Signature Reports Investment in Company and Appointment of New Chairman of Board of Directors
2008-06-24 23:59:11 -
www.signaturegenomics.com - Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC announced today that jVen Capital, a life sciences investment company with a focus in the areas of biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical devices, has acquired an equity interest in the company. In conjunction with the investment Evan Jones, the principle of jVen Capital, has been appointed Chairman of Signature's Board of Directors.
Prior to establishing jVen Capital in 2007, Mr. Jones was co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Digene Corp., a publicly traded biotechnology firm that specialized in DNA-based diagnostic tests for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer. Mr. Jones served as CEO of Digene from 1990 to 2006 and President from 1990 to 1999. Digene was purchased by Qiagen in 2007 for $1.6 billion.
Paul R. Billings, M.D. Ph.D., the outgoing Chairman of Signature's Board of Directors, commented, "We are excited to have Evan join the Board of Directors at Signature. Evan has a proven reputation directing and investing in life sciences companies, and we are confident that Evan will apply that acumen to facilitating Signature's growth."
Mr. Jones commented, "I am enthusiastic about joining the Signature team. Since the company's founding five years ago Signature has become the leading provider of microarray-based DNA diagnostic testing. It's an exciting opportunity to be involved with such a strong team and to have the opportunity to help the company capitalize on its unique market position in the emerging fields of molecular genetics and personalized medicine."
Mr. Jones is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Children's Research Institute at the Children's National Medical Center; Chairman of the Campaign for Public Health, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing the budget for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Research!America, an organization advocating increased funding for medical research; and a member of the board of the Friends of the National Library of Medicine. Mr. Jones received a B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
About Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC
Signature Genomic Laboratories, founded in 2003, was the first laboratory to provide microarray-based cytogenetic diagnostics with its proprietary SignatureChip(R) 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 licensed in the states of Washington, California, Florida and Rhode Island. Additional information about Signature is available at www.signaturegenomics.com.
Signature Genomic Laboratories, LLC
Lisa Shaffer, CEO, 509-474-6840
