Cerenome Secures National In-Network Agreement with Aetna for CNSide®

Cerenome now contracted with approximately 85% of private payers in the US, representing approximately 190 million covered lives

First national CNSide payer agreement to include both tumor cell enumeration and molecular profiling

HOUSTON, Nov. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CNSide Diagnostics, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cerenome, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSY) (“Cerenome” or the “Company”), announced today that it has entered into a national in-network laboratory ancillary provider agreement with Aetna Health Plans, Inc. (“Aetna”), effective November 1, 2026.

The agreement establishes contracted reimbursement for the CNSide® Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Tumor Cell Enumeration test as well as CNSide® CSF Molecular Profile tests for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies involving the central nervous system. It represents the first national CNSide payer agreement to include both tumor cell enumeration and molecular profiling.

The Aetna agreement adds approximately 26 million medical members to CNSide’s contracted payer footprint. Combined with previously announced payer agreements, CNSide has now established in-network agreements representing approximately 190 million covered lives, reflecting continued execution of the Company’s national reimbursement strategy.

“This national agreement with Aetna represents a new and important milestone in CNSide’s commercial trajectory,” said Marc Hedrick, M.D., Cerenome’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “By expanding contracted reimbursement to now include both tumor cell enumeration and molecular profiling, we intend to pursue similar arrangements across our entire payer base to secure a payment pathway for patients for the most critical diagnostic tests we offer.”

The Aetna agreement provides contracted reimbursement for CNSide® CSF Tumor Cell Enumeration as well as CNSide® CSF Molecular Profile – Solid Tumor and CNSide® CSF Molecular Profile – Hematologic Malignancy. The Molecular Profile tests provide DNA and RNA molecular profiling of CSF for patients with suspected or confirmed primary CNS tumors, solid tumors metastatic to the CNS, and hematologic malignancies involving the CNS.

The DNA and RNA CSF molecular profiling approach underlying CNSide® CSF Molecular Profile was recently evaluated in a peer-reviewed, real-world study of 1,391 evaluable CSF specimens from patients being evaluated for primary CNS tumors, metastatic CNS disease, and hematologic malignancies involving the CNS, published in The Journal of Liquid Biopsy.

The clinical utility of CNSide CSF tumor cell analysis in leptomeningeal metastases is supported by evaluation in 12 peer-reviewed publications, prospective multicenter evidence from the FORESEE clinical study, and real-world clinical experience. Since 2020, more than 11,000 CNSide® tests have been performed at more than 120 U.S. cancer institutions, supporting clinical decision-making across academic and community oncology practices nationwide.

About Aetna

Aetna, a CVS Health business, serves an estimated 37 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit https://www.Aetna.com.

About CNSide Diagnostics, LLC

CNSide Diagnostics, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cerenome, Inc. that develops and commercializes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based diagnostic tests for cancers involving the central nervous system. The CNSide® CSF diagnostics platform combines cellular analysis, biomarker characterization, and molecular profiling to support the detection, characterization, and longitudinal assessment of CNS malignancies. CNSide currently offers CNSide® CSF Tumor Cell Enumeration for patients with suspected or confirmed leptomeningeal metastases and CNSide® CSF Molecular Profile tests for molecular characterization of primary CNS tumors, solid tumors metastatic to the CNS, and hematologic malignancies involving the CNS. For more information, visit https://www.cnside-dx.com/.

About Cerenome

Cerenome (Nasdaq: CNSY) is a CNS oncology company advancing an integrated platform that combines precision diagnostics, targeted therapeutics, and artificial intelligence to improve outcomes for patients with central nervous system cancers. The CNSide® CSF diagnostics platform combines cellular and molecular testing to support the detection, characterization, and longitudinal assessment of cancers involving the CNS.

Its lead therapeutic platform, REYOBIQ™ (rhenium Re186 obisbemeda), is being evaluated in clinical trials for leptomeningeal metastases, recurrent glioblastoma, and pediatric brain cancers. The data & artificial intelligence platform is designed to integrate diagnostic, molecular, imaging, and clinical data into actionable insights that support precision oncology and therapeutic innovation.

By integrating commercial diagnostics, targeted therapeutics, proprietary longitudinal data, and artificial intelligence within a single organization, Cerenome is building a differentiated CNS oncology platform designed to improve patient care while creating long-term shareholder value. For more information, visit https://www.cerenome.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws, including statements regarding commercialization, reimbursement and payer coverage, clinical trials, expected operations and upcoming developments. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by future verbs, as well as terms such as “expect,” “potential,” “anticipating,” “planning” and similar expressions or the negatives thereof. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the potential market for the CNSide CSF diagnostics platform; the availability, scope and impact of payer coverage and reimbursement for CNSide® tests; expected utilization, reimbursement and payment for CNSide® tests; the expansion of the Company’s contracted payer network; the development and clinical utility of the CNSide® CSF diagnostics platform; and expectations regarding the Company’s future performance and the development of its product candidates.

Investor Contact
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IR@cerenome.com