CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Signal Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGNL ) (Signal or the Company), a commercial stage, molecular genetics diagnostic company focused on providing innovative diagnostic services that help physicians make better-informed decisions concerning the care of their patients suffering from cancer, today announced that the Company has entered into an agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (“MD Anderson”) to further validate the clinical utility of its MyPRS ® test which identifies patients at risk of rapid progression from the precursor conditions of smoldering multiple myeloma and MGUS (collectively, asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies, or AMG) to symptomatic multiple myeloma. The parties have designed a prospective study enrolling approximately 200 patients, led by multiple MD Anderson investigators, including:
- Elisabet E. Manasanch, M.D., Assistant Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma;
- Jatin Shah, M.D., Associate Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma;
- Donna Weber, BS, M.D., Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma; and
- Robert Orlowski, M.D., PhD, Chair Ad Interim, Lymphoma/Myeloma.
Under the agreement, Signal will perform MyPRS ® testing on patient specimens to better inform key patient management decisions, including the risk of progression from the constellation of AMG disorders to symptomatic multiple myeloma. The parties also plan to collect next generation sequencing (NGS) data to capture additional genetic readouts that could further characterize patients at different points on the clinical continuum.
The parties will begin work this month and patient enrollment has opened.
Samuel D. Riccitelli, President and CEO of Signal Genetics, commented, “We are extremely excited to partner with MD Anderson in further demonstrating the ability of MyPRS® to identify a patient’s risk of rapid progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic multiple myeloma. Stratifying patients into risk categories is a crucial step in determining the proper course of treatment and MyPRS® has the ability to provide physicians with this vital information. We believe this study will provide additional support for the clinical utility of our assay and we look forward to working with MD Anderson as we seek to improve the care of patients suffering from multiple myeloma.”
About Signal Genetics, Inc.
Signal Genetics, Inc., headquartered in Carlsbad, California, is a commercial stage, molecular diagnostic company focused on providing innovative diagnostic services that help physicians make better-informed decisions concerning the care of their patients suffering from cancer. Signal’s mission is to develop, validate and deliver innovative diagnostic services that enable better patient-care decisions. Signal was founded in January 2010 and became the exclusive licensee in its licensed field to the renowned research on multiple myeloma performed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in April 2010.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements. Such statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language such as the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “would,” “could” or words with similar meaning or the negatives of these terms or by the discussion of strategy or intentions. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding our ability to achieve profitability and to penetrate the market opportunity that we believe exists for our prognostic genetic test. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed here, such as our ability to obtain adequate coverage and reimbursement for our tests from third party payors, our ability to obtain necessary regulatory clearances and approvals, the ability of our tests to keep pace with rapid advances in technology, medicine and science, and our ability to execute our marketing strategy and gain acceptance in the market, along with those other risks and uncertainties detailed in our SEC filings, and involve assumptions, estimates, and uncertainties that reflect current internal projections, expectations or beliefs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and the risk factors described above. Furthermore, all such statements are made as of the date this release and we assume no obligation to update or revise these statements unless otherwise required by law.
INVESTOR CONTACT: The Ruth Group David Burke Tel: 646-536-7009 dburke@theruthgroup.com
