Session Abstract – PMWC 2018 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: As Next Generation Sequencing continues to outpace Moores Law it’s broad adoption in a clinical environment still faces several barriers to entry, namely complexity in workflow and reimbursement. To economically enable value based healthcare, technology providers need to think bigger and reimbursement needs to be more broadly understood and simplified. Come hear from our expert panelists about their thoughts on the current state of reimbursement, where things are moving and how individuals not directly involved in reimbursement can influence and expedite change.
Session Chair Profile
Sr. Director Business Development, Edico Genome
Biography
Rebecca Hemenway is a precision medicine champion. As a serial intrepreneur, she is dedicated to bringing the world novel, cost effective and creative value-added healthcare solutions. Hemenway has conceptualized, commercialized and delivered innovative solutions at the intersect of clinical diagnostics, big genomic data and technology. Hemenway currently works as Sr. Director of Business Development at Edico Genome. Edico Genome is a San Diego-based startup that has developed the world’s first BioIT platform leveraging FPGA to accelerate and improve the accuracy of big genomic data. Previously, she has held various leadership positions at Illumina, Thermo Fisher and startups such as Helixis (acquired by Illumina) and Compendia Biosciences (acquired by Life Technologies). This provided Hemenway with both breadth and depth of industrial experience within early stage startups and globally recognized fortune 500 companies.
Speaker Profile
Co-Founder and CEO, Phosphorous
Biography
Alexander Bisignano serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Phosphorus. Alex is responsible for long-term direction and development of Phosphorus diagnostic tests, software, and research initiatives. Before Phosphorus, Alex co-founded Recombine, a clinical genetic testing company, which was acquired by CooperSurgical in May of 2016. At Phosphorus and Recombine Alex helped develop novel genotyping and next-generation sequencing platforms for clinical genetics. His work has been presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology and a number of other scientific programs. Alex has also appeared on Fox Business and Bloomberg TV as an expert in the genetic testing market. Alex received his B.A. in molecular biology from Princeton University and is a member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.
Speaker Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Principal, Bruce Quinn Associates LLC
Biography
Bruce Quinn, MD PhD, is a professional strategy consultant helping innovative companies achieve their goals under U.S. federal health policies. His consulting practice, with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, works with leading genomic, medical technology, and biopharma companies. Originally trained as a neuropathologist, earlier in his career he held tenure-track faculty positions at NYU Medical School and the Northwestern University School of Medicine. As a physician executive, he has held positions with Accenture’s healthcare strategies practice, the Medicare program, and with health policy groups in two law and lobbying firms. Recent publications have included articles on defining clinical utility for diagnostic tests and a review of the emerging digital genomics industry. In addition, his blog, www.DiscoveriesInHealthPolicy.com, covers innovative health care policy developments and receives over 100,000 hits per year. The website for Dr. Quinn’s firm is www.brucequinn.com .
Speaker Profile
M.S, M.B.A, Chief Business Officer & Head of Biopharma, Foundation Medicine
Biography
Melanie joined Foundation Medicine in 2016 as chief business officer and head, Biopharma. She brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate strategy and business development. Previously, Melanie was senior vice president, corporate strategy and business development, McKesson Distribution Solutions and McKesson Data & Analytics. She was responsible for identifying growth opportunities and working closely with the executive committee and operating team to drive business growth, financial performance and strategy execution. She was also senior vice president, corporate development at Geron Corporation and a partner and senior member of the global health practice at Booz & Company/Booz Allen Hamilton. She has been on the board of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, Bay Area Council and Healthcare Business Women’s Association. Melanie earned her MBA with honors from Columbia Business School, and her MS in business and economics from WHU Otto Beisheim School of Corporate Management in Koblenz, Germany.
Speaker Profile
Manager of Reimbursement Strategy, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Biography
Rob has over 20 years’ experience working with payers, providers, and CLIA labs. His current role includes design and execution of reimbursement strategies for Oncomine™ Dx Target Test: the first FDA-approved next-generation sequencing (NGS) in vitro diagnostic test for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), offering clinically actionable and analytical cancer-driver biomarker information to inform treatment decisions. This is a multi-marker companion diagnostic, developed in partnership with Pfizer and Novartis. Rob joined Thermo Fisher (formerly Life Technologies) in 2012, through an acquisition of Navigenics – where he led development and account growth of health plans, large employers, and voluntary benefit providers. Rob was also a Territory Vice President at RelayHealth, with duties that included payer-facing sales of solutions that included e-prescribing and webVisits. And prior to RelayHealth, Rob held senior sales and sales management positions with UnitedHealthcare.
Speaker Profile
B.S., Associate Director, Global Market Access, Illumina
Biography
Rick Nida is Associate Director of Global Market Access at Illumina. In this role, he works with a global team of Market Access professionals in developing patient access to Illumina NGS-based tests. Prior to Illumina, Rick has over a decade of Reimbursement and Market Access experience in molecular diagnostic companies, including Verinata, Novartis Dx and XDx (now CareDx).
