NeoGenomics, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, and the Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute Launch Collaborative Translational Research Program

FT. MYERS, Fla., Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoGenomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEO), a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services, announced today that it has entered into a research agreement with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University (Lurie Cancer Center) and the Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute (NMDTI) that will provide the basis to initiate a broad-spectrum translational program designed to expand the established clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling technologies in the development of oncology therapeutics from early pre-clinical studies to clinical practice.

The Lurie Cancer Center and NMDTI expect to conduct a broad range of research studies with NeoGenomics that will expand current protocols focused on matching cognate agents with targets identified by the NeoTYPE line of cancer profiling tests.  

"Our joint research efforts with NeoGenomics are important elements of the Lurie Cancer Center and NMDTI's roles as global leaders in delivering personalized medicine," stated Leonidas C. Platanias, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Lurie Cancer Center.

"This is a time of fundamental change in cancer therapy. We are being challenged to optimally incorporate the translation of molecular biology into personalized medicine while we also have a blossoming of immune-oncology as a therapeutic approach.  As a result, we need to perform appropriate molecular analyses on all possible patient tumors. NeoGenomics is a key ally in NMDTI's focus on individualized patient care with cognate therapies directed at key molecular targets in cancer.  The NeoTYPE cancer profiles are important solutions that help us address this challenge," said Francis J. Giles, M.D., Director of the NMDTI and Deputy Director of the Lurie Cancer Center.

"We believe that collaboration between academia and industry is key for successful innovation and improved patient care.  The success of precision therapy is dependent on precision diagnostics.  Working with NMDTI, we will explore how our NeoTYPE cancer profiles can help guide clinicians in selecting the precise therapeutic approach for treating specific cancers in order to improve outcomes," said Maher Albitar, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Research and Development at NeoGenomics.

Doug VanOort, NeoGenomics' Chairman and CEO, said, "Our support of the Lurie Cancer Center and NMDTI in their efforts to develop new therapies is part of our commitment to being a leader in cancer testing innovation."

About the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute (NMDTI)

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and NMDTI have launched a discipline-defining research program devoted to uniting and expanding their investment in the field of developmental therapeutics. This field creates a continuous synergistic loop linking preclinical basic science breakthroughs to the use of novel approaches to prevent cancer, to better predict its causes and behavior, and to develop better treatments for patients who suffer from cancer. Today, the Lurie Cancer Center is one of only 41 NCI-designated "Comprehensive" cancer centers in the nation. In addition, the Lurie Cancer Center is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 25 of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer and part of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, a network of academic institutions working to together on highly translational clinical trials using the expertise of Big Ten universities. The Lurie Cancer Center is affiliated with four leading teaching hospitals in Chicago — Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago , the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and the Jesse Brown Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, treating more than 10,000 new patients with cancer each year.

The Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute (NMDTI) provides the infrastructure, expertise, and people to accelerate the developmental therapeutics process. With dedicated patient care facilities, experienced physician scientists, and specialized advanced practice providers, pharmacists, and allied staff, NMDTI brings a large external pipeline of investigational agents to our patients while accelerating the development of Northwestern University's internal pipeline of novel therapies. The NMDTI Developmental Therapeutics Fellowship, supported by the Woman's Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, focuses on nurturing physician scientists whose career is dedicated to curing cancer.

About NeoGenomics, Inc.

NeoGenomics, Inc. operates a network of CLIA-certified clinical laboratories that specialize in cancer genetics testing, the fastest growing segment of the laboratory industry.  The Company's testing services include cytogenetics, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, anatomic pathology and molecular genetic testing.  NeoGenomics services the needs of pathologists, oncologists, other clinicians and hospitals throughout the United States, and has laboratories in Nashville, TN; Irvine, Fresno and West Sacramento CA; and Tampa and Fort Myers, FL. 

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements.  These forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among others, the company's ability to continue gaining new customers, offer new types of tests, and otherwise implement its business plan. As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with NeoGenomics' periodic filings with the SEC.

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SOURCE NeoGenomics, Inc.

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