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Curative Insurance Company, a pioneering healthcare services company, and GRAIL, LLC, a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, today announced the availability of Galleri®, a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening test to eligible insurance plan members. The Galleri test will be available to all members, across all plan types, who are over the age of 50 and to all other members with risk factors for developing cancer.¹ The Galleri test is part of the expansive list of benefit offerings available for $0 copay and $0 deductible* on Curative's health insurance plan.

A simple blood draw used in addition to current single-cancer screenings, Galleri can identify DNA shed by cancer cells to help screen for some of the deadliest cancers that don’t have recommended screening today, such as pancreatic, esophageal, ovarian, liver and others. Studies have shown a 75% sensitivity for screening cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths, rising as high as 80% for the most serious cancers. Galleri can indicate the origin of the cancer with 88% accuracy, giving doctors a roadmap for where to explore further.^{2, 3, 4}

“We are excited to be working with GRAIL and proud to offer Curative health plan members the groundbreaking Galleri test that is truly key in helping detect cancer early on for our members,” said Fred Turner, CEO and Co-founder of Curative. “Preventive care is at the core of our health insurance plan, and the Galleri test may allow qualified members to screen for potential cancer early, before any symptoms appear when it may be more easily treated and potentially curable. This is not just about early detection; it's also about empowering our members with the tools to be proactive with their health. Curative's partnership with GRAIL is a testament to our commitment to preventive care and the well-being of our members.”

“Single-cancer screenings play an important role in detecting five specific cancers today. However, nearly 70% of deaths are caused by cancers that don’t have recommended screenings,” said Bob Ragusa, CEO at GRAIL. “By providing the Galleri test to eligible health insurance members, Curative is helping to screen for the deadliest cancers that often come with no warning today, demonstrating their commitment to preventative and proactive care.”

Curative members eligible for Galleri may request the test through an independent telemedicine provider at Galleri.com/curative. Curative’s health insurance plan includes an annual preventive care visit called the Baseline Visit, where members get the opportunity to speak with a Curative clinician about their overall health. In addition, plan members are assigned a personal Healthcare Navigator, who walks members through health plan benefits and onboard members, setting up a roadmap for whole health and showing the member their 24/7 telemedicine plan feature.

Curative’s unique $0 copay, $0 deductible plan* offers comprehensive coverage, encompassing wellness, preventive care, behavioral health services, primary and specialty care, office and hospital visits, prescription drugs, and all accessible through a high-quality PPO network at competitive monthly premiums. The Curative plan is currently available to employers headquartered in Texas and Florida with 50 or more eligible employees nationwide, with broad national network coverage and access to almost 1 million providers nationwide.

To learn more about Curative's revolutionary health insurance plan and how it can benefit employers and employees alike, visit https://curative.com/.

​​*Every Curative member qualifies for the $0 deductible, $0 copay for in-network care and preferred prescriptions by completing a Baseline Visit within 120 days of the plan effective date. See https://curative.com to learn more. Curative Insurance Company PPO. GA240129-1.

About Curative

Curative is a leading healthcare services company that has created and launched a first-of-its-kind employer-based health insurance plan with an AM-Best rating of A-. Co-founded by CEO Fred Turner and CTO Isaac Turner (no relation) in 2020, Curative is reengineering health insurance by providing unmatched simplicity and cost transparency with a competitive monthly premium and zero additional costs*. Curative is remaking our healthcare system into one that works for and supports members’ whole health and well-being through every step of their personal health journey. Previously, Curative and its managed medical entities were national leaders bringing COVID-19 testing and vaccine-administration resources to bear in response to the pandemic. For more information on Curative, visit https://curative.com/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About GRAIL

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. GRAIL, LLC, is a subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) currently held separate from Illumina Inc. under the terms of the Interim Measures Order of the European Commission.

For more information, please visit grail.com.

