My background in science and business helps me identify a project with potential, validate the science and prepare the technology to become a successful commercial product. I understand what it takes to commercialize a new scientific discovery.
Fayetteville, Ark., and Seattle, Wash. (PRWEB) May 27, 2014
Dr. Patricia Beckmann, a prominent scientist and inventor has been appointed to the combined roles of chief scientific officer (CSO) and chief business officer (CBO) at Ascendant Dx. In addition, Dr. Mark Boguski and Dr. Isaac Kohane have joined the Scientific Advisory Board of the company. “We are pleased to welcome such distinguished scientists and entrepreneurs into our executive and advisory rank,” says Omid Moghadam, chief executive officer, Ascendant Dx.
Patricia Beckmann, PhD is a co-inventor of the rheumatoid arthritis drug, Enbrel (2012 worldwide sales over $8B) and the founder and managing director of BioStrategy, LLC, a strategic and management consultancy. She formerly was the president and executive director of the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) in Portland, Oregon.
Dr. Beckmann has excelled in scientific advancement as well as business leadership and development of proteomics-based diagnostics. She was chief scientific officer at Homestead Clinical Corporation (now Integrated Diagnostics), a startup financed by Seattle’s Accelerator focusing on proteomic biomarkers for cancer. Previously at Vulcan Capital, the investment vehicle for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Beckmann was responsible for vetting biotechnology venture investment opportunities.
“My background in science and business helps me identify a project with potential, validate the science and prepare the technology to become a successful commercial product,” says Beckmann. “I understand what it takes to commercialize a new scientific discovery.”
Mark Boguski, MD, PhD is a pioneer in the fields of precision diagnostics, bioinformatics and genomics and has founded or co-founded ventures in diagnostics, medical publishing, consumer health and mobile health. Dr. Boguski serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and as the Chief Medical Officer of Genome Health Solutions, Inc. He founded the Genomic Medicine Initiative at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School) in 2009. He has previously held faculty positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the U.S. National Institutes of Health and as an executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He is a former Vice President of Novartis and has been described as a Visionary and Influencer according to the Personalized Medicine Coalition. Dr. Boguski is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academies and a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists.
Isaac Kohane, MD, PhD is a Professor of Pediatrics and Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard Medical School. He is the Co-Director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics at HMS, and the Director of the Boston Children’s Hospital Informatics Program. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics and of the Society of Pediatric Research, a member of the Institute of Medicine, and the American Society of Clinical Investigation.
Dr. Kohane leads multiple collaborations at HMS and it’s hospital affiliates in the study of cancer (as it relates to) and the development of the brain. Dr. Kohane also leads several NIH-funded efforts to translate genomic research into clinical practice and continues his own practice in pediatric endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital. His research has been the basis of several successful new ventures in diagnostics and bioinformatics.
“We are fortunate that we can count of the advice and participation of such prominent scientists and clinicians at Ascendant,” says Moghadam. “Because of their exceptional blend of experiences, we will increase our scientific capabilities, our link to the academic community and our ability to successfully bring diagnostic products we develop to market.”
Ascendant Dx, an emerging biotech company, develops high-value proteomics-based diagnostic tests. Ascendant’s tests combine the latest discoveries in proteomics with proven diagnostic platforms, aiming for tests that are simpler, more accurate and widely available. Ascendant Dx’s first product in development, MelodyDx™, is a panel of biomarkers, which distinguishes a malignant breast mass from benign tissue. Ascendant Dx, LLC is a VIC Technology Venture Development™ portfolio company.
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