2008-08-20 21:06:02 -

www.signaturegenomics.com - Inc. magazine ranked Lisa G. Shaffer, President & CEO of Signature Genomic Laboratories, 8th on its list of top female CEOs in the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list was released in conjunction with the magazine's "Inc. 5000," naming the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America; Signature Genomic Laboratories was ranked 114 overall.

Dr. Shaffer co-founded Signature in 2003 with Bassem A. Bejjani, M.D. Dr. Shaffer developed a microarray-based method for detecting submicroscopic segments of missing or extra DNA in individuals with mental retardation and birth defects. Signature opened its doors with three employees and began offering diagnostic testing in 2004; the company now employs 76 and to date has processed over 25,000 clinical cases.

Commented Dr. Bejjani, Chief Medical Officer of Signature, "In the midst of a very successful academic career that would satisfy any professional, male or female, Dr. Shaffer undertook an enormous professional and personal risk and entered the private sector to pioneer the use of a technology that was untested in the clinical setting at that time. Having closely worked with Dr. Shaffer for 13 years, I know that she is never less than perfect in her endeavors. Therefore, although this is a highly exclusive list, I am not surprised to see Dr. Shaffer's name on it."

Evan Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Signature Genomic Laboratories, commented, "Lisa Shaffer has done an outstanding job building Signature into a leading genetic testing business in just four years. Congratulations to Lisa and the entire Signature team for this important recognition from Inc."

Dr. Shaffer is an internationally respected expert on the chromosomal basis of human genetic disease. Currently she is the North American Editor for the journal Molecular Cytogenetics, and on the editorial boards of the journals Genetics in Medicine, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Cytogenetics and Genome Research. Dr. Shaffer has authored over 200 scholarly articles and almost two dozen book chapters. She is the chair of the International Standing Committee on Human Cytogenetics Nomenclature (ISCN) and is a Board member and the Treasurer of the American College of Medical Genetics. Dr. Shaffer received her B.S. in Biology from Washington State University and her Ph.D. in Human Genetics at the Medical College of Virginia.

About Signature Genomic Laboratories

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 has clinical licenses from California, Rhode Island and Florida. Additional information about Signature Genomic Laboratories is available at www.signaturegenomics.com.

Signature Genomic Laboratories
Lisa G. Shaffer, Ph.D., 509-944-4219
President and CEO
E-mail: shaffer@signaturegenomics.com