Data Shows Misconceptions Fuel Cancer Fears but Genetic Testing Can Help New Myriad Genetics Cancer Risk Survey shows that more than half of women at high-risk for hereditary cancer would feel "empowered" by more advanced screening like genetic testing NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new nationwide survey from Myriad Genetics shows many women fear cancer screenings—yet most say genetic testing would actually give them peace of mind. During a recent satellite media tour in partnership with Myri ...

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation Quest Diagnostics to Improve Laboratory Testing Experience with Industry-First Epic Collaboration Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) and Epic today announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration designed to streamline and improve experiences for... SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:Â DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, today announced that it will report third quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, October 21 ...

Core Viewpoint - Biodesix, Inc. announced a one-for-twenty reverse stock split effective September 15, 2025, aimed at reducing the number of outstanding shares and potentially improving the stock's market perception [1][2]. Group 1: Reverse Stock Split Details - The reverse stock split was approved by stockholders on May 20, 2025, with the final ratio determined by the board of directors [2]. - The number of shares will decrease from approximately 156 million to about 8 million, with adjustments for fractional shares [2]. - The reverse stock split will not change stockholders' percentage ownership interests, except for fractional shares, which will be compensated in cash [3]. Group 2: Impact on Equity Incentive Plans - The number of shares available under the Company's equity incentive plans and the exercise prices of outstanding options and warrants will be proportionately adjusted [4]. Group 3: Administrative Process - Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will act as the transfer agent, managing the transition to post-split shares without requiring action from registered stockholders [5]. - Stockholders with certificated shares will receive instructions from Computershare on how to surrender their pre-split shares [5]. Group 4: Company Overview - Biodesix is a leader in personalized diagnostics, focusing on improving clinical care and outcomes for patients, particularly in lung disease [7].

Summary of Castle Biosciences Conference Call Company Overview - Castle Biosciences is a diagnostic services company focused on guiding patient care and improving outcomes through a portfolio of tests, including MyPath Melanoma, DecisionDx-Melanoma, DecisionDx-SCC, and TissueCypher for Barrett's esophagus [3][4][5] Key Products and Services - **MyPath Melanoma**: A genomic test for identifying or ruling out melanoma in indeterminate biopsy samples [3] - **DecisionDx-Melanoma and DecisionDx-SCC**: Tests providing risk scores for skin cancers, aiding in treatment decisions [4] - **TissueCypher**: A spatial protein test for assessing the risk of Barrett's esophagus progressing to esophageal cancer, with a five-year mortality rate of 85% for esophageal cancer [4] - **ESOPredict**: Recently acquired test with similar utility to TissueCypher, aimed at identifying Barrett's esophagus [5] - **Atopic Dermatitis Program**: Collaboration with Cybase to identify flares of atopic dermatitis [3][5] Financial Performance - The company reported strong growth in its portfolio and maintained a high gross margin, with approximately $275 million in cash at year-end, positioning it well for future opportunities [5][6] Market Penetration and Growth Potential - Current testing penetration for melanoma is estimated at 30-31% of suitable patients, with significant room for growth as melanoma is underreported [9][10] - Approximately 55-60% of eligible clinicians have used Castle's dermatology tests, indicating potential for increased adoption [10] - Long-term growth is expected to be in the high single digits, with seasonal variations impacting volume [13][15] Reimbursement and Coverage - The company received acceptance for reconsideration requests for its squamous cell carcinoma test from Medicare contractors, which is seen as a positive administrative milestone [20][21] - Significant publications supporting the clinical utility of the SCC test suggest potential cost savings for Medicare, which could influence future coverage decisions [23][24] Strategic Direction - Castle Biosciences aims to identify clinical questions that lack adequate answers and develop tests to address these needs, with a focus on both dermatology and gastroenterology [26][30] - The company has expanded its sales force to enhance market penetration, particularly in the GI space, and is focused on maintaining strong relationships with physicians [36][39] Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued strong growth for its tests, particularly TissueCypher, with an expanding patient pool and positive physician response [40][41] - There is an ongoing emphasis on R&D to enhance existing tests and develop new ones, ensuring the company remains competitive in the diagnostic testing market [7][34] Additional Insights - The company has made strategic acquisitions, such as Previse, to enhance its product offerings and address unmet clinical needs [31][32] - The focus on automation and efficiency in lab processes has contributed to maintaining attractive gross margins despite varying profitability across different test types [34][35]

