SPOKANE, Wash. - (Business Wire) Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC, announced that President and CEO Lisa G. Shaffer, Ph.D., was named a national finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in Health Sciences. Ernst & Young’s program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, high-growth businesses on a regional, national and global level. The national award finalists were announced at an awards gala, hosted by Jay Leno, on November 14 in Palm Springs, California. The gala is the culminating event of the Ernst & Young 2009 Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. This group of outstanding entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of business, community and academic leaders.
Commented Dr. Shaffer, “I am honored to be recognized for our company’s innovative approach to the genetic diagnosis of mental retardation and birth defects. We have grown our company through technical advances that Signature has made in the field of cytogenetics to provide better diagnoses for our patients.” Dr. Shaffer was one of four finalists in the U.S. in the category of Health Sciences.
Founded by Dr. Shaffer and her colleague Bassem A. Bejjani, M.D. in 2003, Signature Genomics became the first laboratory to provide microarray-based diagnostic testing of individuals with developmental disabilities with its proprietary SignatureChip® microarray. Signature now has over 120 employees and has made over 8,000 diagnoses after testing more than 40,000 patients since its inception. Signature’s microarrays are now offered for both pre- and postnatal identification of DNA alterations associated with genetic disease.
Now in its 23rd year, The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year® winner will compete in the world event, held in Monte Carlo.
“The Entrepreneur Of The Year® award recognizes the importance of entrepreneurs,” said Larry Haynes, Americas Director, Entrepreneur Of The Year®, Ernst & Young LLP. “Our economy depends on these entrepreneurs. They build businesses, support their local communities and drive innovation and development in the economy at large.”
For more information about the winners and how to get involved, please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards are pleased to have SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.
About Signature Genomic Laboratories
Signature Genomic Laboratories, founded in 2003, was the first laboratory to provide microarray-based cytogenetic diagnostics with its proprietary SignatureChip® and is the leader in providing microarray-based chromosome analysis. Signature’s worldwide client base includes clinical geneticists, neurologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, and the research community. Signature is CAP accredited, CLIA certified, and has clinical licenses from New York, California, Rhode Island and Florida. Additional information about Signature Genomic Laboratories is available at www.signaturegenomics.com.
Genoglyphix® is the microarray analysis software created and used by Signature Genomic Laboratories. Information about Genoglyphix is available at www.genoglyphix.com.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
Signature Genomic Laboratories
Lisa G. Shaffer, Ph.D., President/CEO, 509-944-4219
shaffer@signaturegenomics.com
