Illumina unit Grail in hot water over erroneous cancer results – FT
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Over 400 patients who opted for early cancer detection tests developed by Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) subsidiary Grail received erroneous letters last month indicating that they may have developed cancer, The Financial Times reported Friday, citing an internal company document.
Over 408 patients were affected in the incident, which Grail attributed to an error on the part of its telemedicine provider PWNHealth. The company said it quickly contacted the affected customers to reassure them that their tests were inaccurate.
PWNHealth, a unit of digital health company Everlywell, noted that it launched an investigation and addressed the underlying issue within an hour of noticing it. The company added that processes are in place to ensure that the error does not happen again.
In the wake of the mishap, several insurers are reportedly having second thoughts on Grail, which claims that its blood-based multi-cancer early detection test, Galleri, can identify more than 50 tumor types.
U.S. life insurers MassMutual and Principal have acknowledged that some of their customers had been affected. MassMutual, one of the largest life insurance companies in the U.S., said it has put on hold its pilot with Grail, while Principal said its relationship with the company is under review.
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