NEW YORK – Cancer detection firm Grail said Tuesday that it has entered an agreement with Quest Diagnostics for phlebotomy services in support of Galleri, Grail's multi-cancer early detection blood test.
Under the agreement, Secaucus, New Jersey-based Quest will use its phlebotomy network, which comprises roughly 2,200 patient service centers and 5,000 mobile phlebotomists, to help Menlo Park, California-based Grail with specimen collection when it launches the test this year.
Grail said in January that it expects to bring Galleri to market in the second quarter, following its PATHFINDER multi-site interventional study.
"Today, the majority of cancers go undetected until too late when outcomes are often deadly, and we believe Galleri could offer a unique and potentially life-saving solution by finding multiple types of cancers earlier," Joshua Ofman, Grail's chief medical officer and head of external affairs, said in a statement. "Our agreement with Quest will help us support convenient access to blood collection for patients and healthcare providers."
"Quest Diagnostics is committed to providing the broadest access to diagnostic innovation. That includes multi-cancer early detection, an important area of oncology diagnostics with potential to radically improve cancer screening, monitoring, and treatment," said Kristi Dolan, VP and general manager of Quest's oncology clinical franchise. "Galleri is a pioneer in early detection innovation, and we are eager to support Grail’s efforts to make it accessible to patients across the United States."