- First blood-only liquid biopsy test for molecular residual disease now covered for serial testing in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer
- Test used after surgery or curative treatment to inform physician decisions about adjuvant therapy and to monitor for disease progression, recurrence or relapse
Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, announced today that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana now offers coverage for the Guardant Reveal™ molecular residual disease (MRD) test. Guardant Reveal is a blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood after treatment, including surgery, to help oncologists identify cancer patients with residual or recurring disease who may benefit most from adjuvant therapy or surveillance. It was the first blood-only liquid biopsy test commercially available for MRD testing.
Effective July 10, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is providing coverage for the Guardant Reveal test for individuals with stage II or III colorectal cancer after curative treatment (including surgery) to inform physician decisions about post-treatment therapy and to monitor for disease progression, recurrence or relapse. The frequency of testing covered is aligned with monitoring guidelines established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for colorectal cancer. It includes the initial ctDNA test 4 to 6 weeks after surgery (or 2 to 4 weeks after completion of systemic therapy) and thereafter every 3 to 6 months for the first two years, and every 6 to 12 months for the following 3 years.
“We are pleased that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has taken this important step to make blood testing for residual disease more accessible,” said Helmy Eltoukhy, Guardant Health chairman and co-CEO. “This will help oncologists make more informed decisions about treatment and monitoring for colorectal cancer patients and survivors.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana serves approximately 1.9 million members. This policy decision adds to the payor coverage of Guardant Reveal, which received Medicare coverage in August 2022.
About Guardant Health
Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of its proprietary tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics. The Guardant Health oncology platform leverages capabilities to drive commercial adoption, improve patient clinical outcomes and lower healthcare costs across all stages of the cancer care continuum. Guardant Health has commercially launched Guardant360®, Guardant360 CDx, Guardant360 TissueNext™, Guardant360 Response™, and GuardantINFINITY® tests for advanced stage cancer, and Guardant Reveal™ for early-stage cancer. The Guardant Health screening portfolio, including the commercially launched Shield™ test, aims to address the needs of individuals eligible for cancer screening. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the potential utilities, values, benefits and advantages of Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy tests or assays, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors. These and additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Guardant Health’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” and elsewhere in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and any current and periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission thereafter. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Guardant Health as of the date hereof, and Guardant Health disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Guardant Health’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
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Contacts
Investor Contact:
Alex Kleban
investors@guardanthealth.com
+1 657-254-5417
Media Contact:
Michael Weist
press@guardanthealth.com
+1 650-647-3643