David Sidransky To Chair Scientific Board Of 20/20 GeneSystems

Johns Hopkins Researcher Named “America’s Best Oncologist” by TIME Magazine

ROCKVILLE, MD – August 20, 2001 – David Sidransky, M.D., recently profiled as one of the top eighteen physicians and scientists in America by TIME Magazine, has been named chair of 20/20 GeneSytems, Inc. (20/20)’s scientific advisory board.  Sidransky was recognized by TIME for his work in helping doctors with early detection of cancer.  He has been associated with 20/20 (www.2020gene.com) because of the company’s work developing a revolutionary technology for identifying proteins in diseased tissue. 

“20/20 offers a unique platform in pharmacogenomics,” said Dr. Sidransky.  “I’m excited to be on their board.  It is a pleasure to be in a position to help the company develop this technology for the most appropriate applications.”

Dr. Sidransky, who is the Director of Johns Hopkins’ Medical Center’s Head & Neck Cancer Research Division, has lead one of approximately a dozen outside laboratories throughout the U.S. who have been successfully evaluating 20/20’s technology.  20/20’s proprietary layered membrane platform will be among the first new proteomics technologies of the 21^st century when it becomes commercially available this fall.

  Proteomics is the study of the complete set of proteins expressed in a cell.  Proteins act in an “assembly line” manner within cells to carry out most functions required of living organisms including growth, healing, and communication.  The majority of diseases – including cancer and neurological and inflammatory disorders – result at least in part from a change in one or more proteins in the assembly line.   20/20’s layered membrane technology can be used to create multiple identical copies of the proteomes of normal and diseased tissues.  These copies are then rapidly analyzed using conventional techniques.  Comparisons between the proteins expressed in diseased and normal tissues allow aberrant proteins to be quickly identified.  20/20’s layered membrane technology is believed to be among the first techniques for identifying both the location and activity levels of groups of proteins in tissue.  It will be sold to medical researchers at universities, government labs, and drug companies, beginning this fall.  20/20 and Dr. Sidransky also plan to use the technology to create tools to help tailor cancer treatments to individual patients based on the “proteomic fingerprint” of their tumor.    

“We are honored and delighted that a researcher of David’s stature has decided to join our team.  His research in oncology and diseases is a perfect complement to 20/20.  We look forward to working with him to help move our technology from research laboratories to patient care settings as quickly as possible,” said Jonathan Cohen, president of 20/20 GeneSystems.

About 20/20 GeneSystems, Inc.

20/20 GeneSystems (www.2020gene.com), based in Rockville, MD, was founded in May 2000 to co-develop the layered membrane technology with the National Cancer Institute.  The privately-held company maintains exclusive rights to this technology.

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