About 20/20 GeneSystems

20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. is dedicated to the development and commercialization of novel protein biomarker based diagnostics useful for both early disease detection and personalized medicine.   Founded in 2000, the company is privately held and headquartered in Rockville Maryland. 
The company presently utilizes several proprietary protein array technologies including a technique for multiplex tumor profiling that is a platform for  “companion diagnostics” that predict patient response to targeted therapies.
Our technologies were also employed in the development of what we believe will be the  first blood test for the early detection of lung cancer that will be a routine screen for smokers and others at high risk for the world’s leading cancer killer.  Published data using the biomarkers--for which 20/20 has exclusive rights--suggest accuracies greater than 80%, far better than screening tests used for prostate and other cancers. 
The company also has a profitable business unit, 20/20 BioResponse, dedicated to delivering biotechnology solutions to first responders. 

Career Opportunities

Jonathan Cohen, President & CEO

Jonathan Cohen has been CEO of 20/20 GeneSystems since founding the company in early 2000. Since then he has spearheaded to company's launch of its successful BioCheck product raised over $4 million in equity investments, and nearly $1.5 million in funding from government and corporate sources. Before starting 20/20 Mr. Cohen was patent and general counsel for two publically traded diagnostics companies: Ventana Medical Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: VMSJ) and Oncor Inc. Mr. Cohen is a registered patent attorney with over 14 years experience in biotechnology patents and licensing matters. He has a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University in addition to a law degree from American University. Mr. Cohen initiated and led the legislative effort in Maryland to create the nation's first tax credit specifically for investors in early stage biotech companies. He is an active member of the Technology Council of Maryland, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Molecular Diagnostics Committee, and the 21st Century Medicine coalition. Mr. Cohen also leads 20/20's homeland security unit, 20/20 BioResponse. In that capacity he draws on his previous experience as a former volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.

William James, Ph.D., Research and Development

Dr. James received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Illinois and completed his postdoctoral work at Yale University. He has more than 12 years experience in designing and developing biotechnology products. Dr. James is an author of numerous publications and is an inventor on two issued patents.

Gerard (Jerry) Troy, V.P., Operations & Finance, Secretary/Treasurer

Jerry Troy has headed 20/20's manufacturing and financial operations since joining the company in 2001. In this role he manages the company's 20/20 BioResponse business unit (www.2020BioRespnse.com) with particular regard to BioCheck product manufacturing, packaging, and distribution operations. He also heads up the company's finance operation and oversees 20/20's accounting and investor relations. Mr. Troy serves on the company's Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer. Jerry is an accountant with over 25 years of experience in the financial planning and analysis of diagnostics and biotech companies. He spent 13 years at Becton-Dickenson Corp. in various positions including Financial Manager of the Diagnostics Instruments Systems Division and the Advanced Diagnostic Division. He has also been Vice President, Finance and Administration at Point of Care Technologies as well as a consultant to Sienna Biotech Inc. and MRL Reference Laboratories.

Elizabeth (Liz) Marcus, Director of Marketing and Product Commercialization

Liz Marcus has 15 years experience in biotechnology in both research and industry. After graduation from the University of Toronto with a degree in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology, she worked with one of England’s leading cancer research labs at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, England studying multiple endocrine neoplasia. Upon her return to Canada, Ms. Marcus investigated the mechanisms of diabetes and then joined a team studying ion channel regulation in lymphocytes. Ms. Marcus worked with Molecular Probes in Oregon playing a key role in establishing the marketing efforts of this company. She next spent five years with the product development and marketing team at Promega Corporation including a year with that company’s French office in Lyon, France. Ms. Marcus joined 20/20 Gene Systems in August 2001.

Barry Michael, Marketing and Sales

Barry Michael is an executive with 36 years experience in Operations, Sales and Marketing. During 16 of those years he was with “major” corporations Abbott Laboratories and Kimberly-Clark where he focused on developing/marketing new products and building superior sales organizations to sell those new products. Formal training has included an engineering degree from Brown University, Naval Supply School, a MBA from Wharton (Strategy and Management) as well as attending the Center for Creative Leadership. Since 1993 Barry’s focus has been primarily on life science start-ups. He has particular expertise in diagnostics including cancer and bio-terrorism tests.

Mr. Donald M. Wallach

Mr. Wallach is the president and founder of Wallach Associates., Inc., an internationally known Technical and Executive Search Firm. He is also a founder and member of the board of directors of The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security and is a member of the board of advisors of Congressional Bank. Potomac, MD. During the past 42years, Mr. Wallach has earned a reputation as one of the leaders in the high technology recruitment industry. He has qualified and testified as an expert witness in Maryland courts;before Maryland's Commissioner of Labor and Industry,and before House and Senate committees in the Maryland legislature. Mr. Wallach has shared his decades of expertise in employment and economic issues through numerous interviews on network radio, television, and for print media. Mr. Wallach was educated at Case Institute of Technology and the Harvard Business School.

Donald R. Rogers, Esquire

Mr. Rogers is a partner in the law firm of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. Maryland’s largest law firm outside of Baltimore. Mr. Rogers' practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, tax and business planning. Mr. Rogers, over the past 20 years, has worked with many business entities, including start-up and early-stage business enterprises to assist them in achieving their business objectives. Mr. Rogers has assisted his clients in obtaining required resources such as seed capital, venture capital, and strategic alliances, developed various stock option plans for key employees and assisted clients in implementing succession plans for transition to the next generation of owners. Mr. Rogers serves on the board of directors of both private and publicly held companies and has acted as a significant resource to those companies in that capacity. Prior to joining Shulman Rogers, Mr. Rogers was an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division. He was also an associate professor at the American University Washington College of Law and has served on the American Bar Association Committee on Real Estate Tax Problems and Section of Taxation.