Signal Genetics and Caris Life Sciences Announce Commercialization Partnership for New Myeloma Gene Expression Test

NEW YORK and IRVING, Texas, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Signal Genetics, the parent company of Myeloma Health LLC, a privately held predictive genetic testing company focused on oncology, and Caris Life Sciences, Inc., a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostic services, today announced a new agreement under which Caris Life Sciences will offer Signal Genetics' new gene expression profile test for Multiple Myeloma (MyPRS™) to community-based hematologists/medical oncologists nationwide.  

Myeloma Prognostic Risk Signature™ (MyPRS) offers the most detailed expression profiling information for multiple myeloma patients available on the market. MyPRS analyzes and applies a proprietary algorithm to a defined number of relevant genes to determine the gene expression profile associated with the patient's condition. The gene expression profiling behind MyPRS allows physicians to gain a predictive view of their patient's prognosis, enabling truly personalized treatment options. The technology has been published in more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific journals and is powered by the world's largest outcomes database for multiple myeloma patients.

"MyPRS is a powerful tool and we are excited about our new affiliation with Signal Genetics, as it allows us to provide physicians access to personalized, prognostic information for multiple myeloma patients that can directly impact patient care," said Dr. Raul Braylan, Hematopathologist and Clinical Medical Director of Hematopathology Services at Caris Life Sciences. "The addition of MyPRS, to our comprehensive diagnostic testing menu, further enhances the innovative, personalized diagnostic solutions we provide to the physicians we serve."

MyPRS is available to community-based hematologists and medical oncologists exclusively through Caris' Hematology Pathology Services, and will utilize Caris' proprietary shipping kit to transport patient specimen. The MyPRS analysis will be performed at Signal Genetics' CLIA-certified (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) laboratory, based in Little Rock, Ark., and test results will be incorporated into Caris' summary reports, providing a seamless and comprehensive overview for the ordering physician.

"At Signal Genetics our goal is to make personalized medicine a reality for patients with cancer, and our new collaboration with Caris Life Sciences will provide broad access to MyPRS through Caris' extensive base of hematology/oncology physician clients" said Joe Hernandez, President and CEO of Signal Genetics. "MyPRS is very complementary to Caris' extensive, current Hematology offering and provides physicians a comprehensive view of their patient's genetic profile to assist them in managing their disease."

The agreement also provides Caris the opportunity to access new, innovative technologies developed or licensed by Signal Genetics to further enhance both the service offerings of both companies.

About Signal Genetics

Signal Genetics, the parent company of Myeloma Health, is a privately held predictive genetic testing company focused on helping cancer patients. The goal of Signal Genetics is to provide cancer patients and their physicians with novel and innovative insights into their disease, including predictive outcome of disease stage, odds of relapse, and the optimal treatment regimen based on their specific genetic expression profile. Additional information is available at www.signalgenetics.com.

About Caris Life Sciences

Caris Life Sciences, a leading biosciences company, specializes in the development and commercialization of the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling, and blood-based diagnostic technologies, in the fields of oncology, dermatopathology, hematopathology, gastrointestinal pathology and urologic pathology. The company provides academic-caliber consultations for thousands of patients a day, through its industry-leading team of expert, subspecialty pathologists. Caris also offers advanced molecular analyses of patient samples through prognostic testing services and genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling to assist physicians in their treatment of cancer. Currently, Caris is developing its proprietary, blood-based Carisome™ circulating microvesicle (cMV) technology into a series of tests for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis of cancer and other complex diseases. The company is headquartered in the Dallas metroplex, operates laboratories in the Dallas, Phoenix and Boston metro areas and is entering the European markets through its first international location in Switzerland. For more information, visit www.carislifesciences.com.

SOURCE Signal Genetics