The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Tasso Announce Partnership to Advance Blood Cancer Research
First collaboration is a clinical trial evaluating patient-centric methodologies for Complete Blood Count (CBC) analysis
RYE BROOK, N.Y. and SEATTLE – May 30, 2024 – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS), a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, and Tasso, Inc., the leading provider of patient-centric, clinical grade blood collection solutions, today announced a collaboration to accelerate blood cancer research. The relationship will combine Tasso’s signature capillary blood collection technology with LLS’ research and focus on patient advocacy, with the goal of improving the oncology patient experience.
Frequent clinic visits and venipuncture blood draws are a burden on patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cell disorders. The effort of traveling to a distant clinic site for monitoring can be difficult for an ill patient, while in-person visits can present dangers for immunocompromised individuals. To reduce the burden on blood cancer patients, LLS and Tasso are collaborating on a clinical trial evaluating a new patient-centric strategy for collecting critical Complete Blood Count (CBC) using the Tasso device in blood cancer patients with low blood counts.
“This study is creating a new frontier of what is possible with remote capillary blood collection technologies,” said Erwin Berthier, PhD, CTO and Co-Founder of Tasso. The clinical trial will compare blood samples collected with a Tasso device to the current standard of care requiring a venous draw. Tasso devices are virtually painless to use and can collect samples remotely, driving patient engagement by eliminating the travel and discomfort burdens associated with traditional blood testing.
“As a true patient-centric organization, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society seeks out innovations that can make receiving care easier for blood cancer patients,” said Ashley Yocum, PhD, Executive Research Strategy Lead of the Beat AML® Master Clinical Trial at LLS. “Our ongoing partnership with Tasso will accelerate the adoption of clinical trial protocols that put patients first.”
“Making blood testing accessible for patients is the key to driving new research and therapies,” said Ben Casavant, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Tasso. “We are proud to partner with LLS on this important mission to improve and accelerate oncology research.”
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader in the fight against blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
For additional information, visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Tasso
Tasso is an emerging healthcare technology company that is transforming the traditional blood collection paradigm with a patient-centric approach. The company’s devices enable simple, convenient, and virtually painless blood collection for users. Tasso technology has the power to bring healthcare anywhere, any time. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Tasso is privately held and funded by grants, investments, and co-development deals with various industry leaders. For more information, please visit www.tassoinc.com.
Media Contacts
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ryan McDonald
Tasso, Inc.
Dina Schneider
(206) 822-4186 x1016