LA JOLLA, Calif. & PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMTK) (“DermTech” or the “Company”), a leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin genomics platform, announced today an agreement with Sonora Quest Laboratories (Sonora Quest), Arizona’s leading diagnostic laboratory, to expand access to enhanced melanoma detection. As a result of the agreement, Sonora Quest will be the exclusive laboratory in Arizona to offer the DermTech Melanoma Test to its vast network of healthcare providers.
The DermTech Melanoma Test uses a non-invasive Smart Sticker™ to lift skin cells from the surface of a patient’s skin to be tested for select genomic markers associated with melanoma. It rules out melanoma with over 99% reliability. The agreement between DermTech and Sonora Quest will increase the availability of the DermTech Melanoma Test to Arizonans through a visit to their healthcare providers within the Sonora Quest network. Not only will this provide additional patient populations with heightened access to the DermTech Melanoma Test, but it could also reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and referrals to specialists and reduce costs to the healthcare system.
“This agreement with Sonora Quest is a testament to our continued commitment to helping end deaths from melanoma,” said John Dobak, M.D., CEO of DermTech. “Given the frequency of patients asking their healthcare providers about suspicious moles, introducing a simple way for providers to rule out melanoma with confidence is key. We look forward to working with Sonora Quest to reach more patients who visit their healthcare providers as a first line of defense.”
“Arizonans spend significant time outdoors, potentially putting us at higher risk of skin cancer,” said David A. Dexter, president and CEO for Sonora Quest. “Early detection is key and our agreement with DermTech will provide greater access to this innovative testing method to detect melanoma. We’re dedicated to continually investing in innovative technology like this to make health care more convenient and provide better outcomes to all Arizonans.”
One of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, melanoma is most treatable when diagnosed early – in fact, the survival rate is 99% when detected early and only 27% once it spreads distantly.
To learn more about Sonora Quest, visit https://www.sonoraquest.com/. To learn more about DermTech, visit https://dermtech.com/.
About Sonora Quest Laboratories
Sonora Quest Laboratories, an Arizona-based joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), is one of the nation’s largest integrated laboratory systems. We are the trusted leader in diagnostic and information services with approximately 3,800 employees performing more than 97 million diagnostic tests per year. Our comprehensive test menu encompasses routine, molecular, prescription drug monitoring, genetic/genomic, women’s health, and pathology testing services. Sonora Quest is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, which helps ensure the highest standard of care for laboratory operations. To schedule an appointment, find one of our 70+ patient service centers across Arizona, or learn more about ordering tests without a provider’s order through My Lab ReQuest™, visit us at SonoraQuest.com. For press inquiries: SQL@LAVIDGE.com
About DermTech
DermTech is a leading genomics company in dermatology and is creating a new category of medicine, precision dermatology, enabled by its non-invasive skin genomics platform. DermTech’s mission is to improve the lives of millions by providing non-invasive precision dermatology solutions that enable individualized care. DermTech provides genomic analysis of skin samples collected non-invasively using its Smart Stickers™. DermTech markets and develops products that facilitate the early detection of skin cancers and is developing products that assess inflammatory diseases and customize drug treatments. For additional information, please visit DermTech.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates, and projections of DermTech may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” "outlook," “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations and evaluations with respect to: the performance, patient benefits, cost-effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s products and the market opportunity for these products, DermTech’s positioning and potential revenue growth, financial outlook and future financial performance, ability to maintain or improve its operating efficiency, implications and interpretations of any study results, expectations regarding reimbursement or cash collection patterns from Medicare from commercial payors and related billing practices or number of covered lives, and DermTech’s ability to expand its product offerings and develop pipeline products. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of DermTech and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against DermTech; (2) DermTech’s ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market its products; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and commercial payors; (5) the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage of or sufficient reimbursement for DermTech’s products; (6) DermTech’s ability to grow, manage growth and retain its key employees; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the market adoption and demand for DermTech’s products and services together with the possibility that DermTech may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” section of the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by DermTech with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other documents filed or to be filed by DermTech with the SEC, including subsequently filed reports. DermTech cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. DermTech does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
