Laboratory-developed tests, or LDTs, are in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests designed and conducted in a single laboratory and ordered by a licensed practitioner. By definition, LDTs are not commercially manufactured, marketed, or sold in volume. They are essential to...
From the LaunchPad
Welcome to The Launchpad, SoundRocket’s blog, where we share our insights and musings on the science of doing science (well), #soundscience.
Direct-to-Consumer Polygenic Risk Scores Move Towards FDA Regulation
In medicine, we have been discussing the promise of polygenic risk scores for some time now. Polygenic risk scores determine whether a person's risk for a common condition, like coronary artery disease or depression, is higher or lower than others. The hope is to use...
Demographic Questions: Finding the Right Place in Your Survey
Demographic questions are often necessary to include in survey research. Here we visit the age-old question–where in the survey should they go? Recently a collaborator designing a survey for an academic research study asked if it...
What is a Label Comprehension Study?
Label comprehension studies test how well a typical consumer can understand the labeling for an over-the-counter (i.e., non-prescription) drug or medical device. The labeling may include the product box or the instructions for use found inside the package. The idea is...
Genomic Return of Results Study Underscores Clinical Value, Takeaways for Expanded Implementation
Biobanks studying genes and human health in large populations are popping up around the globe, but what are researchers to do when they uncover medically important—or potentially lifesaving—results for volunteers who gave their DNA anonymously to science? A research...
Introducing Research Practices to Boost Study Diversity: Inspiration from the Pandemic
The pandemic (and virtual technology) brought many things into our homes—work, school, doctor’s appointments, the gym, and conferences (to name a few). And while I’m not eager to attend another virtual cocktail party, there have been some at-home adaptations that have...
The FDA 510(k): Bringing a New Genetic Test Directly to Consumers (Part 2)
So, you’ve developed a genetic test that you’d like to sell directly to the public in the U.S., and you’ve read Part 1 of this two-part series—then you are ready to get some insider tips from a genetic test FDA expert on how to navigate the 510(k) process for your...
The FDA 510(k): Bringing a New Genetic Test Directly to Consumers (Part 1)
So, you’ve developed a genetic test that you’d like to sell directly to the public in the U.S.—from a regulatory perspective, what do you need to know? To start, some genetic tests require U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) review before being marketed...
The Trouble with UNinformed Consent in Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
Today we are bombarded with online terms of service, contracts, and privacy policies. Whether we are signing up for Spotify or online fitness classes, clauses of click-through legalese lead to the inevitable checkbox – I have read the details and I agree. ...but it...