CombiMatrix Appoints Preeminent Pediatric Neurologist Dr. James W. Wheless to its Scientific Advisory Board

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CombiMatrix Corporation (NASDAQ:CBMX), a family health molecular diagnostics company specializing in DNA-based reproductive health and pediatric testing services, announces that James W. Wheless, M.D., FAAP, FAAN, has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.  Dr. Wheless is Professor and Chief of Pediatric Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and is Director of the Neurosciences Institute and Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Wheless, a renowned leader in pediatric neurology, become the newest member of our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB),” said Mark McDonough, President and Chief Executive Officer of CombiMatrix.  “Dr. Wheless brings a fresh perspective in neurology to our SAB, which has already made meaningful contributions in supporting the adoption of our tests.  We look forward to tapping into Dr. Wheless’ significant expertise as we develop strategies to further improve our market presence, expand our test portfolio and improve family health diagnostic care.”   

“Major advances in pediatric neurology over the past decade have come from the adoption of newer technologies such as chromosomal microarray analysis in prenatal and pediatric testing that allows for the detection of smaller chromosomal variants over karyotyping,” said Dr. Wheless.  “Better detection of neurologic disorders is part of a comprehensive approach to improving the lives of pediatric patients and I’m delighted to provide my expertise to further support quality care.”

Dr. Wheless is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with special qualifications in child neurology, clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy.  He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Neurology.  He has been a member of the editorial boards of numerous peer-reviewed journals and is a current member at the Journal of Child Neurology and Neurotherapeutics.  He has written three books and more than 50 chapters related to pediatric neurology, and has authored more than 450 articles published in peer-reviewed journals and abstracts presented at scientific conferences.  He has received numerous awards and honors, including “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare,” “Who’s Who in the World” and “Best Doctors in America.” Dr. Wheless received his M.D. from the University of Oklahoma, and completed residencies in pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma and in pediatric neurology at Northwestern University at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

About CombiMatrix Corporation

CombiMatrix Corporation provides best-in-class molecular diagnostic solutions and comprehensive clinical support to foster the highest quality in patient care. CombiMatrix specializes in pre-implantation genetic diagnostics and screening, prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage analysis and pediatric developmental disorders, offering DNA-based testing for the detection of genetic abnormalities beyond what can be identified through traditional methodologies. Our testing focuses on advanced technologies, including single nucleotide polymorphism chromosomal microarray analysis, next-generation sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization and high resolution karyotyping.  Additional information about CombiMatrix is available at www.combimatrix.com or by calling (800) 710-0624.

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