The 9th Annual Next Generation Dx Summit, held in Washington, D.C., will welcome over 1,000 industry experts from across the globe to network and collaborate on issues facing the diagnostics space.

Key topics on the agenda include novel immunotherapy biomarkers, cell-free DNA, companion diagnostics, infectious disease, point-of-care, pharmacy-based diagnostics, clinical NGS assays, commercialization, reimbursement, prenatal testing, circulating tumor cells, critical care, forensics, digital PCR, microfluidics, and microbiome diagnostics.

Offering an impressive curriculum of speakers and timely discussions, the Next Generation Dx Summit has become a must-attend event for Slone Partners and for other leading industry organizations. To assist with selecting your sessions, we are providing you with our list of the Five Must See Talks at NGDx 2017.

1. FDA Perspective on Translational Biomarkers in Immuno-Oncology

Tuesday, August 15, 5:20 PM

With the rapid evolvement of immuno-oncology based therapies, it is important to develop robust and accurate in vitro diagnostic assays that translate well to the clinical setting. This talk will provide a brief overview of the current landscape of immuno-oncology based biomarker diagnostic assays, followed by a discussion of assay development and validation considerations to facilitate successful regulatory submissions of immuno-oncology companion diagnostics.

Speaker: Mark Gustavson, Ph.D., Senior Staff Fellow, In vitro Diagnostics, Division of Molecular Genetics and Pathology, FDA

2. Reimbursement of Genomic Profiling in Oncology – Best Practices

Wednesday, August 16, 7:30 AM

  • Is/Can genomic profiling transform/ing cancer care?
  • What are the reimbursement challenges and opportunities for genomic profiling?
  • What are some best practices to achieve value-based market access and reimbursement of genomic profiling?

Moderator: Jerry Conway, Vice President, Payer Relations & Reimbursement, Foundation Medicine, Inc.

3. Reimbursement Crisis in Molecular Diagnostics Is a Myth

Wednesday, August 16, 8:55 AM

While it is true that there is ambiguity within the reimbursement landscape, in most cases, the lack of reimbursement in our industry is the result of self-inflicted wounds. Payors have made it clear what industry must do to get paid and the industry continues to ignore what they hear.

Speaker: William Haack, Vice President, Market Access & Business Operations, Commercial Operations, OncoCyte

4. Universal Pathogen Detection by Next-Generation Sequencing in Routine Diagnostic Practice

Wednesday, August 16, 5:00 PM

Routine tests often fail to provide etiologic diagnoses in common diseases like pneumonia and encephalitis/meningitis. Early etiologic diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and reduces morbidity and mortality. NGS strategies can provide universal pathogen detection and improved diagnostic yield. However, complex workflows and long turnaround times have hindered adoption. ARUP Laboratories has developed and validated tools for rapid NGS-based universal pathogen detection providing results within 48 hours. 

Speaker: Robert Schlaberg, M.D., MPH, Medical Director, ARUP Laboratories, Assistant Professor of Pathology, The University of Utah

5. The Role of Molecular Diagnostics in Antibiotics Stewardships Programs and Challenges Associated with Implementation of Genotypic Assays for Detection of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms

Thursday, August 17, 3:35 PM

Rapid molecular testing can offer a change in paradigm for susceptibility testing and can have a significant impact on patient care. The direct testing for genes associated with resistance to 4 major classes of antibiotics with a high-throughput PCR platform is a powerful screening tool that can be utilized in clinical settings to lower healthcare costs, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and improve patient care.

 Speaker: Elena Grigorenko, Vice President, Research and Development, Diatherix, Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics, LLC

Slone Partners is a leading executive search firm and an active participant in the diagnostics space. Since 2000, Slone Partners has been chosen by innovative, world-class organizations to fill their key leadership roles. To learn more about how to secure premier talent to grow your organization or to schedule a meeting at NGDx 2017, please contact us www.slonepartners.com/contact-us.