GeneCentric Therapeutics Announces American Medical Association Has Granted a PLA Code for PurIST Pancreatic Cancer Test

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07/24/2024 - 08:00 AM

PurIST^SM is an RNA expression-based test licensed to Tempus AI to help inform and personalize treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer

The PurIST proprietary laboratory analysis (PLA) code is the first common procedural terminology (CPT) code created for algorithm-based analysis of previously sequenced RNA data from a laboratory developed test (LDT)

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GeneCentric Therapeutics, a company making precision medicine more precise through RNA-based diagnostics, announced today that the American Medical Association (AMA) has granted a PLA code for the PurIST^SM pancreatic cancer test. PurIST is commercially available under a collaboration agreement with Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM) and run on its xR platform. The PurIST PLA code is the first CPT code created to describe an algorithm-only analysis from previously sequenced, LDT, transcriptomic (RNA) data and represents a meaningful step toward reimbursement for AI-enabled algorithms.

“Receipt of a PurIST-specific PLA test code further supports the significance of GeneCentric’s pipeline of next-generation AI-derived tests,” said Michael Milburn, PhD, President and CEO of GeneCentric Therapeutics. “This is a key step toward reimbursement and successful commercialization for PurIST, and we’re excited about the importance of this test in guiding first-line treatments for pancreatic cancer patients.”

Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among all major cancers, and there has been limited availability of validated diagnostic tests or biomarkers to guide first-line treatment selection. The PurIST test classifies the tumors of patients with unresectable stage III or stage IV pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as either a basal or classical subtype and can help guide first-line therapy.

About the PurIST Test

PurIST identifies the molecular subtype of patients with unresectable stage III or stage IV PDAC and classifies patients with PDAC into either a basal or classical subtype and may help inform first-line therapy management. Tempus and GeneCentric recently completed a new clinical validation study demonstrating that PurIST can be used to help predict overall survival of classical patients between standard-of-care first-line therapies, FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine nab-paclitaxel. The PurIST test is available for ordering as part of the on-line Tempus HUB or via paper requisition forms for orders in the United States. Providers and patients can learn more about the PurIST test on the Tempus website.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the 12th most common cancer worldwide. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be over 64,440 new cases and more than 51,750 deaths in the U.S. alone in 2024, making it the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. with one of the highest mortality rates of all major cancers. More than 90% of pancreatic cancers are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the 5-year overall survival for resectable/borderline-resectable and non-resectable PDAC is approximately 20% and 1-3%, respectively. The three main treatments for PDAC are surgical resection (if diagnosed early), radiation therapy and chemotherapy. For resectable tumors, surgical resection is provided with curative intent, however, for non-resectable tumors, chemotherapy such as FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel is often used.

About GeneCentric

GeneCentric Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in RNA-based genomic biomarker and next-generation companion diagnostics development, is based in Durham, North Carolina. They have developed a deep pipeline of gene signatures and related diagnostic tests by parsing the complexity of tumor biology using their RNA-based Tumor and Immune Micro-Environment (rT(I)ME) Explorer platform and AI technology to identify responder populations to oncology therapeutics. Using their EXpressCT (Expression Signatures Through Circulating Tumor Signals) platform, these signatures can be applied to liquid biopsy. GeneCentric commercializes its technology through strategic collaborations with biopharmaceutical and diagnostics companies in applications throughout preclinical testing, clinical drug development and commercialization lifecycle phases. For more information, visit www.genecentric.com or follow us on LinkedIn.