NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Cancer Genetics today said that it has signed a multi-year agreement with PathAdvantage Associated to offer its FHACT test, a FISH-based genomic test for detecting and managing cervical cancer, and to collaborate on research in support of the test.
PathAdvantage provides specialized, focused gynecological pathology services, including personalized treatment plans, to the medical communities in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area and surrounding markets. It services include minimally invasive biopsy and colposcopy for both cervical and endocervical biopsy collection, as well as liquid based pap testing with high risk human papillomavirus testing.
Cancer Genetics said that the alliance will aim to improve and streamline treatment strategies for women in North Texas who are high-risk HPV positive and/or are diagnosed with cervical dysplasia.
As part of the agreement, PathVantage will make samples available to Cancer Genetics to further validate the FHACT test and support additional publications on the test. The FHACT test, which is designed to enable early detection of cervical cancers caused by human papillomavirus and help physicians make decisions about treating patients, was launched in November last year.
Cancer Genetics said the alliance is part of its strategy to partner with regional testing providers to help commercialize the test. Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Many women in the United States and around the world are undergoing invasive procedures that may be unnecessary, time-consuming, and costly because no test has previously existed to identify the lesions that are likely to progress to cervical cancer," Cancer Genetics CEO Panna Sharma said in a statement. "Our collaboration with PathAdvantage is an important step in making this test more widely available and we hope will provide a tremendous service in increasing timely diagnosis while potentially lowering costs."