BRISBANE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareDx, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDNA), a molecular diagnostics company focused on the development and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high value, non‐invasive surveillance solutions for transplant recipients, today announced the appointment of Dr. John J. Sninsky, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Sninsky brings a wealth of experience in the discovery, development and application of diagnostic technologies, content and interpretive test solutions, having most recently served as the Vice President of Discovery Research at Celera Corporation. Following Celera's acquisition by Quest Diagnostics, he served as the Alameda site head for Quest's Science & Innovation and oversaw organization-wide Bioinformatics.
"Today's announcement reflects an exciting milestone for CareDx, and we are delighted to welcome someone with John's depth of experience and passionate interest in improving patients' lives to our leadership team," said Peter Maag, President and Chief Executive Officer of CareDx. "John has been a continued driving force in advancing breakthrough innovations in molecular diagnostics. His insights and expertise will be instrumental during this pivotal time for CareDx as we seek to build scale in donor‐derived cell free DNA (cfDNA) and launch additional tests and solutions, extend our services, and continue to grow through expanding our commercial presence."
Dr. Sninsky brings significant experience ranging from early stage biotechnology to international pharmaceutical organizations as well as a range of CLIA and IVD product settings. He, along with his colleagues, was instrumental in recognizing the importance of and bringing pioneering companion diagnostics to the treatment of HIV. In addition, following determination of the sequence of first human genome at Celera Genomics, Dr. Sninsky oversaw a sequencing study to uncover human genetic variation, a prerequisite to his team embarking on early and extensive functional genetic association studies.
"John has established and overseen teams of scientists encompassing high throughput scientific operations for DNA genotyping and RNA expression, biostatistics, bioinformatics and computational biology. His long term focus has been in infectious disease, cardiometabolic disease and oncology - all of which should serve him well at CareDx," added Maag.
"There is profound and untapped potential to address the compelling diagnostic needs employing information-directed patient management strategies for the transplant setting. I am excited about joining the strong and accomplished CareDx team. I am especially impressed with the medical insight and scientific rigor brought to clinical testing and FDA clearance of AlloMap for heart transplant surveillance," commented Dr. Sninsky.
Among Dr. Sninsky's past awards are the Centers for Disease Control Charles C. Shepherd Science Award (1988), the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology Award (1992) and the Hoffmann-La Roche R & D Prize in 1997 for his efforts in applying PCR to virology and developing assays for measuring viral load in individuals with HIV. Dr. Sninsky was a recipient of the Purdue University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.
Dr. Sninsky is a member of American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association of Molecular Pathologists, American Society Human Genetics, American College Medical Genetics, American Association Cancer Research and American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers including methods in molecular biology, application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to virology and cancer, and genome‐wide genetic association studies for multiple common, complex diseases.
Dr. Sninsky received a bachelor's degree in biology from Bates College (1972) and a Ph.D. in biology from Purdue University (1976). He was a postdoctoral fellow in Genetics and Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. From 1981 to 1984, Dr. Sninsky was on the faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology with a joint appointment in the Department of Molecular Biology. He was a member of the AECOM Liver and Cancer Centers.
About CareDx
CareDx, Inc., based in Brisbane, California, is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value, non-invasive diagnostic surveillance solutions for transplant recipients. The Company has commercialized AlloMap®, a gene expression test that aids clinicians in identifying heart transplant recipients with stable graft function who have a low probability of moderate/severe acute cellular rejection. For more information, please visit: www.CareDxInc.com.