-- 15-Year Johnson & Johnson Veteran to Lead microRNA Company --
REHOVOT, Israel & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2009--
Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ROSG), a leading developer of
microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, today announced the appointment of
Kenneth A. Berlin to the position of president and chief executive
officer, effective November 2, 2009. Rosetta Genomics’ board of
directors has recommended that Mr. Berlin also be appointed to serve on
the Rosetta Genomics’ board of directors. This recommendation will be
put to vote at the Company’s upcoming annual shareholders meeting.
Prior to his appointment as president and CEO of Rosetta Genomics, since
July 2007, Mr. Berlin, who is 45, served as worldwide General Manager at
cellular and molecular cancer diagnostics developer Veridex, LLC, a
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) company. Under his leadership the
organization grew to over 100 employees, and he spearheaded the launch
of three cancer diagnostic products, the acquisition of its cellular
diagnostics partner, and delivered significant growth in sales as
Veridex transitioned from a research and development entity to a
commercial provider of oncology diagnostic products and services. During
Mr. Berlin’s tenure, Veridex received numerous awards including
recognition from the Cleveland Clinic and Prix Galien for the use of its
innovative CellSearch® technology in the fight against cancer.
Mr. Berlin joined Johnson & Johnson in 1994 and served as corporate
counsel for six years. He led and participated on the legal team that
oversaw several mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and commercial
transactions across Johnson & Johnson. He then held positions of
increasing responsibility within Johnson & Johnson and a number of its
subsidiary companies. From 2001 until 2004 he served as vice president,
licensing and new business development in the pharmaceuticals group, and
from 2004 until 2007 was worldwide vice president, franchise
development, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics. He has been responsible for
numerous licensing and/or research collaboration deals in metabolic
disease, cardiovascular disease, oncology, CNS and women’s health,
including the ex-U.S. license to Millennium Pharmaceutical’s VELCADE, a
first-in-class, oncology therapeutic with reported sales outside the
U.S. in excess of $750 million in 2008.
“Ken is a proven business leader whose background, accomplishments and
commercialization experience in the novel diagnostics space are
particularly well-suited for Rosetta Genomics at this time,” said Yoav
Chelouche, chairman of the board of directors. “We have commercialized
three microRNA diagnostic tests and have licensed or formed distribution
agreements with six separate parties on five continents for these tests.
As we further develop the markets for our paraffin-based microRNA
diagnostic tests, identify additional paraffin and body fluid-based
tests to develop, and pursue avenues to leverage our platform
technology, we expect that Rosetta will benefit from Ken’s strong
leadership, negotiating and alliance management skills as well as his
portfolio management experience. We are fortunate to welcome him to
Rosetta Genomics.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Berlin said, “MicroRNAs are among the
most exciting opportunities in medicine today, as they hold breakthrough
potential to diagnose and treat various conditions. I am impressed by
the breadth of Rosetta’s intellectual property and the flexibility of
its technology platform, and am very excited to lead this group of
talented individuals as we continue to evolve the company’s business
model from an R&D entity to a company with both world-class science and
world-class commercial execution. I am an entrepreneur at heart, and I
look forward to honing and executing our growth strategy and
communicating our plans to the investment community by the end of the
year.”
Mr. Berlin holds an A.B. degree from Princeton University and a J.D.
from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. He began
his career as an attorney at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York
City. He has received several awards including the 2004 Pharmaceutical
Achievement Award—Licensing Deal of the Year Finalist. He is a
member of the board of directors of the Central and South Jersey Chapter
of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics is a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular
diagnostics. Founded in 2000, the company’s integrative research
platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory
processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated
novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and
proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working on the
application of these technologies in the development of a full range of
microRNA-based diagnostic tools. The company’s first three
microRNA-based tests, miRview™ squamous, miRview™ mets, and miRview™
meso, are commercially available through its Philadelphia-based
CLIA-certified lab. Rosetta Genomics is the 2008 winner of Wall Street
Journal’s Technology Innovation Awards in the medical/biotech category.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, small
RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the
basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many
diseases are caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to
selectively regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide
the means to treat a wide range of human diseases. In addition,
microRNAs have been shown to have different expression in various
pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for
a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta’s future
expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation,
statements relating to the role of microRNAs in human physiology and
disease, and the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment
of disease constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the
safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated
by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important
factors, including risks related to: Rosetta’s approach to discover
microRNA technology and to work on the application of this technology in
the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic tools, which may
never lead to commercially accepted products or services; Rosetta’s
ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property;
Rosetta’s ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to
defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties;
Rosetta’s need and ability to obtain additional funding to support its
business activities; Rosetta’s dependence on third parties for
development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and distribution of
products; Rosetta’s ability to successfully develop its candidate tools,
products and services; Rosetta’s ability to obtain regulatory clearances
or approvals that may be required for its products and services; the
ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for
the products and services comprising Rosetta’s technology; competition
from others using technology similar to Rosetta’s and others developing
products for similar uses; Rosetta’s dependence on collaborators; and
Rosetta’s short operating history; as well as those risks more fully
discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta’s Annual Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking
statements represent Rosetta’s views only as of the date of this release
and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any
subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements unless required by law.
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Source: Rosetta Genomics, Ltd.
Rosetta Genomics Company Contact:
Ron
Kamienchick
215-382-9000, ext. 318
investors@rosettagenomics.com
or
Investor
Contacts:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Kim
Sutton Golodetz
212-838-3777
kgolodetz@lhai.com
or
Bruce
Voss
310-691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com