LaserGen names Dr. Mimi Healy as CEO

HOUSTON, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging biotechnology company LaserGen, Inc., focused on commercializing novel technologies for next-generation sequencing (NGS), announced the appointment of Mimi Healy, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and to the LaserGen Board of Directors.

Dr. Healy brings more than two decades of molecular diagnostics, healthcare and biotechnology experience in both US and international markets to LaserGen.  Dr. Healy pulls from a broad experience base having served roles in research and development, commercialization and executive management in both startup and established organizations in the past. She previously served as CEO of Houston-based Bacterial Barcodes, a spin-off company of BCM Technologies, Inc. that resulted in a successful acquisition by a leading global microbiology company. "Dr. Healy has proven her ability to build and grow a small biotech company into a prosperous commercial organization," says company advisor, Dr. Caroline Popper of Popper and Co. "Her experience includes all aspects of strategic development and implementation, corporate finance and fundraising, product development from research to the clinical validation, and the successful market launch of molecular diagnostic systems and test kits."

Dr. Healy takes over from LaserGen founder, Dr. Michael Metzker, who developed and patented Lightning Terminators™, LaserGen's proprietary reversible terminator chemistry which was developed to improve primary read accuracy over that of existing NGS technologies. "Mimi is the right person for LaserGen as we transition the Company from developing technology to commercializing products," said Dr. Metzker, also noting that LaserGen was named one of the Most Promising Companies at the 9th Annual Life Science Venture Forum at Rice University in 2010. "I am excited to be working with Mike and LaserGen's staff," says Dr. Healy.  "Dr. Metzker is a talented scientist who is at the forefront of NGS technology development, which will potentially change the way we think about scientific approaches in basic, applied, and clinical research."

With the addition of Dr. Healy, LaserGen's Board of Directors will expand to six seats.  "The timing of this essential recruitment could not be better for the Company," says board member Paul Frison.  "Mike has developed a standout technology, and with her broad experience in corporate and strategic development, Mimi can bring LaserGen's proprietary technology to the NGS market," Frison added. Healy holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology, M.S. and B.S in Biology, and B.A. in Psychology of Industry and Organizations.

About LaserGen
LaserGen, Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company focused on commercializing novel technologies for DNA sequencing. The combination of the company's Cyclic Reversible Termination (Lightning Terminators™) and Pulsed Multiline Excitation technologies enables development of a high-throughput system for sequencing that offers cost savings and higher efficiency compared to other technologies.

Disclaimer:  The statements in this news release regarding the benefits, potential utility, and commercial value of the products to be developed by LaserGen involve risks and uncertainties. 

SOURCE LaserGen, Inc.