CARD and Lineagen Offer FirstStepDx® Genetic Testing and Counseling for Children on the Autism Spectrum

LOS ANGELES and SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and Lineagen, Inc. today announced the launch of a new clinical partnership to offer Lineagen's FirstStep^Dx® genetic test to patients and their families. FirstStep^Dx is a whole-genome genetic test customized with validated, novel proprietary genetic variants associated with ASDs. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, FirstStep^Dx, integrated with a pre-and post-test genetic counseling service and personalized reporting, will be offered to patients receiving treatment in CARD's innovative Skills® program. The program is the first of its kind, designed to fully meet current clinical guidelines that recommend chromosomal microarray analysis as a first-line genetic test as part of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of individuals with ASDs.

CARD is the world's largest provider of state-of-the-art, early intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with ASDs. Lineagen is an innovative molecular diagnostics company focused on integrated genetic testing and counseling for individuals with ASDs and other disorders of childhood development.

Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D., CARD Founder and Executive Director, commented, "We are constantly seeking new opportunities to enhance our services with proven research and guideline supported technology and services. Recent scientific literature and clinical guidelines have recommended genetic testing and counseling for children with ASDs.  In selecting a partner in this area, CARD chose Lineagen's FirstStep^Dx because it includes the most advanced technology complemented with the personal service similar to that provided by CARD to each patient and family."

Michael S. Paul, Ph.D., Lineagen's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to initiate our clinical partnership program with CARD. Identification of genetic variants associated with ASDs, as well as other disorders of childhood development, with our FirstStep^Dx test furthers the understanding of the etiology for these disorders and may aid physicians and treatment specialists to more accurately guide clinical management. We look forward to providing children who are receiving the best treatment at CARD with the best genetic testing and genetic counseling service currently available."

About Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD)
CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with ASD, with 23 treatment centers around the globe and a staff of nearly 1,000. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles and procedures of ABA, which has been empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. For more information about the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, visit: www.centerforautism.com or call (855) 345-2273.

About FirstStep^Dx
Lineagen's FirstStep^Dx and related autism-risk screening services (www.m-chat.org) have been developed with the specific intention of helping physicians, patients, and families navigate the diagnostic evaluation "odyssey" of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related forms of developmental delay more efficiently. FirstStep^Dx includes personal genetic counseling, the most advanced CMA and Fragile X genetic testing clinically available, analysis by medical experts, and a detailed, personalized report created specifically for each individual's case. Providing the most clinically actionable information per test result, FirstStep^Dx is specifically designed to help parents, physicians, and other healthcare providers significantly shorten the time to clinical action, allowing access to proven clinical management and treatment approaches as early as possible.

The FirstStep^Dx genetic test now is available as a fast and painless cheek swab (FirstStep^Dx Buccal), eliminating the need for a blood draw. For more information about FirstStep^Dx, please call Lineagen at 888-888-OPEN (888-888-6736) or visit www.FirstStepDx.com.

About Lineagen
Lineagen, a Salt Lake City-based company, aims to accelerate and enhance the diagnostic evaluation of medical conditions so that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for patients and their families. Our first commercial offering, FirstStep^Dx, provides physicians with a fully integrated genetic testing, counseling, and developmental screening service to aid in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with ASD or other forms of developmental delay. In addition to our deep commitment to ASD and developmental delay, we have ongoing scientific programs in the areas of multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For additional information, please visit www.lineagen.com.

Contacts:
Daphne Plump
CARD
Public Relations Manager
Telephone: (661) 478-6512
Email: [email protected]
19019 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356

Burns McClellan on behalf of Lineagen
Justin Jackson
[email protected]
212-213-0006

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121203/NY21878LOGO )

SOURCE Lineagen, Inc.