Quest Diagnostics 2009 Annual Report Download - page 15

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 15 of the 2009 Quest Diagnostics annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 124

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80
  • 81
  • 82
  • 83
  • 84
  • 85
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 89
  • 90
  • 91
  • 92
  • 93
  • 94
  • 95
  • 96
  • 97
  • 98
  • 99
  • 100
  • 101
  • 102
  • 103
  • 104
  • 105
  • 106
  • 107
  • 108
  • 109
  • 110
  • 111
  • 112
  • 113
  • 114
  • 115
  • 116
  • 117
  • 118
  • 119
  • 120
  • 121
  • 122
  • 123
  • 124

outsourced to an esoteric clinical testing laboratory, which specializes in performing these complex tests. We
conduct complex and specialized testing, including molecular diagnostics, in our two world renowned Nichols
Institute laboratory facilities (one on each U.S. coast), and in a number of other locations, including Focus
Diagnostics.
Our esoteric laboratories provide reference testing services to physicians, large academic medical centers,
hospitals and other commercial laboratories. Our esoteric testing laboratories perform hundreds of complex tests
that are not routinely performed by our regional laboratories, including but not limited to the following fields:
•endocrinology and metabolism (the study of glands, their hormone secretions and their effects on body
growth and metabolism);
•genetics (the study of chromosomes, genes and their protein products and effects);
•hematology (the study of blood and bone marrow cells) and coagulation (the process of blood clotting);
•immunogenetics and human leukocyte antigens (HLA) (solid organ and bone marrow transplantation;
eligibility for vaccines; selection of pharmacotherapeutic agents and immunotherapy);
•immunology (the study of the immune system, including antibodies, cytokines, immune system cells and
their effect, receptor systems and autoimmune diseases);
•microbiology and infectious diseases (the study of microscopic forms of life, including parasites, bacteria,
viruses, fungi and other infectious agents);
•oncology (the study of abnormal cell growth, including benign tumors and cancer);
•serology (a science dealing with body fluids and their analysis, including antibodies, proteins and other
characteristics); and
•toxicology (the study of chemicals and drugs and their adverse effects on the body).
We believe that offering a full range of gene-based and other esoteric tests strengthens our market offering
and market position and enhances our reputation as the nation’s leading test provider.
Scientific Innovation. We are a leading innovator in the clinical testing industry, with capabilities ranging
from early discovery to validation of clinical tests. We develop tests at our laboratories, such as Quest
Diagnostics Nichols Institute; we also develop innovative techniques in anatomic pathology. We collaborate with
leading academic centers and maintain relationships with advisors and consultants that are leaders in key fields,
such as cardiology, oncology and infectious disease. In connection with our research and development efforts, our
medical and scientific experts publish in peer-reviewed journals research that demonstrates the clinical value and
importance of diagnostic testing. In 2009, they published several articles that provide fundamental insights into
the nature of cystic fibrosis and leukemia. We successfully transfer technical innovations to the market through
our relationships with technology developers, including the academic community and pharmaceutical and
biotechnology firms, our in-house expertise and our collaborations with emerging medical technology companies
that develop and commercialize novel diagnostics, pharmaceutical and device technologies. We search for new
opportunities and continue to build a robust pipeline of new tests in screening, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
choice, which assists physicians in early detection of diseases and may reduce healthcare costs. Through our
strengths in assay development and the commercialization of tests services, we believe that we are the partner of
choice for developers of new technologies and tests to introduce their products to the marketplace.
We focus our resources on key disease states and technologies that help doctors care for their patients
through better screening, monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choices. We also look for tests that are
less invasive than currently available options, to increase the choices that physicians and patients have for the
collection of diagnostic samples. With these priorities in mind, we recently introduced a number of new tests
which are discussed below.
•Cancer.
- We introduced our ColoVantageTM test, a blood test designed to aid in the detection of colorectal
cancer, based on DNA methylation of the Septin9 gene. We are the first commercial laboratory in the
U.S. to offer a laboratory developed test based on the Septin9 biomarker.
- We introduced EGFR Pathway, a test that identifies, in a single reflex test offering, genetic mutations in
the KRAS, NRAS and BRAF genes that inhibit anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy response
in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
- We collaborated closely with Vermillion, Inc. on the development of its FDA-cleared OVA1 ovarian
cancer test. This multi-analyte test, which uses a proprietary algorithm, provides a new option for
5