LA JOLLA, Calif., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- DermTech, a biotechnology company developing skin sampling technologies for the early detection of melanoma and other diseases, has named Daniel P. Kolk, Ph.D. to the position of Vice President, Product Development.
Dr. Kolk joins DermTech from Gen-Probe Inc. where for 12 years he was instrumental in the creation of multiple high-value molecular diagnostic products. Specifically, Dr. Kolk co-developed an assay that detects HIV-1 and HCV. That assay received FDA licensure in 2002 for use in blood screening and it is currently used to screen over 85% of all blood in the US for HIV-1 and HCV. He also co-developed the next generation version that included detection of HBV and co-led a team that integrated the triplex assay on Gen-Probe’s fully automated TIGRIS instrument. Additionally he co-led groups in the development of quantitative real-time assays for both HIV-1 and HCV.
Dr. Kolk received his B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University and did his post-doctoral work in the UCSD Department of Medicine where he studied HTLV gene regulation.
“Both the Board and I are delighted to welcome Dan to DermTech and are confident that his experience developing leading molecular diagnostic products will help drive commercialization of our innovative ‘tape stripping’ technology,” said George Schwartz, CEO, DermTech. “With Dan on board as the VP of Product Development we expect to move ahead quickly with full development of the technology for the painless, early detection of melanoma, prostate cancer and other diseases.”
“DermTech’s ‘tape stripping’ technology is one of the most fascinating currently in development in the biopharmaceutical arena,” said Dan Kolk, Ph.D. “I am looking forward to leading the final push such that millions of people worldwide can benefit from the product and in the mid-term, optimize it to allow for ‘real-time’ detection.”
About DermTech:
Headquartered in La Jolla, California, DermTech International (http://www.dermtech.com) specializes in the development and validation of molecular tests using specimens derived from the skin. The company’s proprietary Epidermal Genetic Information Retrieval (EGIR) technology is being studied in the context of tracking treatment efficacy for a variety of dermatologic and other conditions, including the effects of drugs on skin at the molecular level in advance of observable clinical results, and aiding in the diagnosis of disease. DermTech is actively pursuing research using EGIR and its applications toward molecular diagnostics and theranostics in the areas of melanoma, prostate cancer and various skin disorders, such as psoriasis.
Contacts: DermTech George Schwartz CEO 858.450.4222 For DermTech Jennifer Larson 415.409.2729 jlarson@labfive.com
DermTech International
CONTACT: George Schwartz, CEO of DermTech +1-858-450-4222; or JenniferLarson, +1-415-409-2729 jlarson@labfive.com, for DermTech
Web site: http://www.dermtechintl.com/
