Replies to post #193499 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

EXAS -45%/AH on harsh USPSTF guidelines; EXAS’ PR doesn’t tell the real story:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cologuard-included-alternative-screening-test-002100717.html

Exact Sciences issued the following statement today following the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft recommendation statement for colorectal cancer screening.

USPSTF included Cologuard in the draft guidelines as an alternative screening test, along with CT colonography. The draft guidelines recommend an “A” rating for colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75. Screening for individuals age 75 through 85 is graded a “C.” This approach represents a change from the 2008 recommendations, which assigned specific grades for different tests, including an “I” rating for stool-based DNA.

The above makes it sound as though there's no problem, but that’s not the case. The USPSTF guidelines just issued* say that Cologuard is no better than the old FIT test (which is one of the components of Cologuard). Cologuard has yet to receive reimbursement from most private payers, and USPSTF’s opinion will make it harder to do so.

*No link (sorry).