On October 02, 2017 Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MYGN), a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, continues to demonstrate an unmatched commitment to hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Press release, Myriad Genetics, OCT 2, 2017, View Source [SID1234520744]). As the second leading form of cancer in the United States, breast cancer kills one woman every 13 minutes, with more than 250,000 new cases of breast cancer expected to be diagnosed this year alone.
“Myriad has been actively contributing to the fight against breast cancer since 1991. We have been at the forefront of a change in hereditary cancer risk assessment and witnessed remarkable progress in the last 25 years. More than ever before, our hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic tests deliver critical answers, providing women with more power and control over their future,” said Johnathan Lancaster, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, Myriad Genetics. “Conquering a devastating illness like breast cancer will require even more effort. Myriad will accomplish this through pioneering innovation, research collaborations and investment. We’re optimistic that we will make an even bigger difference for women in the years ahead.”
Our Portfolio of Leading Breast Cancer Tests
Myriad’s portfolio of personalized medicine tools to help doctors prevent and treat breast cancer include: myRisk Hereditary Cancer, riskScore, and EndoPredict. Additionally, the Company is advancing its companion diagnostics such as BRACAnalysis CDx and myChoice HRD for patients with breast cancer through ongoing research collaborations with multiple pharmaceutical companies.
Following is an overview of Myriad’s portfolio of personalized medicine tests for breast cancer:
myRisk Hereditary Cancer is a 28-gene panel and helps doctors understand an unaffected woman’s risk of developing hereditary breast cancer using genetic testing and family history. In contrast, for women already diagnosed with breast cancer, the myRisk test can help identify their risk of secondary cancers, help inform medical management, and may help prevent cancer in unaffected family members who inherited a cancer-causing mutation.
People can find out if they’re candidates for myRisk Hereditary Cancer by going to HereditaryCancerQuiz.com. The quiz is a brief online questionnaire that helps people determine whether they should be further evaluated for hereditary breast cancer and other types of cancer. On average, the quiz takes less than 1 minute to complete.
riskScore is the newest addition to Myriad’s breast cancer portfolio and is available for certain patients who receive a negative myRisk Hereditary Cancer test result. riskScore combines genetic markers throughout the human genome with a woman’s family and clinical history to predict her 5-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
EndoPredict is a test that combines genetic and clinical data to identify women with low-risk breast cancer who can safely forego chemotherapy after surgery and help maintain their quality of life.
Myriad is known for pioneering scientific breakthroughs and exceptional science. We bring that same spirit to our partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to develop companion diagnostic tests. These personalized medicine tests will help identify patients who are likely to benefit from certain medicines. Our companion diagnostic tests include:
BRACAnalysis CDx is a companion diagnostic test that detects germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and helps indicate whether or not patients with cancer who may preferentially benefit from the PARP inhibitor class of drugs. Most recently, BRACAnalysis CDx was used to successfully identify patients with metastatic breast cancer that responded to PARP inhibitors and will be submitted to the FDA as a companion diagnostic for use in these patients.
MyChoice HRD is a test that assesses a cancer’s inability to repair DNA damage. The results will help doctors identify more patients who may preferentially benefit from DNA-damaging medicines and PARP inhibitors. myChoice HRD is being studied in ongoing clinical trials for breast cancer.
If you are interested in learning more about Myriad’s commitment to breast cancer, talk to your healthcare professional and visit www.myriad.com to learn more about myRisk Hereditary Cancer, riskScore, EndoPredict, BRACAnalysis CDx and myChoice HRD.
Our Commitment to Patient Advocacy and Access
Myriad is committed to advocating for the discovery and delivery of personalized medicine for patients with breast cancer. The company has a long track record of partnering with advocacy organizations that promote awareness and research on breast cancer and many other diseases. Additionally, we believe access to genetic testing is an essential component of personalized medicine and can help patients live longer, healthier lives, while saving the healthcare system money.
Patients can access our genetic tests a number of ways, including through health insurance coverage from an employer-sponsored health plan, a health insurance exchange plan or a program like Medicare or Medicaid. Myriad also offers financial assistance programs for those who may have trouble accessing tests or lack coverage. The Company has provided more than $76 million in financial assistance to patients over the past five fiscal years (Table 1).
Table 1: Myriad Financial Assistance Contributions
FY2017 FY2016 FY2015 FY2014 FY2013
$ 20,946,808 $ 17,800,000 $ 14,300,000 $ 13,300,000 $ 10,400,000