CombiMatrix Launches Nationally its Technical Only Program for Reference Laboratories
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Acacia Research Corporation has announced that, its CombiMatrix group’s subsidiary, CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX), has launched its Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) Technical Only Program (TOP) for reference laboratories and other clients. Two laboratories have established partnerships with CMDX under TOP.
Clinical diagnostic tests are typically comprised of two components, the technical, wet-lab component and the professional medical-interpretation component. From a reimbursement perspective, these two components are considered independent of each other and billed separately.
Most laboratories only offer their tests with these components combined, known in the industry as a “global service.” CMDX offers its global service to all of its prescribing physicians and patients and now offers TOP for reference laboratory partners.
TOP partners will market CMDX array services to their clients and contract for services with CMDX. After partners receive orders and samples, they will be sent to CMDX’s CLIA Laboratory, where all testing will be completed. The partner is provided the data electronically, whereupon interpretation is completed by the partner’s medical director, and the professional medical interpretation fee is billed.
According to Company, this program enables incorporation of array CGH testing into any laboratory’s menu, creates a revenue stream for the lab, and provides greater customer reach for CMDX. CMDX has beta-tested this program initially and has now launched it nationally.
“Our TOP client option for array CGH testing is revolutionary in many regards. First and foremost, it dismantles the ‘black-box’ image of so many new emerging genomics tests and openly presents the data in a readily interpretable, concise, and transparent manner,” explains Dr. Mansoor Mohammed, President and CEO of CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics.
“While technical only services exist as a component of the laboratory industry for routine genetic testing, we are the only laboratory to begin offering this service for array-based tests,” he said.
“CMDX’s TOP has allowed us to transform our diagnostic laboratory by incorporating sought-after array-CGH testing services into our test menu, without having to invest in increasing staff or buying equipment,” explains Dr. Greg Mengden, Laboratory Director of Southwest Genetics Laboratory, San Antonio’s largest private genetics reference laboratory.
“We needed to incorporate array-CGH testing into our diagnostic menu to provide the best options to our clients. After considering a number of options, we chose to ally with CMDX and have been sending patient samples to Irvine for 6 months,” Dr. Mengden continued.
“We recently opened our molecular diagnostics reference laboratory at the University of Michigan, and recognized that we could efficiently incorporate BAC array CGH testing into our repertoire with TOP,” explains Dr. Ram Iyer, Director, Molecular Genetics. “We feel this alliance will be very successful for both organizations.”