Core Viewpoint - Biodesix, Inc. will participate in Lake Street Capital Markets' 9th Annual Best Ideas Growth (BIG9) Conference, with CFO Robin Cowie hosting in-person 1x1 investor meetings on September 11, 2025 [1]. Company Overview - Biodesix is a leading diagnostic solutions company focused on improving clinical care and outcomes for patients [2]. - The company offers diagnostic tests such as Nodify Lung® Nodule Risk Assessment and IQLung® Cancer Treatment Guidance, which assist in clinical decision-making for lung disease [2]. - Biodesix Development Services support biopharmaceutical and life sciences institutions in developing diagnostic tests, tools, and therapeutics [2].

Core Insights - Quest Diagnostics has launched an advanced pharmacogenomic (PGx) laboratory test service to help healthcare providers understand patients' genetic responses to drug therapies, aiming to optimize medication selection and dosing across various medical specialties [1][2][3] Group 1: Service Overview - The PGx offering includes testing for 17 genes and 4 HLA alleles, which are associated with drug responses, and is informed by expert groups such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and the FDA [2][5] - The service provides a comprehensive report that includes genotype and predicted phenotypic response, along with medication guidance through a personalized report powered by Coriell Life Sciences [3][4] Group 2: Clinical Implications - The PGx testing aims to reduce trial-and-error in prescribing, potentially preventing therapeutic failures and adverse drug interactions (ADIs), which are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [2][5] - By leveraging genetic insights, the service supports safer and more effective prescribing decisions tailored to individual genetic profiles [5] Group 3: Accessibility and Collaboration - Patients can access the testing through Quest's 2,000 patient service centers or via home collection services, enhancing convenience for patients [4] - The collaboration between InformedDNA and Coriell Life Sciences aims to translate complex genetic data into actionable insights for healthcare providers, promoting individualized care [4][6] Group 4: Company Background - Quest Diagnostics serves a significant portion of the U.S. population, providing diagnostic insights that empower healthcare decisions and improve health outcomes [8] - The acquisition of Coriell Life Sciences by InformedDNA enhances the capabilities in pharmacogenomics, aiming to optimize clinical decisions and reduce healthcare costs [6][7]

Core Insights - The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index reveals a significant increase in fentanyl positivity among the U.S. workforce, particularly in random drug tests compared to pre-employment tests [1][2][3] Drug Use Trends - Overall workplace urine drug positivity slightly declined to 4.4% in 2024 from 4.6% in 2023, but fentanyl positivity in random tests was 707% higher than in pre-employment tests [2][3][7] - Fentanyl positivity in random testing was 1.13%, while pre-employment testing showed only 0.14% [3] - Marijuana positivity remained steady at 4.5%, with post-accident positivity at 7.3% in 2024 [6] Co-positivity Rates - In 2024, 60% of fentanyl-positive specimens also tested positive for other drugs, with 22% also positive for marijuana, a rate that has doubled since 2020 [4][5] - Amphetamines positivity increased to 1.7% from 1.5% in 2023, while cocaine positivity remained unchanged at 0.24% [9] Safety and Compliance - The report indicates ongoing concerns regarding drug use in the workplace, with a notable increase in fentanyl use after employees have passed pre-employment screenings [5][8] - The Department of Health and Human Services added fentanyl to the authorized drug testing panel starting July 7, 2025, reflecting the growing concern over opioid-related overdoses [5] Testing Positivity Variations - For-cause testing positivity declined to 33.1% in 2024 from 39.4% in 2023, while post-accident testing positivity fell slightly from 10.4% to 10.2% [11][12] - Among federally mandated, safety-sensitive workers, for-cause positivity was 12.6%, down from 14.5% in 2023, indicating effective compliance programs [13]

