Northwell opens $3.2M molecular diagnostics laboratory

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In Lake Success, Northwell Health’s Cancer InstituteCe’s nter for Genomic Medicine has opened a $3.2 million Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, or MDL.

The 2,800-square-foot facility is designed to identify targeted cancer therapies. Northwell said that the lab will enhance the ability to accurately diagnose and provide a prognosis for cancer patients. The measure is also expected lower to costs to both the patients and health system.

Complying with regulatory and quality standards, the MDL is designed to integrate with the health system’s existing labs, operations and clinical staff. The new lab is equipped to analyze solid tumor and blood samples for specific genetic mutations, or biomarkers. With this technology, the health system expects to generate “dramatically faster turnaround time for results and deliver targeted treatments for patients,” according to a news release about the new lab. Previously, the cancer institute had outsourced molecular diagnostic testing.

The lab’s team includes physicians, scientists, cancer genetics researchers, molecular pathologists, experts in bioinformatics and clinical technologists. The team will also collaborate with an existing molecular tumor board.

“We are proud to unveil our Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory designed to deliver point-of-care genomic testing to improve the lives of patients with cancer, which is the standard of care in oncology,” Jeff Boyd, vice president, chief scientific officer and director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute’s Center for Genomic Medicine, said in the news release.

“This clinical achievement further demonstrates our commitment to advancing cancer care and access to precision medicine throughout our health system and the communities we serve,” he added.

“Providing in-house biomarker testing for all cancer patients in the health system means faster lab results, which can lead to treatments starting sooner,” Dr. Richard Barakat, physician-in-chief and executive director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, said in the news release.

“Now, we can provide patients with test results in 48 hours or less compared to three weeks with an outside commercial lab,” he added. “Our oncology teams offer an extraordinary continuum of care for our patients with cancer and their loved ones – and the most advanced genomic diagnostic testing.”