Toft Group Completes Chief Commercial Officer Search For Rosetta Genomics In Princeton, NJ
October 25, 2016 - Rosetta Genomics Ltd. (NASDAQ:ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based and other molecular diagnostics, announces the appointment of Mark R. Willig as Chief Commercial Officer. In this newly created position, Mr. Willig will be responsible for sales, marketing and market access for Rosetta Genomics’ entire portfolio of high-value diagnostic assays. He will report to Kenneth A. Berlin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rosetta Genomics.
Throughout his career Mr. Willig has developed and executed global commercial and business strategies for companies ranging from leading start-ups to Fortune 500 molecular diagnostic companies. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President of Sales for CardioDx, Inc., a pioneer in genomic diagnostics, where he grew revenue by more than 500% while increasing testing volume from 21,000 tests to 150,000 tests annually. Previous to that, he was Executive Vice President of Global Sales for Agendia, BV, a leading molecular diagnostic company that develops and markets genomic assays for early stage cancer patients. At Agendia he was responsible for the launch of their diagnostic product portfolio, which under his leadership increased revenue 140% to an annual run rate of $30 million. At both of these organizations Mr. Willig was responsible for securing positive medical policy and contracting with the first commercial payers.
“We are delighted to have Mark join our team at this pivotal juncture in the commercialization of our unique and evolving product portfolio. His proven ability to build sales platforms and drive growth for molecular diagnostic products will further enhance the commercial and clinical adoption of our first-of-its-kind microRNA classifier for indeterminate thyroid nodules as well as our urologic oncology and solid tumor offerings,” noted Mr. Berlin.
“With approximately $1.5 million in gross billings for RosettaGX Reveal™ since commercial launch in early 2016 and with strong monthly volume growth, we are well positioned to build on this momentum and increase our market share in the $350 million U.S. market for molecular classifiers for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We expect Mark’s considerable experience with both government and commercial payors will enhance our reimbursement efforts and improve our billings and cash collections.”
Robin Toft, President and CEO of Toft Group said: “We are thrilled to have worked with the senior leadership of Rosetta Genomics to select Mr. Willig as CCO, and congratulate him on his new role. We have every confidence that he will make an exceptional contribution to the company’s continued growth and success.”
Previously, Mr. Willig was Vice President of Global Sales at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he had global responsibility for a $280 million dollar business unit. Mr. Willig was also the Chief Executive Officer at PrognostiX, a Cleveland Clinic spin-off diagnostic company. He also held several key commercial roles at Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics Division and was the first commercial leader at Myriad Genetics, where he launched the first genetic test for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, which resulted in a 200% CAGR over five years.
“Genomic and molecular diagnostics are making the promise of personalized medicine a reality, and I am delighted to be joining Rosetta at this exciting time in its growth. I look forward to executing a dynamic sales and marketing strategy to drive the market penetration of RosettaGX Reveal while expanding use of our entire solid tumor and urologic oncology offerings to a broader market where an increasing number of patients may truly benefit,” commented Mr. Willig.
About Toft Group Executive Search
Toft Group Executive Search is “Changing the Future of Medicine, One Relationship at a Time” and we take pride in the fact that our work helps our clients accelerate getting novel products to market. We are a global retained executive search firm that is 100% dedicated to life sciences & healthcare industries. Our customers include biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies. With offices in San Francisco, San Diego, and Boston, we assist a wide range of local, national and international companies - from venture backed start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta develops and commercializes a full range of microRNA-based and other molecular diagnostics. Rosetta’s integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong patent position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta is working on the application of these technologies in the development and commercialization of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. Through the acquisition of PersonalizeDx, the Company now offers core FISH, IHC and PCR-based testing capabilities and partnerships in Pathology, Oncology and Urology that provide additional content and platforms that complement Rosetta’s microRNA and Next-Gen Sequencing offerings. RosettaGX Reveal™, a Thyroid microRNA Classifier for the diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid FNA smears, as well as the full RosettaGX™ portfolio of cancer testing services are commercially available through the Company’s Philadelphia, PA- and Lake Forest, CA-based CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified labs.
Throughout his career Mr. Willig has developed and executed global commercial and business strategies for companies ranging from leading start-ups to Fortune 500 molecular diagnostic companies. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President of Sales for CardioDx, Inc., a pioneer in genomic diagnostics, where he grew revenue by more than 500% while increasing testing volume from 21,000 tests to 150,000 tests annually. Previous to that, he was Executive Vice President of Global Sales for Agendia, BV, a leading molecular diagnostic company that develops and markets genomic assays for early stage cancer patients. At Agendia he was responsible for the launch of their diagnostic product portfolio, which under his leadership increased revenue 140% to an annual run rate of $30 million. At both of these organizations Mr. Willig was responsible for securing positive medical policy and contracting with the first commercial payers.
“We are delighted to have Mark join our team at this pivotal juncture in the commercialization of our unique and evolving product portfolio. His proven ability to build sales platforms and drive growth for molecular diagnostic products will further enhance the commercial and clinical adoption of our first-of-its-kind microRNA classifier for indeterminate thyroid nodules as well as our urologic oncology and solid tumor offerings,” noted Mr. Berlin.
“With approximately $1.5 million in gross billings for RosettaGX Reveal™ since commercial launch in early 2016 and with strong monthly volume growth, we are well positioned to build on this momentum and increase our market share in the $350 million U.S. market for molecular classifiers for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We expect Mark’s considerable experience with both government and commercial payors will enhance our reimbursement efforts and improve our billings and cash collections.”
Robin Toft, President and CEO of Toft Group said: “We are thrilled to have worked with the senior leadership of Rosetta Genomics to select Mr. Willig as CCO, and congratulate him on his new role. We have every confidence that he will make an exceptional contribution to the company’s continued growth and success.”
Previously, Mr. Willig was Vice President of Global Sales at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he had global responsibility for a $280 million dollar business unit. Mr. Willig was also the Chief Executive Officer at PrognostiX, a Cleveland Clinic spin-off diagnostic company. He also held several key commercial roles at Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics Division and was the first commercial leader at Myriad Genetics, where he launched the first genetic test for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, which resulted in a 200% CAGR over five years.
“Genomic and molecular diagnostics are making the promise of personalized medicine a reality, and I am delighted to be joining Rosetta at this exciting time in its growth. I look forward to executing a dynamic sales and marketing strategy to drive the market penetration of RosettaGX Reveal while expanding use of our entire solid tumor and urologic oncology offerings to a broader market where an increasing number of patients may truly benefit,” commented Mr. Willig.
About Toft Group Executive Search
Toft Group Executive Search is “Changing the Future of Medicine, One Relationship at a Time” and we take pride in the fact that our work helps our clients accelerate getting novel products to market. We are a global retained executive search firm that is 100% dedicated to life sciences & healthcare industries. Our customers include biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies. With offices in San Francisco, San Diego, and Boston, we assist a wide range of local, national and international companies - from venture backed start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta develops and commercializes a full range of microRNA-based and other molecular diagnostics. Rosetta’s integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong patent position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta is working on the application of these technologies in the development and commercialization of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. Through the acquisition of PersonalizeDx, the Company now offers core FISH, IHC and PCR-based testing capabilities and partnerships in Pathology, Oncology and Urology that provide additional content and platforms that complement Rosetta’s microRNA and Next-Gen Sequencing offerings. RosettaGX Reveal™, a Thyroid microRNA Classifier for the diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid FNA smears, as well as the full RosettaGX™ portfolio of cancer testing services are commercially available through the Company’s Philadelphia, PA- and Lake Forest, CA-based CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified labs.