ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Nov 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
CEO Marc Grodman M.D. of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (BRLI) (NASDAQ
- BRLI) was one of the key panelists at a November 17 bi-partisan policy
forum in Washington, D.C. The panel, sponsored by media outlet The Hill
and the American Clinical Laboratory Association, included Congressman
Michael Burgess (R - Tex.) and Congressman Charles Gonzalez (D - Tex.)
Industry participants included Mara Bloom, Executive Director of the
Cancer Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, Bill McGivney, CEO of
the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Simon Tripp, Senior
Director of the Battelle Institute.
Among the topics discussed was the commercialization of a breakthrough
solid tumor testing program being jointly introduced by Bio-Reference
Laboratories and Massachusetts General Hospital. "This program will be a
big leap forward in solid tumor diagnostics leading to dramatically
improved disease management," said Dr. Grodman. "We are fortunate to
have one of the leading cancer care facilities in the world in
Massachusetts General with which to partner." The program will launch in
early 2012.
Among the other topics discussed was a proposed move by the FDA to
regulate genetic testing. Congressman Burgess, who is a doctor, has
introduced a bill to block this effort. He cited the long delays in the
FDA approval process already being experienced in other industries as a
prime reason for his opposition. "We need a regulatory framework that is
sensitive to the fact that this is an evolving science," Burgess said.
Dr. Grodman also spoke on this topic. "Freezing technology, freezing
innovation in an industry that is already regulated only has an effect
to increase cost." The tests are currently regulated under the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). "Moving oversight from CMS to
the FDA would make it harder to get the most out of genetic testing,"
stated Dr. Grodman. "We need the ability to innovate; we need the
ability to provide data, we need the ability to take better care of
cancer patients."
About Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.
BRLI is the fourth largest full service laboratory in the United States
and the largest independent regional laboratory in the Northeastern
market, primarily a clinical testing laboratory servicing physician
offices with concentrations in the focused markets of esoteric testing,
molecular diagnostics, anatomical pathology, women's health and
correctional health care. BRLI operates as a national oncology
laboratory as GenPath. Better science, superior technology and better
service have enabled GenPath to earn a reputation as one of the premier
hematopathology laboratories in the country. BRLI's innovative
technology platform for sexually transmitted infections has enabled it
to expand as a national laboratory in the area of Women's Health.
GeneDx, a wholly owned subsidiary, is the BRLI genetics laboratory and
is typically recognized as the leading laboratory for testing of rare
genetic diseases; GeneDx has now become a technology leader with
GenomeDx, based on a CGH array platform and its NextGen sequence
offerings that are currently offered in cardiology and will be offered
in the future in other disease specific areas.
SOURCE: Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.
Dick Wolfe, 201-964-2409
