DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GeneCentric, a molecular diagnostics company focused on personalized oncology today announced the appointment of Dr. Arnold Levine to the company's board of directors. Dr. Levine brings to GeneCentric a wealth of experience related to the life sciences, and status as a prominent inventor in the field of molecular biology.

"I am pleased to join the GeneCentric Board at this important time for both the company and personalized oncology," said Dr. Levine. "GeneCentric has brought together world leaders in cancer research and diagnostics. They have made tremendous progress in a very short amount of time to advance the development of novel, targeted assays that enable oncologists make more informed, individualized, therapy decisions."

Dr. Levine is a widely acclaimed leader in cancer research. In 1979, Levine and others discovered the p53 tumor suppressor protein, a molecule that inhibits tumor development. Dr. Levine previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockefeller University from 1998 to 2002 and was the Harry C. Weiss Professor of the Life Sciences and Chairman of the Molecular Biology Department at Princeton University from 1984 to 1998. He established the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for Advanced Study, which concentrates on research at the interface of molecular biology and the physical sciences: on genetics and genomics, polymorphisms and molecular aspects of evolution, signal transduction pathways and networks, stress responses, and pharmacogenomics in cancer biology.

"We are excited to have Dr. Levine join the GeneCentric board. HIs vast experience will help drive the GeneCentric scientific vision and strategy," said Clay Thorp, General Partner at Hatteras Venture Partners and Chairman of GeneCentric. "The addition of Dr. Levine further validates both the company's scientific and development strategies."

GeneCentric was co-founded in 2011 by two pioneers in cancer research, Drs. Charles Perou and Neil Hayes, who discovered molecular signatures critical in distinguishing clinically relevant subtypes of lung cancer. GeneCentric in-licensed from UNC-CH these technologies, known as the Lung Subtype Platform (LSP), and the Hypoxia Signature for diagnosing risk of cancer metastasis, and Hatteras Venture Partners provided the founding Series I financing. GeneCentric is led by Dr. Myla Lai-Goldman, former CMO & CSO of Laboratory Corporation of America, Holdings (LabCorp) and current Venture Partner at Hatteras Venture Partners.

About GeneCentric

GeneCentric Diagnostics, Inc, based in Durham, NC, is a molecular diagnostic company which develops and commercializes novel assays that enable oncologists and their patients make more informed treatment decisions. For more information, please visit: http://www.genecentric.com

Contact:

Myla Lai-Goldman myla@genecentric.com

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Dr. Arnold Levine Joins GeneCentric Board of Directors