Core Insights - Quest Diagnostics has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for its Haystack MRD® test, aimed at identifying MRD-positive patients with stage II colorectal cancer post-surgery who may benefit from adjuvant therapy [1][3] - The Haystack MRD test is supported by a growing body of research indicating its effectiveness in detecting residual or recurrent cancer from solid tumors, enhancing both clinical and pharmaceutical applications [2][4] Company Overview - Quest Diagnostics is a leading provider of diagnostic information services, serving one in three adult Americans and half of the physicians and hospitals in the U.S. [6] - The company emphasizes the importance of diagnostic insights derived from laboratory testing to improve health outcomes and empower healthcare decisions [6] Product Details - Haystack MRD is a liquid biopsy test designed to detect low levels of circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream, which can indicate residual, recurrent, or resistant disease in cancer patients [5] - The test has been utilized in multiple clinical trials and is available for clinical use across over 75 top cancer and academic centers [5] Research and Development - The Breakthrough Devices Program aims to expedite the development and approval of medical devices that provide effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening conditions, which aligns with the goals of Quest Diagnostics in advancing the Haystack MRD test [3] - A recent survey indicated that 96% of oncologists believe MRD testing can identify cancer recurrence earlier than current methods, highlighting the test's potential impact on clinical practices [4]

Core Insights - Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX) is focusing on advanced diagnostics to enhance patient care and drive growth through strategic acquisitions and cost management [1][2][3] Financial Performance - The stock has increased by 20.6% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 0.5% and the S&P 500's rise of 15.9% [2] - Quest Diagnostics has a market capitalization of $20.44 billion and an earnings yield of 5.33%, higher than the industry's 4.81% [2] - The company has consistently surpassed earnings estimates over the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 2.09% [2][3] Growth Drivers - The company is targeting five clinical areas for growth: advanced cardiometabolic, autoimmune, brain health, oncology, and women's and reproductive health [3][4] - In Q2 2025, Quest Diagnostics reported double-digit revenue growth in advanced cardiometabolic and autoimmune testing [8] - The acquisition of PathAI Diagnostics aims to enhance AI and digital pathology adoption for improved cancer diagnosis [6][8] Acquisition Strategy - Quest Diagnostics completed eight acquisitions in 2024, including LifeLabs and Allina Health's lab assets, which expanded its market presence [5][6] - Revenue contributions from acquisitions were 10% in Q2, with LifeLabs contributing approximately 8% [6][8] Operational Efficiency - The company is implementing a cost-savings program called Invigorate, targeting 3% annual savings through automation and AI technologies [9][10] - Employee retention has improved, indicating positive trends in workforce management [9] Debt and Economic Concerns - As of Q2 2025, long-term debt stood at $5.17 billion, with cash and cash equivalents at $319 million, raising concerns about financial stability [11] - The evolving U.S. healthcare system poses risks, including potential changes in government payer reimbursement policies [12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share has increased by 0.4% to $9.74, with revenue estimates at $10.85 billion, indicating a 9.9% growth from the previous year [13]

Company Overview - Quest Diagnostics is a leader in diagnostic information services, providing insights from laboratory testing to improve health outcomes [3] - The company serves one in three adult Americans and half of the physicians and hospitals in the United States, employing over 55,000 individuals [3] Upcoming Event - Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO, and President of Quest Diagnostics, will discuss the company's strategy, performance, and market trends at the Baird 2025 Global Healthcare Conference on September 10, 2025, at 10:50 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - The event will be webcast live on the company's investor relations page, with an archived version available within 24 hours after the event, remaining accessible until October 3, 2025 [2]