Metamark Genetics Board of Directors Appoints Shawn M. Marcell President and Chief Executive Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Metamark Genetics, Inc., a leader in the discovery of novel molecular prognostic and diagnostic tests for cancer, today announced that industry veteran Shawn M. Marcell has been named the company's new president and chief executive officer. Mr. Marcell succeeds interim executive Michael Kauffman, M.D., who will remain on Metamark's board of directors. 

Metamark lead director Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D., said, "We are excited to welcome Shawn to Metamark as the company prepares to launch its first prognostic test, for prostate cancer. Shawn's broad and deep experience in life sciences, and his success in bringing innovative products to market, make him the ideal leader for Metamark as it grows into to a commercial organization."  Dr. Critchfield added, "We also would like to thank Michael Kauffman for his leadership during this important time in the company's evolution."

"Metamark's strategy to develop novel prognostic and diagnostic tests based on advanced quantitative histologic analysis has the potential to transform approaches to cancer and other major diseases," said Mr. Marcell. "I am thrilled to join the company and look forward to working with the entire team as we build a leading commercial stage molecular diagnostics company."

Mr. Marcell has nearly three decades of diverse executive, commercial and operational experience in life science and technology businesses. Most recently, he was the lead executive, serving as general manager of Hologic's (HOLX) wholly owned LIFECODES subsidiary, which was acquired by Immucor. He headed commercial operations at Sequenom (SQNM), which acquired SensiGen, where he served as president and CEO. Mr. Marcell has both CLIA laboratory and product launch experience and has had additional key management roles with Redpoint Bio, Prima Facie, Centocor and Abbott Diagnostics.

Mr. Marcell has been adjunct faculty and lecturer in Entrepreneurial Programs at the Wharton School and has served on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards.

About Metamark

Metamark Genetics is a privately held biotechnology company founded in 2007 to develop new function- based prognostic and diagnostic tests aimed at improving cancer care. The company's proprietary genomic and proteomic discovery platforms have yielded significant discoveries in several disease areas, including prostate, colon and breast cancers. During 2013, Metamark plans to commercialize ProMark^TM – its lead prostate cancer prognostic test – through its Cambridge, MA CLIA-certified laboratory.  For more information, please visit the company's Website at www.metamarkgenetics.com.

Metamark^TM and ProMark^TM are trademarks of Metamark Genetics, Inc.

SOURCE Metamark Genetics, Inc.