-- MyPerioPathsm is a DNA test focused on identifying the presence and
bacterial load (quantity) of disease-causing pathogens associated with
periodontal disease.
-- MyPerioIDsm PST®, is a genetic test aimed at determining
susceptibility to periodontal disease by analyzing the interleukin 1 genes.
This test will be performed in-house by OralDNA under a license from
Interleukin Genetics through a multi-year agreement between the companies.
The combination of these two important tests creates a systematic way to
track and maximize clinical outcomes. They take the guesswork out of
diagnosing and treating gingivitis and periodontitis, and the result is
often a more productive and pro-active perio department within dental
practices.
"We are excited to help lead the application of molecular and clinical
laboratory testing to the forefront of dentistry," said Chief Executive
Officer Brian C. Carr. "A disease that affects such a large portion of our
population should be considered a high priority for aggressive
intervention. OralDNA has the ability to help support advances by the
dental community and, by implementing personalized medicine, create a more
informed patient. Additionally, OralDNA is currently working to expand its
test menu to support the dental community's need for more laboratory-based
diagnostic data."
Carr continued, "The Company expects that its primary test menu will be
focused around using saliva as the specimen. Substantial ongoing research
in both private and university settings is demonstrating that, in certain
cases, saliva provides more sensitivity and specificity than blood or
urine. In addition, saliva-based testing has many other important
advantages: improved safety for healthcare workers, ease of obtainment,
lower logistic cost with increased transport safety and stability, and
excellent reproducibility. As a result, OralDNA believes that the emerging
field of 'salivary diagnostics' will play an increasing role in laboratory
and personalized medicine, not only in infectious disease, but also in
cancer, cardiology and endocrinology. The impact could be dramatic as this
fits a critical need in the U.S. for better access, lower cost, and a
tailored approach to accompany therapeutic medicine. We believe OralDNA can
play a key role in this evolution."
Joining Dr. Nabors and Mr. Carr as a part of the executive management team
are Sam Daniel, J. Mark Farrington, and Robert P. Walker, all of whom
served key roles in building American Esoteric Laboratories, a clinical
laboratory founded by Mr. Carr. Rounding out the executive team are Ken
Clarke, who has served in multiple consulting capacities with Vanderbilt
University Medical Center and was formerly with LabOne, and Russ Nabors,
who has worked within the dental and healthcare industry for the last eight
years. Serving as chair of the company's Dental Advisory Board and in a
consultative role is Dr. Thomas Nabors III, DDS, an American Academy of
Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) accredited dentist practicing in middle
Tennessee.
Oak Investment Partners led an investment consortium that joined with
management in capitalizing OralDNA. Oak Investment Partners is expected to
play an important role as the Company identifies potential acquisitions and
seeks additional resources to scale the organization.
OralDNA Labs also announced that one of the world's leading experts in
molecular diagnostics and genetics, Dr. Ronald McGlennen, has joined
OralDNA as its medical director.
"Dr. McGlennen's addition helps us connect the medical and dental
communities," said Dr. Nabors. "The medical community has long used
molecular and other diagnostic laboratory testing to improve diagnosis and
treatment, and we can transport this experience to the dental community. As
importantly, the medical community is beginning to establish a link between
oral and systemic health and to explore testing within the oral cavity --
the dental community can provide valuable insights in this effort."
"Our team has gone to great lengths in the development of this company to
meet the same regulatory and quality control standards as other testing
labs that serve the physician community," said Carr. "In addition to rigid
U.S. federal and state clinical lab license requirements, including CLIA,
we already have begun the process of becoming CAP (College of American
Pathologists) accredited, which is a true signal of dedication to quality
among lab professionals and physicians."
About OralDNA Labs, Inc. (www.OralDNA.com):
OralDNA Labs, Inc is a specialty diagnostic company created to advance
future and existing diagnostic laboratory capabilities as they are applied
within oral medicine. Our purpose is to help the dental profession achieve
better clinical outcomes by providing reliable, definitive and cost
effective clinical tests that drive the detection and prognosis of disease
at an earlier, more treatable stage.
About Oak Investment Partners (www.oakinv.com):
Oak Investment Partners is a multi-stage venture capital firm with a total
of $8.4 billion in committed capital. The primary investment focus is on
high growth opportunities in clean energy, communications, information
technology, internet new media, financial services information technology,
healthcare services and consumer retail. Over a 29-year history, Oak has
achieved a strong track record as a stage-independent investor funding more
than 435 companies at key points in their lifecycle. Oak has been involved
in the formation of companies, funded spinouts of operating divisions and
technology assets, and provided growth equity to mid- and late-stage
private businesses and to public companies through PIPE investments.
Contact Information: Contact: Robert P. Walker Sr. Vice President (972)639-6941