Atlas Appoints David Whitaker as Operations Director

BATH, England, November 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Atlas Genetics Ltd ("Atlas" or the "Company"), a diagnostic company developing ultra-rapid point-of-care tests for a range of infectious diseases, today announces the appointment of David Whitaker as Operations Director with immediate effect.

David joins Atlas from DNA Electronics, where he worked as Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Manager, responsible for the development of a fully portable, point-of-care genetic test device.  This project involved a wide range of technical disciplines including microfluidics, electronics and molecular biology.  He worked closely with the acting Chief Scientific Officer on the overall management of the project and held direct responsibility for all device engineering activities.  

Prior to this, he spent five years as a Principal Consultant in PA Consulting's Technology and Innovation Practice.  During his tenure, he successfully developed and patented a range of medical devices for both big pharma and start-up companies.  Before joining PA Consulting, David worked in a variety of medical device engineering, contract engineering and consulting positions at companies including Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Futura Medical West Pharmaceuticals and Risdon Pharma.

David has First Class BEng degree in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering with Management from the University of Leeds.

Dr John Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas, commented: "At Atlas, we have worked hard over the past year to enhance and develop our senior management team.  David brings considerable operational expertise which will be important as we enter a new phase of product manufacture and growth, further progressing Atlas towards becoming a first class diagnostics company."

About Atlas (http://www.atlasgenetics.com)

Atlas (Atlas Genetics Ltd) develops ultra-rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.  The Atlas io™ system uses patented technology based on the use of a novel electrochemical sensor that combines speed, accuracy and multiplex detection capability.  The Company has its head office and laboratory facilities near Bath.  Atlas was established in 2005 and is financed by VC, corporate and private investors including Consort Medical plc, Novartis Venture Funds, J&J Development Corporation, Life Science Partners (LSP), BB Biotech Ventures and YFM Equity Partners.  The company raised £16.9 million in series B finance in 2011.

The Atlas io™ platform

POC diagnostics offer health professionals the ability to test for medical conditions at the site of patient care.  Atlas has developed the io™ system, a flexible POC technology platform, which has been designed to accurately and quickly diagnose a wide range of medical conditions within 30 minutes.  The Atlas io™ system consists of an inexpensive test machine into which a disposable cartridge containing a patient sample is inserted.  The io™ platform is scheduled for clinical trials in 2014, followed by rollout in Europe and the United States, pending regulatory approvals.

Atlas is developing tests for a range of infectious diseases including sexually transmitted infections and hospital acquired infections.  The io™ system will initially be launched for the rapid testing of Chlamydia, allowing clinicians to test and treat patients in a single visit.  Around 40 million tests are carried out for these diseases in Europe and the US every year.  According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), with prevalence rates in young people between 5-10%, whilst Gonorrhoea is the second most commonly 'reported' STI.  An increasing awareness, number of reported cases and increased testing for Gonorrhoea, Trichomonasvaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection means these are a logical extension to the STI test menu for the io™ platform.  The worldwide in vitro diagnostic market for infectious disease testing is estimated to be worth around US$9 billion.

Contact details:

Atlas Genetics Ltd:    
John Clarkson    
Tel: +44(0)1225-717930
   
FTI Consulting:    
Mo Noonan / Ben Atwell    
Tel: +44(0)207-831-3113

SOURCE Atlas Genetics Ltd.