NEW YORK(GenomeWeb) – Paradigm and newly formed Cure Forward today announced an agreement under which Paradigm will provide next-generation sequencing-based molecular profiling for cancer patients.
Paradigm will serve as a core diagnostic laboratory partner under the deal and will provide its PCDx clinical-grade NGS test to the collaboration, which is aimed at providing cancer patients better access to their molecular profiling data, the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based non-profit diagnostics firm said. Patients will be able to use their molecular data at Cure Forward to find relevant information, be invited to clinical trials, and participate in communities with similar patients, it added.
PCDx interrogates relevant genomic targets at more than 5,000X average depth of coverage with 66 therapeutic associations, Paradigm said, adding test results can be delivered in four to five business days.
Paradigm will report results to physicians ordering the test, and patients will be able to electronically retrieve the data through the Cure Forward platform. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cure Forward calls itself a "patient activation company" that provides patients the ability to use their molecular test data.
At Cure Forward's website, set to launch in September, patients will be able to request their genomic test results from physician-ordered laboratory tests. It has established partnership with diagnostic labs for on-demand data access upon patient requests, the firm said in a separate announcement. Its initial focus will be on oncology with plans to provide offerings in other conditions such as neurology and cardiovascular disease later.
"Cure Forward will provide Paradigm with a unique opportunity and cutting-edge social platform to engage oncology patients directly," Paradigm CEO Robert Penny said in a statement. "Like Cure Forward, we believe that patients own their data, which they can utilize to more proactively improve their care and outcomes."