Myriad Genetics, Inc. MYGN recently announced the issuance of a final local coverage determination (LCD) by the Medicare Administrative Contractor Palmetto GBA MolDx for the myPath Melanoma test. Notably, myPath Melanoma is a clinically confirmed test to be used as an adjunct to histopathology. The test holds importance when histopathology alone cannot conclusively differentiate between a benign nevus and a malignant melanoma.

Moreover, the myPath Melanoma test examines 23 genes and has demonstrated accuracy in multiple studies.

Market Potential

Myriad Genetics earlier stated that on LCD finalization, myPath Melanoma will begin contributing to the top line from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Again, the company believes that Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States. In fact, more than one million skin biopsies are performed yearly and roughly 15% of patients have an equivocal skin lesion.

According to the American Cancer Society, around 96,480 Americans are expected to be identified with melanoma in 2019.  Given the data, we believe the latest development is a timely one and will significantly contribute to the top line in the near term.

Impressive Reimbursement Progress So Far

During the fiscal second quarter, four state Medicaid programs, including Florida, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania, added average risk coverage to their medical policies. Altogether, this represented an additional 18% of Medicaid lives. Also, three additional Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate plans updated their medical policy to cover average-risk testing from the fiscal first quarter.

Myriad Genetics reached a major milestone with the publication of the GeneSight GUIDED study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. The company submitted the GeneSight dossier to commercial payers and state Medicaid programs, representing more than 200-million covered lives in the United States.

Further, Myriad Genetics’ EndoPredict test got included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Price Performance

Over the past three months, the company’s share price has outperformed the industry. The stock has gained 15.7% compared with the industry’s 13.2% growth.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Myriad Genetics sports a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Integer Holdings Corporation ITGR, Veeva Systems Inc. VEEV and Hologic, Inc. HOLX.

Integer Holdings projects earnings growth rate of 31.2% for the first quarter. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Veeva Systems’ long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 14.8%. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Hologic’s long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 8.9%. The stock presently has a Zacks Rank #2.

Is Your Investment Advisor Fumbling Your Financial Future?

See how you can more effectively safeguard your retirement with a new Special Report, “4 Warning Signs Your Investment Advisor Might Be Sabotaging Your Financial Future.”

Click to get it free >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research