ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., April 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:BRLI) announced today that it has hired Robert Daber, Ph.D. to assume the dual role as Director of Research and Development and Director of Cancer Genetics at its Elmwood Park international headquarters. BRLI has been an industry leader in clinical diagnostics primarily as a result of its ongoing development of innovative testing based on new and emerging technology. Dr. Daber will take over leadership of this pioneering process along with his directorship of the cancer genetics program at BRLI.
Prior to taking on his new role at BRLI, Dr. Daber had been the Technical Director of Clinical Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, since 2011. While at the University of Pennsylvania, he pioneered one of the earlier CAP/CLIA compliant cancer genomics diagnostic laboratories where he was responsible for the development of Next Generation (NextGen) Sequencing Clinical Tests, along with associated methodologies and bioinformatics. During his tenure he reviewed genomic profiles for over 2000 tumors and developed novel bio-informatics approaches to improve assay sensitivity. Prior to that, Dr. Daber was a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where he worked with a variety of techniques, platforms and tools to design and develop efficient tests and testing algorithms in molecular diagnostics. Dr. Daber graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology before earning his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is Board certified in Clinical Cytogenetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG).
Marc D. Grodman, MD, CEO, commented: "Cancer Genetics, which includes understanding the mutational status of a patient's individual tumor, holds great promise for both finding the right therapeutic and improving outcomes. Moreover, it also creates a challenge to find reimbursement levels that today's payers of all kinds can endorse. We have a vision for tumor genotyping: it has to demonstrate clinical utility, meet the highest standards of clinical validity and be cost effective. Bob Daber not only shares this vision, but he has already made it a reality in his career. Building upon our extensive capabilities and our collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, we remain committed to providing the best alternatives for both those who treat cancer as well as those who develop new anti-cancer drugs."
About Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.
BRLI is a clinical testing laboratory offering testing, information and related services to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, employers and governmental units. We believe that we are the fourth largest full-service laboratory in the United States and the largest independent regional laboratory in the Northeastern market. BRLI offers a comprehensive list of laboratory testing services utilized by healthcare providers in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring and treatment of diseases. BRLI primarily focuses on esoteric testing, molecular diagnostics, anatomical pathology, women's health and correctional health care.
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