HTG Molecular Diagnostics Establishes Immuno-Oncology Scientific Advisory Board
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline earlier today by HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq:HTGM), please note that in the header for the fourth paragraph of the release, the HTG SAB member should be Ignacio I. Wistuba, M.D. and not Ignatio I. Wistuba, M.D. as previously stated. The corrected release follows:
HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq:HTGM), a provider of instruments and reagents for molecular profiling applications, today announced the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Board (“SAB”) of distinguished leaders in the field of immuno-oncology. The newly formed SAB will serve as a resource to HTG in the development of immuno-oncology applications and biomarker panels for the assessment of the host immune response to tumors.
The founding HTG SAB members are:
James Gulley, M.D., Ph.D. F.A.C.P.
Dr. Gulley is an internationally recognized expert in cancer immunotherapy. He serves within the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) of the National Cancer Institute, as Chief of the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Director of the Medical Oncology Service and Head of the Immunotherapy Section. He has been instrumental in the clinical development of Prostvac, an experimental prostate cancer vaccine developed within the CCR, and the development of avelumab, an anti-PDL1 antibody that now has been given breakthrough designation by the FDA with multiple phase III studies ongoing or planned. He has been an investigator on >60 trials, authored >200 scientific papers or chapters, and has made numerous presentations at national and international meetings.
Fred Hirsch, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Hirsch is the CEO of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Dr. Hirsch has focused on translational research, especially development and validation of biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer and for prediction of response to new molecular targeted therapies in lung cancer. He has served on numerous committees and advisory boards, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Lancet Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research. He is Associate Editor for the IASLC journal; Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Dr. Hirsch has published more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific articles about lung cancer and is editor of 10 international books on lung cancer, including an international Textbook in Prevention and Early Detection of Lung Cancer.
Ignacio I. Wistuba, M.D.
Ignacio I. Wistuba, M.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, with joint appointment in Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. He is Director of the Thoracic Molecular Pathology Laboratory, co-leader of the institutional Tissue bank and Pathology Resources, and director of the ECOG-ACRIN Central Biorepository and Pathology Facility. He is a surgical and molecular pathology specialist with a strong record of scientific achievement in lung cancer with over 400 peer-reviewed papers. His research interests include molecular pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer, and the identification of novel molecular targets and biomarkers for therapy.
"We are extremely pleased to form this advisory board to help us navigate the field of immuno-oncology therapeutics, where we believe the assessment of immune system biomarkers will play a critical role in patient stratification," said TJ Johnson, President and CEO of HTG Molecular Diagnostics. "The members of the SAB bring the broad experience, knowledge and strategic insights we believe are needed to quickly respond to this rapidly developing market.”
About HTG:
Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, HTG’s mission is to empower precision medicine at the local level. In 2013 the company commercialized its HTG Edge instrument platform and a portfolio of RNA assays that leverage HTG's proprietary nuclease protection chemistry. HTG’s product offerings have since expanded to include its HTG EdgeSeq product line, which automates sample and targeted library preparation for next-generation sequencing. Additional information is available at www.htgmolecular.com.
Safe Harbor Statement:
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the newly formed SAB and its expected benefits to us, the role that immune system biomarkers will have in clinical settings, including patient stratification, and our business and the capabilities of our technology. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements necessarily contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks, and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks associated with the process of developing and commercializing immuno oncology applications and biomarker panels. These and other factors are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 2015. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Contact: Westwicke Partners Jamar Ismail Phone: 415-513-1282 Email: jamar.ismail@westwicke.com TJ Johnson President / CEO HTG Molecular Diagnostics Phone: 520-547-2827 x130 Email: tjjohnson@htgmolecular.com