Summit Health Announces Internalization of Genomic Testing Cooperative State-of-The-Art Next Generation Sequencing DNA and RNA Profiling Tests for Tissue and Liquid Biopsy of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Neoplasms

LAKE FOREST, Calif. & WOODLAND PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2025--

Summit Health, part of Village MD and Genomic Testing Cooperative (GTC), the global leader in RNA innovation, are excited to announce today the launch of a newly established next generation sequencing service at the Summit Health laboratory in Woodland Park, NJ to offer comprehensive DNA and RNA profiling of solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms. The internalized GTC testing menu includes tissue and bone marrow-based DNA and RNA next generation sequencing of hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. Summit Health will now offer GTC’s peripheral blood and CSF-based liquid biopsy, Liquid Trace. This revolutionary liquid biopsy assay analyzes cell free DNA and RNA (cfDNA and cfRNA) for hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. This testing provides Summit/Village MD clinicians with a comprehensive precision diagnosis and monitoring tools to deliver state-of-the-art precision care for their patients. By running the tests locally in-house, Summit Health will reduce their send-out burden to multiple labs, standardize collection of data, shorten turn-around time and have the opportunity to participate in R&D, clinical trials and the development of IP.

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As a member of the GTC Co-Op group, Summit Health will gain access to cutting-edge scientific capabilities, access to a pipeline of innovation in diagnostics, and proprietary technology and datasets for R&D.

"We are very thrilled to partner with GTC in internalizing and adopting their comprehensive portfolio of tissue and liquid biopsy tests for hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. We believe that this testing is currently essential for the practice of precision medicine,” said Dr. Gordana Katava, DO, Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Summit Health/Village MD.

Dr. Maher Albitar, Founder, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at GTC, stated, “We are excited to add Summit and Village MD physicians to our Co-Op network. GTC was established on the promise of democratizing genomic science and next generation sequencing. This partnership is a step forward toward achieving our goal,” Dr. Albitar added. “The Co-OP model is not only standardizing next generation sequencing, but also providing ecosystem for cooperation, sharing knowledge and AI-based software, and reducing cost of internalizing NGS.”

About Summit Health

Summit Health, which is a part of VillageMD, helps patients with all their comprehensive primary care and multi-specialty care needs. Whether it’s getting annual checkups, raising a family, or prioritizing healthy aging, Summit Health works as a team to deliver care that helps patients make the right choices and stay a step ahead of any issues. Summit Health offers high-quality connected care services covering nearly every medical specialty including orthopedics, urology, dermatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and more. When patients need urgent care, they can visit Summit Health’s urgent care partner, CityMD, which has 180+ locations throughout N.Y. and N.J. Together, Summit Health and CityMD are one connected care team.

About GTC

Genomic Testing Cooperative [GTC], the global leader in RNA innovation, is a privately owned molecular testing company located in Lake Forest, California. Since its inception in 2018 GTC has been focused on facilitating the acceleration of access to NGS enabled precision medicine in Oncology through innovative science and differentiated business models and practices and has grown through the realization of these strategies to become a leading partner/provider in the Oncology NGS space helping healthcare organizations to tackle the biggest problems in Next Generation Sequencing for Oncology today.

For additional information on GTC please go to genomictestingcooperative.com

Forward Looking Statements

All the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on GTC and Summit Health management’s current expectations and include statements regarding the value of Molecular profiling, testing, therapy, and the ability of testing to provide clinically useful information. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Summit Health or GTC undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

Ribbon cutting ceremony on the new NGS lab

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves were missing star Anthony Edwards again.

Their poise was present and accounted for.

With Edwards absent for the second straight game on Sunday with soreness in his right foot, his teammates picked up the slack after a sluggish start — and delivered another steely performance down the stretch on the way to a 117-103 victory over Sacramento.

The Timberwolves outscored the Kings 29-19 over the final 12 minutes, a league-leading eighth time this season they've had a 10-plus-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

“I think our composure down the stretch has gotten a lot better. Our ability to make the right read — and certainly shot making — has helped in those moments,” coach Chris Finch said.

The Timberwolves (17-9), who have won seven of their last eight games, exacted a measure of revenge for their 117-112 overtime loss at Sacramento on Nov. 24 when they blew a 10-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

That game came three nights after they fumbled an eight-point lead with 49 seconds left at Phoenix and lost 114-113.

“We talked about how we need to be better in closing games and the themes that popped up,” Finch said, “and guys have done a good job of addressing that.”

Edwards has been considered day-to-day with his availability. Finch said before the game the injury “hasn't calmed down to the point where he's able to go.”

Backup point guard Mike Conley was also sidelined on Sunday, the 19-year veteran's second straight absence due to a right Achilles tendon injury. The short-handed backcourt meant another start for Bones Hyland, who has recently worked his way into a more meaningful role. Then center Rudy Gobert left the game midway through the third quarter for what the team announced as personal reasons.

The absence of the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner down the stretch forced Naz Reid to play the last 20 minutes of the game. The 2024 Sixth Man of the Year award winner finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds and made sure the interior defense didn't collapse without the long arms of Gobert.

“A lot of the times we kind of understand the sense of urgency in the second half,” Reid said. “It’s nice to kind of have that at the end of the game, but I think we just kind of figure it out as the game goes on. As the second half comes, we kind of all-the-way turn it on, which is like not normal, but we’ve been getting the wins.”

Edwards missed four games earlier this season with a strained right hamstring. The three-time All-Star, who is eighth in the NBA with an average of 28.7 points per game, has already tallied his most absences since the 2021-22 season when he played in 72 games.

With the Timberwolves in a slower stretch of the schedule, Edwards could get eight days of rest while only missing the two games. Minnesota hosts Memphis on Wednesday.

“It’s such a bummer, but sometimes it’s good for some players,” Hyland said. “Sometimes it’s just God opening a door for you. You still want to be there for your teammate if he’s injured, be a good person, good teammate, but also step up. When someone goes down, we’re all a team.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards watches from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speak after an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, reacts from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)