Center for Translational and Policy Research on Precision Medicine
TRANSPERS 2023 in Review, Upcoming Research, Contributions to precision medicine initiatives, Upcoming conferences, and Staff news
Wed Apr 17, 2024
Letter from Center Director
Happy Spring! As we look back at 2023, I would like to thank the team for contributing to a productive year. As we jump into Spring, we have news to share on TRANSPERS participation at recent and upcoming conferences and committees, and on our growing team.
Do you have an announcement you would like to see in our next newsletter? Let us know!
Kathryn
TRANSPERS 2023 In Review – and What’s Coming
- Examined the perspectives and evidence needs of U.S. private payers on insurance coverage for multicancer early detection (MCED) tests - which are one of the most significant new technologies entering clinical care.
- Assessed the emergence of state legislation mandating insurance coverage of biomarker testing, which reflects a growing trend in using legislative efforts to improve access (in press).
- Quantified the impact on liquid biopsy testing for cancer patients on population inequalities - work that addresses the ongoing challenges of disparities in care.
In 2024, we are continuing our work on insurer coverage, access to care, value, and disparities. We are completing studies examining:
- Beyond Coverage: Role of payers in the implementation of new technologies.
- Huge Need, Huge Challenges: Policy implications of new tests for Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Access to Care is Not a One-Time Event: Cumulative impact of financial and access barriers across the care continuum.
- Genomics is Global: Global challenges to appropriate and effective use of clinical genomic sequencing.
TRANSPERS Director Phillips Joins National Academies Committee on Innovation and Named Brocher Foundation Scholar
TRANSPERS Director Kathryn Phillips is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to two initiatives on timely topics:
- Kathryn has been named a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Strategies to Better Align Investments in Innovations for Therapeutic Development with Disease Burden and Unmet Needs. The committee will examine the current degree and patterns of alignment or mismatch between innovation in developing novel therapies and unmet needs associated with US disease burden.
- Kathryn was recently selected as a Brocher Foundation Scholar. The Brocher Foundation is a Swiss foundation recognized for its promotion of multidisciplinary research on the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) of new medical developments and health policies. Since its inauguration in 2007, the Foundation has welcomed 50 researchers each year for extended stays at its location on Lake Geneva. The rigorous selection process conducted by the Scientific Committee allows experts to participate in high-quality workshops and to keep abreast of ELSI’s international news in medical development and health policy. Kathryn will spend a month in Geneva in 2025, focusing on how to improve the scientific publication process.
Highlighting Our Work: 2024 Conferences
We participated in the kick-off by the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center for their initiative on Early Cancer Detection and Interception, led by Dr. Margaret Tempero who noted that this is the “beginning of an exciting journey.”
Join TRANSPERS Collaborators as they speak at two upcoming conferences:
- ELSI Congress focusing on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research
- Annual Research Meeting, AcademyHealth
Introducing our Program Management Team: Welcome to Emily Scott and Michael Douglas returns
