Debbie Hart, President & CEO, BioNJ. –
New Jersey has long served as the breeding ground for critical medical innovation in cancer care. The accomplishments driven by our state, its institutions and its residents have made a profound global impact. From local scientists developing innovative strategies to treat prostate cancer, to researchers leading cutting-edge clinical trials for challenging cancers like metastatic brain and HPV-related cancers, our contributions are shaping the future of medicine.
New Jersey’s ongoing contributions to the cancer community are exemplified by the vital work being done by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center at Rutgers and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. Unfortunately, despite its leadership, New Jersey continues to face significant gaps in access to care across the cancer continuum, particularly in the availability of biomarker testing for its residents.
Biomarker testing is an invaluable asset in cancer care, as well as the treatment of other diseases, offering a precision medicine approach that uses information from patients’ cancer cells to tailor the most effective treatment. By matching patients with targeted therapies, assessing risk and prognosis and helping avoid ineffective or unnecessary treatments, biomarker testing ensures the right treatment is administered at the right time.
Studies show that biomarker-informed treatments can lower the risk of cancer death, improve survival rates and enhance quality of life. As BioNJ, the life sciences trade association for New Jersey, represents the full biopharma ecosystem, we have witnessed firsthand how biomarker testing not only enhances patient outcomes but also bolsters our state’s legacy of medical innovation.
In recent years, we’ve seen the role of biomarker testing in clinical trials explode with the percentage of cancer clinical trials that involve biomarkers growing from 15 percent in 2000 to 55 percent in 2018. If clinical trials are the engine driving cancer research, then biomarker testing is the fuel that powers that engine. Biomarker testing is a vital, active ingredient in cancer research and data reflect this; between 2016 and 2020, 37 of the 62 oncology drugs launched required or recommended biomarker testing prior to use.
Despite the proven benefits of biomarker testing in clinical trials and treatment development, many insurers in New Jersey do not cover the most appropriate biomarker tests for all patients who could benefit. A recent study revealed that 31 percent of New Jerseyans are covered by plans with more restrictive coverage than is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) guidelines for four advanced cancers. These restrictive policies force many patients to choose between paying out-of-pocket or foregoing the testing, hoping that the treatment prescribed without this personalized information will be effective.
The New Jersey State Legislature has a critical opportunity to address the gap in access to biomarker testing. S3098 / A4163 seeks to expand access to biomarker testing for more patients covered by state-regulated health plans who stand to benefit. This bipartisan proposal offers a clear path to rectify an existing inequity, reaffirm New Jersey’s commitment to cutting-edge medicine and strengthen its leadership in driving groundbreaking medical advancements.
BioNJ is proud to represent New Jersey’s thriving life sciences industry and strongly supports the enactment of S3098 / A4163, which promises to bring transformative benefits to New Jerseyans. Progress in medical innovation benefits all of us, both individually and collectively. This is a bill that will help foster that innovation. In addition to promoting discoveries through clinical trials, greater utilization of biomarker testing may incentivize companies to fund more research into precision medicine, enabling more scientific breakthroughs in, for example, more efficient, cost-effective approaches to testing and treatment. Advancements in medical innovation benefit us all, both individually and collectively, and this bill will help nurture that progress. By promoting discoveries through clinical trials, increased use of biomarker testing could encourage companies to invest more in precision medicine research, paving the way for scientific breakthroughs, such as more efficient and cost-effective approaches to testing and treatment.
I urge lawmakers to seize this opportunity to invest in the future of medical innovation in our state. By doing so, we can reaffirm New Jersey’s leadership in the fight against cancer, pave the way for transformative progress in healthcare and most of all ensure patients have access to the medicines they need most.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ROI-NJ. To submit an op-ed or commentary, send to editorial@roi-nj.com.
