OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Transgenomic, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TBIO) today announced that Eric Johnson, Ph.D. has joined the company as Medical Director for Laboratory Services. In this newly created position Dr. Johnson will be responsible for leading the strategic vision and managing the day-to-day operations of Transgenomic's Molecular Diagnostics Services lab.
Dr. Johnson brings to Transgenomic nearly 20 years of genetics experience in both research and diagnostics. Most recently he served as the founder of the Neurovascular / Epilepsy Genetics Research Laboratory at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona and has helped to establish and mentor BioBanking efforts for a number of rare disease family groups, both independently and as the founding Director of the DNA and Tissue Archive of the Genetic Alliance BioBank.
His experience in the clinic includes being the founding director of the Molecular Diagnostics and BioBanking Laboratories at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix; serving as director of diagnostic testing at Prevention Genetics in Marshfield, Wisc.; and holding the position of Chief Scientific Officer and Clinical Laboratory Director for Iverson Genetic Diagnostics in Seattle, a personalized medicine genetic diagnostics company.
Dr. Johnson has authored and co-authored numerous publications on the nature, identity and function of several epilepsy and neurovascular related genes including FEB2, a febrile seizure susceptibility gene, SCN1B, a Febrile seizure "plus" gene, and CCM1, CCM2 and CCM3, three causative genes for cerebral cavernous malformations. He is considered an expert in translational research: moving tests for heritable diseases from the laboratory bench to the clinic, as evidenced by presenting at more than 50 genetic conferences and workshops during his career.
"Dr. Johnson brings tremendous experience to this position," said Craig Tuttle, Transgenomic President and Chief Executive Officer. "His expertise in genetic test development, combined with his Neuroscience training, will help us build our market leadership position in our Molecular Diagnostics Services business. We are excited to have him on board."
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Johnson said, "I am very excited to be joining Transgenomic at such an important inflection point in the company's development. The promise of personalized medicine is becoming a reality in patient care, and I look forward to working with Transgenomic's powerful technologies, COLD-PCR for example, to support the company's goal of being a leader in genetic mutation detection in cancer and neurological diseases."
Dr. Johnson received a B.A. in biology/chemistry from Boston University and a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology/Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. He did post-doctoral work in Psychiatry and Neurosurgery at Yale University, and received advanced training genetics at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.
About Transgenomic, Inc.
Transgenomic, Inc. (www.transgenomic.com ) is a global biotechnology company specializing in high sensitivity genetic variation and mutation analysis, providing products and services in DNA mutation detection and discovery for clinical research, clinical molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomics analyses. Its product offerings include the WAVE® Systems and associated consumables specifically designed for use in genetic variation detection and single- and double-strand DNA/RNA analysis and purification. With broad applicability to genetic research, nearly 1,500 systems have been shipped to customers in more than 50 countries. The SURVEYOR® Mutation Detection Kits and SURVEYOR Check-It Kit provide reagents and protocols for high sensitivity detection of mutations in DNA. In addition, HANABI automated chromosome harvesting systems improve laboratory productivity with consistent quality compared with manual methods for cytogenetic analyses. Service offerings include the Transgenomic Molecular Laboratory, which provides reference laboratory services specializing in molecular diagnostics including Mitochondrial Disorders, Oncology and Hematology, Molecular Pathology and Inherited Diseases. Transgenomic Pharmacogenomics Services is a CRO for pharmacogenomic, translational research and clinical trials.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" of Transgenomic within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those with respect to management's current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including the ability of the Company to grow its involvement in the diagnostic products and services markets. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time to time in Transgenomic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements contained in this press release. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
SOURCE Transgenomic, Inc.