FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 29 FL-NeoGenomics-cancer
FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeoGenomics
Laboratories (OTC Bulletin Board: NGNM), a national clinical reference
laboratory specializing in high-complexity, cancer-specific testing, announced
today an exclusive agreement with Response Genetics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGDX) to
offer its proprietary ResponseDX: Colon(TM) and ResponseDX: Lung(TM) tests
nationwide. ResponseDX: Colon(TM) and ResponseDX: Lung(TM) are proprietary
PCR-based tests in a cost-effective panel format which serve to help
oncologists make optimal therapeutic treatment decisions for patients with
colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Under the terms of the agreement, NeoGenomics will be the exclusive
national clinical reference laboratory authorized to offer Response Genetics'
proprietary tests as a complement to Response Genetics newly formed sales
team. Response Genetics proprietary ResponseDX(TM) panels include analysis of
the K-ras (KRAS) mutation, gene expression profiling of RRM1 and up to three
other patent-protected genes: ERCC1, TS, and EGFR. KRAS is a strong predictor
of whether patients will respond or not respond to the common treatment
regimens for these types of cancers. KRAS is fast becoming a testing standard
for patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Likewise,
expression results of the other genes in the ResponseDX(TM) panels can help
oncologists choose among several other standard chemotherapy regimens to treat
their patients specifically by the biology of their disease which allows for a
more targeted intervention.
Response Genetics provides the fastest turn-around times in the industry
for these types of molecular tests. Importantly, their standards are
compatible with our own industry leading turn-around times which makes for a
very synergistic combined product offering. In addition, by using a cutting
edge technique known as micro-dissection, Response Genetics obtains the most
accurate results on the smallest of biopsies; something other labs offering
this type of testing cannot do. In many cases no tissue samples other than
the pre-treatment diagnostic biopsy will be required for the complete gene
expression analysis which is a significant benefit to patients as they won't
have to undergo a second biopsy in order to reap the benefits of this test.
All tests will be performed in Response Genetics' CLIA-certified laboratory in
Los Angeles, CA.
Robert P. Gasparini, NeoGenomics' President and Chief Scientific Officer,
commented, "Most laboratory pundits agree that the future of clinical
laboratory testing continues to move towards genomics-based technologies, such
as those being pioneered by Response Genetics. We could not be more pleased
than to have Response Genetics as a partner in this endeavor. Their
intellectual property position, publication record, and experience derived in
clinical trial testing with tens of thousands of specimens represents a
formidable barrier to competitive entry and bodes well for the marketplace
introduction of these new predictive tests. We believe that the Response
DX(TM) panels have the potential to quickly become the standard of care with
regard to lung and colorectal cancer testing and that there will be
significant interest in these new tests from both our existing and new
clients. The addition of these panels to our product line-up allows us to
further differentiate our services and offer more comprehensive one-stop
shopping for our clients. We are particularly excited about the opportunity
to attract new clients with the ResponseDX(TM) panels and then offer them the
rest of NeoGenomics' industry leading genetic and AP testing services."
"We are extremely pleased to be working with NeoGenomics Laboratories to
expand the availability of our ResponseDX(TM) tests to the national
marketplace," said Kathleen Danenberg, Response Genetics' President and CEO.
"Through the strength of the two companies' sales organizations, we will work
together to introduce Response Genetics' proprietary technologies to help make
personalized medicine a reality for cancer patients today with these
diseases."
About NeoGenomics
NeoGenomics Laboratories is a high-complexity CLIA-certified clinical
laboratory that specializes in cancer genetics diagnostic testing, the fastest
growing segment of the laboratory industry. The company's testing services
include cytogenetics, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), flow
cytometry, morphology, anatomic pathology and molecular genetic testing.
Headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, NeoGenomics has labs in Nashville, TN,
Irvine, CA and Fort Myers and services the needs of pathologists, oncologists,
urologists, and hospitals throughout the United States. For additional
information about NeoGenomics, visit http://www.neogenomics.org .
Interested parties can also access additional investor relations material
from the American Microcap Institute at
http://www.americanmicrocapinstitute.com/ngnm/ or from Hawk Associates at
http://www.hawkassociates.com . An investment profile about NeoGenomics may be
found at
http://www.hawkassociates.com/clients/additional/index.cfm?client_id=10 .
About Response Genetics
Response Genetics, Inc. ("RGI") (the "Company") (NASDAQ: RGDX) is engaged
in the research and development of pharmacogenomic cancer diagnostic tests
based on its proprietary and patented technologies. RGI's technologies enable
extraction and analysis of genetic information from genes derived from tumor
samples stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. In addition
to diagnostic testing services, RGI generates revenue from the sales of its
proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial
specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company was founded in 1999 and
its principal headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California. For more
information, please visit www.responsegenetics.com .
Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and
assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements. These
forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual future results to differ materially from those anticipated
in the forward looking statements, Actual results could differ materially from
such statements expressed or implied herein. Factors that might cause such a
difference include, among others, the company's ability to continue gaining
new customers, offer new types of tests, and otherwise implement its business
plan. As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the
company's periodic filings with the SEC.
SOURCE NeoGenomics Laboratories
