IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CombiMatrix Corporation (NASDAQ:CBMX), a molecular diagnostics company specializing in DNA-based testing services for prenatal and postnatal developmental disorders and pre-implantation genetic screening services, announces the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board to support further adoption of the Company’s molecular diagnostic tests, identify and evaluate new market opportunities and consult on health care policies, among other activities.
“We are privileged to have this group of five esteemed practicing physicians and academic leaders to bring fresh perspectives to our business strategy and to enhance our industry standing,” said Mark McDonough, President and Chief Executive Officer of CombiMatrix. “We continue to gain traction in the in vitro fertilization and miscarriage analysis markets as evidenced by 33% growth in reproductive health revenues for the most recent quarter. We will look to our Scientific Advisory Board for strategies to maximize our market presence and seek guidance in identifying and evaluating new technologies to expand our test portfolio and leverage our sales infrastructure.”
Members of CombiMatrix’s Scientific Advisory Board are as follows:
- Brian D. Acacio, MD, is Medical Director and Founder of the Acacio Fertility Center in Laguna Niguel, Calif., which specializes in reproductive endocrinology, and has been a practicing OB/GYN for 23 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Pacific Coast OB/GYN Society, and member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Pacific Coast Reproductive Society. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and received multiple awards including the 2014 Vitals.com “Patient’s Choice Award.” Dr. Acacio graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his residency at LAC + USC Medical Center.
- Matthew C. Goering, PhD, HCLD, is Director of Clinical Embryology at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine at the University of Kansas and Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He serves as a clinical consultant on in vitro fertilization and embryology for several laboratories. Dr. Goering is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Association of Bioanalysts and American Society of Human Genetics. He received a BS in biology and chemistry from Bethel College and a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
- Lee P. Shulman, MD, FACOG, FACMG, is the Anna Ross Lapham Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Medicine at Northwestern University, practices at Northwestern Medical Facility Foundation and is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He specializes in clinical genetics and has been a practicing OB/GYN for 32 years. Dr. Shulman is a member of numerous professional societies and associations and has received numerous professional awards. He is executive editor of the Journal of Gynecologic Surgery and consultant editor for The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, and serves on the editorial boards of 16 peer-reviewed journals. He has authored more than 200 abstracts and more than 150 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Shulman graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed a residency at North Shore University Hospital.
- Thomas Westover, MD, FACOG, is an Assistant Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology at Cooper Medical School, Rowan University in Camden, NJ. He is former President of the NJ Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, the current Vice Chair of the NJ Section of the American College of ObG, the Co-Chair of the NJ Hospital Association Statewide Perinatal Safety Collaborative and a member of the ACOG District 3 Advisory Council. Dr. Westover graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, NJ Medical School in Newark, NJ, and completed a residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology and fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at UMDNJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ.
Dr. Westover noted ACOG’s statement in Practice Bulletin #102 that the “most important components of a stillbirth examination are fetal autopsy, karyotype and placenta examination,” and further that the NICHD Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network published in the New England Journal of Medicine that microarray testing of stillbirths, such as the test offered by CombiMatrix, was more likely than traditional karyotype to provide a genetic result and was better at detecting genetic abnormalities when aneuploidy is present.
- Mandolin S. Ziadie, MD, specializes in pediatric and perinatal pathology, is Director of Placental Pathology at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., and is affiliated with the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ziadie has authored multiple research articles, reviews and editorials on obstetrics and gynecology published in peer-reviewed journals. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine, completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and her fellowship in pediatric pathology at Children’s Medical Center of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
About CombiMatrix Corporation
CombiMatrix Corporation provides valuable molecular diagnostic solutions and comprehensive clinical support to foster the highest quality in patient care. CombiMatrix specializes in prenatal diagnostics, miscarriage analysis for recurrent pregnancy loss, pediatric genetics and pre-implantation genetic screening, offering DNA-based testing for the detection of genetic abnormalities beyond what can be identified through traditional methodologies. CombiMatrix performs genetic testing utilizing a variety of advanced cytogenomic techniques, including chromosomal microarray, standardized and customized fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and high-resolution karyotyping. CombiMatrix is dedicated to providing high-level clinical support for healthcare professionals in order to help them incorporate the results of complex genetic testing into patient-centered medical decision making. Additional information about CombiMatrix is available at www.combimatrix.com or by calling (800) 710-0624.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations, speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “goal,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projected results of operations and management’s future business, operational and strategic plans, recruiting efforts and test menu expansion. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties referred to above include, but are not limited to: our ability to open new market opportunities for our tests; our ability to drive scientific advancement; our ability to successfully expand the base of our customers and strategic partners, add to the menu of our diagnostic tests, develop and introduce new tests and related reports, expand and improve our current suite of services, optimize the reimbursements received for our microarray testing services, and increase operating margins by improving overall productivity and expanding sales volumes; our ability to successfully accelerate sales, steadily increase the size of our customer rosters in both prenatal and developmental genetic testing markets; our ability to attract and retain a qualified sales force in wider geographies; our ability to ramp production from our sales force and our strategic partners; rapid technological change in our markets; changes in demand for our future services; legislative, regulatory and competitive developments; the outcome of pending litigation; general economic conditions; and various other factors. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports of Form 10-Q, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
CONTACT: Company Contact: Mark McDonough President & CEO, CombiMatrix Corporation (949) 753-0624 Investor Relations Contact: LHA Jody Cain (310) 691-7100 jcain@lhai.com
