Atossa Genetics Hires Janet Rose Rea, M.S.P.H. as VP Regulatory Affairs and Quality

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - Oct 14, 2015) - Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), a healthcare company focused on improving breast health through the development of pharmaceuticals to treat breast health conditions and through commercialization of medical devices and laboratory tests, today announced that Janet Rose Rea, M.S.P.H., has joined the Company as VP Regulatory Affairs and Quality, effective October 12, 2015.

Ms. Rea has nearly 35 years of industry leadership experience in regulatory affairs and quality. A Washington native, she obtained her B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Washington and was conferred a Master's of Science of Public Health from the same institution. 

Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO, commented, "Janet brings a wealth of Clinical and Nonclinical regulatory affairs and quality experience to Atossa at a critical stage in our clinical development. We look forward to Janet's contributions as we proceed with our clinical development efforts for pharmaceutical treatments for breast health conditions." 

Her career in the healthcare industry started with Miami, FL-based Dade Division of then American Hospital Supply Corporation (now Baxter), followed by Genetic Systems, and she was an early employee of Seattle-based Immunex Corporation where she played a key role in the company's first licensed product, LEUKINE®. She held positions with increasing levels of responsibility with MDS Pharma, Targeted Genetics, and executive positions with AVI BioPharma (now Sarepta), Poniard Pharmaceuticals and Protein Sciences Corporation (Meriden, CT), and Therapeutic Proteins International (Chicago, IL). She has also operated a consulting practice of both small and large organizations, and she has lectured at both Shoreline Community College and the University of Washington - Biomedical Regulatory Affairs Certificate and Master Program, where she was also appointed as an Assistant Clinical Professor.

On October 12, 2015, and as an inducement to cause Ms. Rea to join the Company, she was awarded an option to purchase a total of 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, which are outside the Company's 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan but are subject to the terms of that plan. The stock option has an exercise price equal to $0.79 per share, the fair market value on the grant date and vests 25% at the end of the first year of employment and quarterly after that over the following three years of service. This stock option was granted as an inducement material to Ms. Rea entering into employment with the Company and is being reported in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

About Atossa Genetics
Atossa Genetics, Inc. is focused on improving breast health through the development of therapeutics, medical devices and laboratory services. The laboratory services are being developed by its subsidiary, The National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health, Inc. The laboratory's services and the Company's medical devices are being developed so they can be used as companions to therapeutics to treat various breast health conditions. For more information, please visit www.atossagenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with actions and inactions by the FDA, the outcome or timing of regulatory approvals needed by Atossa to sell its products, responses to regulatory matters, Atossa's ability to achieve its objectives and continue to manufacture and sell its products, recalls of products, the safety and efficacy of Atossa's products and services, performance of distributors and investigators, whether Atossa can launch in the United States and foreign markets the additional tests, devices and therapeutics in its pipeline in a timely and cost effective manner, and other risks detailed from time to time in Atossa's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.