COMPLETE GENOMICS, INC. 
By Feb 29, 2012
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Feb. 29, 2012 - Complete Genomics Inc. (NASDAQ: GNOM), the whole human genome sequencing company, today announced the formation of its Genomic Medicine Advisory Board (GMAB). The GMAB will provide insight and guidance on the best ways for the company to provide sequencing services to healthcare organizations and physicians interested in implementing genomic medicine in their practice.
Inaugural board members include distinguished physicians and scientists. Robert Nussbaum, MD, Holly Smith Professor of Medicine, chief of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Medicine, and director of the Cancer Risk and Cardiovascular Genetics Programs at the University of California, San Francisco, will serve as GMAB chairman.
"There are a number of major challenges to deploying whole genome sequencing in the clinic," said Dr. Nussbaum. "The Complete Genomics GMAB is a wonderful opportunity to assemble thought leaders in genomic medicine to begin to define the 'clinical genome' and how to make it most useful and accessible to clinicians, establish technical and ethical standards, and address some of the regulatory and reimbursement obstacles that exist in this rapidly-evolving field. Complete Genomics is committed to doing this right."
Founding members of the Complete Genomics GMAB include the following:
- Jonathan S. Berg, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Charis Eng, M.D., Ph.D., chair and director of the Genomic Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, and professor and vice chair of the Department of Genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Brynn Levy, M.Sc.(Med), Ph.D., associate professor of clinical pathology and cell biology, co-director of the division of personalized genomic medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and director of the clinical cytogenetics laboratory at the New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
- Elaine Lyon, Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and medical director of the Genetics Division, and co-medical director of Pharmacogenomics at ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Federico A. Monzon, M.D., associate professor of pathology & immunology, and director of molecular pathology at the Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- DesiRae Muirhead, M.D., assistant professor of pathology at Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, and medical director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program and the Sanford Clinical Microbiology Lab, Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Stirling M. Puck, M.D., former vice president for medical affairs at Genzyme Genetics, Santa Fe, N.M.
- Heidi Rehm, Ph.D., director of the Laboratory for Molecular Medicine at Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine and assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
"Whole genome sequencing data will be used by physicians to make treatment decisions for their patients. We're working hard to make sure we can provide them with the information they need in the most accessible and actionable format," said Complete Genomics Chairman, President and CEO Dr. Clifford Reid. "A key step for us is putting together an advisory board like this that includes leaders and visionaries in medical genetics, clinical pathology, oncology, pediatrics, clinical laboratory science, health information technology, healthcare delivery, ethics, and regulatory and reimbursement policy."
The GMAB plans to meet annually to discuss scientific and policy issues and provide feedback on the company's ongoing projects and advice on future direction.
About Complete Genomics
Complete Genomics is the whole human genome sequencing company that has developed and commercialized an innovative DNA sequencing platform. The Complete Genomics Analysis Platform (CGA™ Platform) combines Complete Genomics' proprietary human genome sequencing technology with advanced informatics and data management software. Additional information can be found at http://www.completegenomics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements relating to the insight and guidance the GMAB will provide the company, the potential for the GMAB to define the 'clinical genome' and make it useful and accessible to clinicians, to establish technical and ethical standards and to address the regulatory and reimbursement obstacles in the field, the use of whole genome sequencing by physicians to make treatment decisions, and the future plans of the GMAB, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. The following factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the ability of scientists to successfully analyze the genomic data we provide, the ability of researchers to convert genomic data into medically valuable information, the growth of markets for analysis of genetic variation and biological function and shift of these markets to whole human genome sequencing, ethical, legal and social concerns relating to the use of genetic information, changes in regulatory oversight and the fact that the market for genome sequencing is relatively new and rapidly evolving. More information on potential risks and uncertainties is included in Complete Genomics' Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2011 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks identified under the section captioned "Risk Factors." The Company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
# # #
Lisa Osborne, Account Director | Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Healthcare | 202.261.7806 | lisao@waggeneredstrom.com