About Galleri®

The Galleri multi-cancer early detection test is a proactive tool in finding cancer early. With a simple blood draw, the Galleri test can identify DNA shed by cancer cells (unique “fingerprints”) to help screen for some of the deadliest cancers that don’t have recommended screening today, such as pancreatic, esophageal, ovarian, liver, and others.** The Galleri test can be used to screen for cancer before a person becomes symptomatic, when cancer may be more easily treated and potentially curable. The Galleri test can indicate the origin of the cancer, giving healthcare providers a roadmap of where to explore further. The Galleri test requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and should be used in addition to recommended cancer screenings such as mammography, colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, or cervical cancer screening. It is recommended for people over the age of 50, or those with an elevated risk for cancer due to genetics, family history, environmental exposure, or other risk factors.

For more information about Galleri, visit galleri.com.

**Editor’s note: Sensitivity in study participants with -
Liver/bile duct cancer: 93.5% overall (100% stage I, 70.0% stage II, 100% stage III, 100% stage IV).
Esophagus cancer 85.0% overall (12.5% stage I, 64.7% stage II, 94.7% stage III, 100% stage IV).
Pancreas cancer: 83.7% overall (61.9% stage I, 60.0% stage II, 85.7% stage III, 95.9% stage IV).
Ovary cancer: 83.1% overall (50.0% stage I, 80.0% stage II, 87.1% stage III, 94.7% stage IV).

Important Galleri Safety Information

The Galleri test is recommended for use in adults with an elevated risk for cancer, such as those aged 50 or older. The Galleri test does not detect all cancers and should be used in addition to routine cancer screening tests recommended by a healthcare provider. Galleri is intended to detect cancer signals and predict where in the body the cancer signal is located. Use of Galleri is not recommended in individuals who are pregnant, 21 years old or younger, or undergoing active cancer treatment.

Results should be interpreted by a healthcare provider in the context of medical history, clinical signs and symptoms. A test result of “Cancer Signal Not Detected” does not rule out cancer. A test result of “Cancer Signal Detected” requires confirmatory diagnostic evaluation by medically established procedures (e.g. imaging) to confirm cancer.

If cancer is not confirmed with further testing, it could mean that cancer is not present or testing was insufficient to detect cancer, including due to the cancer being located in a different part of the body. False-positive (a cancer signal detected when cancer is not present) and false-negative (a cancer signal not detected when cancer is present) test results do occur. Rx only.

Laboratory/Test Information

GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The Galleri test was developed, and its performance characteristics were determined by GRAIL. The Galleri test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is regulated under CLIA to perform high-complexity testing. The Galleri test is intended for clinical purposes.

References

1. https://www.galleri.com/what-is-galleri/multi-cancer-early-detection
2. Klein EA, Richards D, Cohn A, et al. Clinical validation of a targeted methylation-based multi-cancer early detection test using an independent validation set. Ann Oncol. 2021;32(9):1167-1177. Doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.05.806.
3. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures. 2021. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2021/cancer-facts-and-figures-2021.pdf.
4. Schrag D, Beer TM, McDonnell CH, et al. Blood-based tests for multi-cancer early detection (PATHFINDER): a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2023;402:1251-1260. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01700-2.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240201806773/en/

For Curative:

Corporate Communications

David Krawitz

press@curative.com

For GRAIL:

Corporate Communications

Kristen Davis

Cammy Duong

pr@grail.com

Investor Relations

Alex Dobbin

ir@grail.com

Source: GRAIL, LLC

FAQ

What is the name of the multi-cancer early detection screening test announced by Curative Insurance Company and GRAIL, LLC?

The multi-cancer early detection screening test announced is called Galleri®.

What is the availability of the Galleri test for eligible insurance plan members?

The Galleri test is available for $0 copay and $0 deductible for eligible insurance plan members.

What is the sensitivity of the Galleri test for screening cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths?

The Galleri test has shown a 75% sensitivity for screening cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths.

What is the accuracy of the Galleri test in indicating the origin of the cancer?

The Galleri test can indicate the origin of the cancer with 88% accuracy.

What is the mission of GRAIL, LLC?

The mission of GRAIL, LLC is to detect cancer early when it can be cured.