New Grant Aims to Solve Economic Puzzle of Advanced Kidney Transplant Monitoring

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 22, 2026 – A new $100,000 research grant announced today by Insight Molecular Diagnostics (iMDx) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) will fund a pivotal study into the economics of a critical post-transplant monitoring technology. The research, led by two prominent transplant surgeons, will directly compare the costs and benefits of performing sophisticated donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) tests within a hospital's own lab versus sending them to an external, centralized facility. The findings could provide a long-awaited roadmap for transplant centers nationwide, potentially accelerating a shift toward faster, localized diagnostics and transforming patient care.

The grant has been awarded to Dr. Kenneth Andreoni, Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation at Thomas Jefferson University, and Dr. Kenneth Chavin, Director of the Abdominal Organ Transplant Program at Temple Health. Their work is poised to address a pressing question for hospitals grappling with how to best integrate cutting-edge diagnostics in a financially sustainable way.

The Clinical Dilemma: Speed vs. Scale in Transplant Care

For decades, monitoring the health of a transplanted kidney relied heavily on measuring serum creatinine levels—a biomarker that often signals organ damage only after it has already occurred. The gold standard for a definitive diagnosis has been an invasive needle biopsy, a procedure that carries risks of bleeding, infection, and discomfort for the patient.

In recent years, dd-cfDNA testing has emerged as a powerful, non-invasive alternative. By measuring fragments of the donor organ's DNA circulating in the recipient's blood, clinicians can detect signs of organ injury and rejection far earlier and with greater sensitivity than traditional methods. A low level of dd-cfDNA can help confidently rule out active rejection, potentially allowing patients to avoid a biopsy altogether. This advancement, supported by organizations like ASTS, represents a significant leap forward in precision medicine for transplant recipients.

Currently, the dominant model for this testing involves a “send-out” system, where blood samples are shipped to specialized commercial laboratories for analysis. While this leverages economies of scale, the logistics can introduce delays of several days in getting results. In transplant medicine, where time is critical, such delays can be a source of anxiety for patients and can slow down crucial treatment decisions. The alternative is in-house testing, which promises a much faster turnaround time—potentially hours instead of days. However, bringing this capability into a hospital's own laboratory requires significant upfront investment in equipment and training, creating a major financial and operational hurdle.

“In-house testing has the potential to meaningfully improve turnaround times and, ultimately, patient care,” said Dr. Kenneth Andreoni. “But making the case for that investment requires data. We are excited to conduct this research in partnership with ASTS and iMDx and to contribute evidence that transplant programs can use as they evaluate their diagnostic testing strategies.”

The Economic Equation: A $100,000 Quest for Answers

The ASTS-iMDx grant is designed to fill this critical data gap. Administered by the prestigious ASTS and funded by iMDx, the research will go beyond simple test-price comparisons. The study aims to develop sophisticated health econometric models—such as Markov models or decision-tree analyses—to paint a comprehensive picture of the true value proposition of each testing strategy.

These models will weigh a host of variables, including the total cost of care, return on investment (ROI) for the hospital, clinical outcomes like graft survival rates, and operational efficiencies. The goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based framework that allows any transplant center to assess which model makes the most sense for its specific patient population and financial structure.

The selection of Drs. Andreoni and Chavin underscores the project's credibility. Dr. Andreoni brings deep clinical and administrative expertise in managing transplant program operations, while Dr. Chavin possesses a unique interdisciplinary background with degrees in medicine, immunology, and business administration. Their combined experience positions the study to deliver robust and actionable insights for the entire field.

“The question of whether to perform dd-cfDNA testing in-house or through a centralized laboratory is one that many transplant programs are actively grappling with,” said Dr. Kenneth Chavin of Temple Health. “This grant gives us the opportunity to develop a rigorous economic model that will help transplant centers think through the true costs and benefits of each approach. We look forward to producing research that can serve as a practical resource for the community.”

A Strategic Investment in a Shifting Market

For iMDx, the grant is more than an act of scientific goodwill; it is a strategic move to pave the way for its flagship product. The company has submitted GraftAssureDx™, an in-vitro diagnostic kit designed to enable in-house dd-cfDNA testing, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review under the Class II de novo pathway for novel devices. While other companies, such as CareDx and Natera, currently dominate the market with their send-out services, GraftAssureDx™ aims to disrupt this model by empowering hospitals to take control of the testing process locally.

By funding independent, peer-reviewed research through a respected body like ASTS, iMDx is helping to build the very business case its future customers will need to adopt its technology. Positive findings from the study could provide the objective, third-party validation that hospital administrators and chief financial officers require to approve the capital expenditure for an in-house solution. This forward-thinking approach could significantly accelerate market adoption if and when GraftAssureDx™ receives FDA clearance.

“As more transplant centers explore in-house dd-cfDNA testing, having rigorous health economic data will be critical to helping programs evaluate their options and plan accordingly,” said iMDx CEO Josh Riggs. He expressed confidence that the research conducted by the grant recipients will advance the community's understanding of the real-world economics of in-house diagnostics.

Health Economics at the Forefront of Medical Innovation

This initiative reflects a broader, fundamental shift in the healthcare industry. In an era of rising costs and a push toward value-based care, technological innovation alone is no longer enough to guarantee adoption. New medical devices and diagnostics must also demonstrate their economic value. Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a framework for evaluating the clinical and financial impact of new technologies, has become a standard gatekeeper for market access and reimbursement.

The ASTS-iMDx grant is a prime example of this paradigm in action. It acknowledges that for precision medicine to become widespread, it must be proven not only to improve patient outcomes but also to be a sustainable and efficient use of healthcare resources. The results of this study will therefore have implications far beyond kidney transplantation, serving as a case study for how to balance the price of progress with the practical realities of modern healthcare delivery. As hospitals and health systems continue to navigate this complex landscape, data-driven economic analysis will be an indispensable tool in shaping the future of medicine.