Epredia, a prominent player in precision cancer diagnostics and a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, alongside NovaScan, a developer of revolutionary cancer detection technology, have inked a letter of intent for an exclusive U.S. commercial distribution pact for MarginScan™. This groundbreaking medical device aids physicians in real-time identification of non-melanoma skin cancer. Epredia has enlisted Avantik, a specialist in supporting diagnostic labs, to facilitate the distribution of this innovation to Mohs surgeons.
Skin cancer ranks as the most prevalent group of cancers diagnosed globally, with estimates suggesting that one in five Americans will confront it in their lifetime. Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) particularly affect over 3 million Americans annually, with more than 20 percent anticipated to develop NMSC before age 70. Many NMSC surgeries involve excisions that may unnecessarily remove substantial healthy tissue around the suspected cancer.
MarginScan™ addresses this challenge by supporting Mohs surgery procedures for skin cancer treatment. Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is a surgical method employed to detect tumor presence or absence in excision margins. MarginScan™ employs electrical assessment to confirm cancer-free margins without the need for intraoperative histological assessment, potentially enabling faster excisions with minimal healthy tissue removal.
In the planned agreement, Epredia will act as the primary distributor of MarginScan™ with exclusive rights in the U.S. Alongside distribution, Epredia will oversee all marketing and commercial activities related to MarginScan™’s launch and sales. Epredia will collaborate closely with Avantik to market and sell the device to Mohs surgeons.
MarginScan™ will augment Epredia’s elite portfolio of precision cancer diagnostics, offering a seamless laboratory workflow. Epredia will also provide consumables like the MarginScan™ electrode and proprietary electrolytic gel used during excisions.
The anticipated U.S. launch for MarginScan™ is set for 2025. This agreement builds upon a previous partnership between NovaScan and PHC Corporation, another subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, focusing on innovative medical testing devices. Steven Lynum, Epredia’s president, emphasized their commitment to delivering superior solutions that aid providers in making faster, more accurate diagnoses, ultimately enhancing patient care. Craig Davis, CEO of NovaScan, expressed excitement about partnering with Epredia to introduce MarginScan™ to clinical healthcare providers, believing it will significantly impact skin cancer detection and treatment.