GeneDx Joins Rare Disease Organizations to Support Rare Disease Day 2019

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GeneDx, Inc., a subsidiary of OPKO Health, Inc.’s BioReference Laboratories, Inc. and recognized leader in genetic testing, joins the worldwide rare disease community in honoring Rare Disease Day 2019 by participating in the fourth annual Rare Disease Day Virtual Race, benefiting the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) and the Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Foundation.

Throughout the month of February, supporters participated in the annual virtual race, pledging to complete either a 5K, 10K or half marathon duration run. On February 24, GeneDx encouraged advocates to join the virtual race under “Zebras 4 Zebras” in an effort to raise awareness for rare diseases and the people and families affected each year.

“Supporting the 12^th edition of Rare Disease Day offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm the company’s long-standing commitment to the rare disease community, just as we do by offering cutting-edge genetic and genomic testing,” said Benjamin D. Solomon, M.D., Managing Director of GeneDx. “In 2019, based on discussions to help us understand how to best serve clinicians and patients, we’ll continue to launch many new tests focused on rare genetic conditions, reiterating our patient-centric approach when developing new diagnostics.”

“Rare Disease Day brings together leaders of healthcare companies, key patient organizations and people and families affected by rare diseases,” said Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Executive Chairman of BioReference Laboratories. “We’re excited to join other industry leaders, rare disease advocates and patients to contribute to the overall rare disease story, as we continue pioneering diagnostics for patients and their families.”

Rare Disease Day 2019 is a global campaign to raise awareness of rare diseases and improve access to available diagnostics, treatments and medical representation for people, and their caregivers, whose lives are impacted by these conditions. Now in its 12th year, Rare Disease Day is an annual celebration organized by the European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and NORD. This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Health and Social Care’, encourages coordination between medical, social and support services in order to tackle the challenges that people living with a rare disease and their families around the world face every day.

For more information about Rare Disease Day in the U.S., go to www.rarediseaseday.us, and for more information about global Rare Disease Day activities, visit www.rarediseaseday.org.

About GeneDx, Inc.
GeneDx is a global leader in genomics, providing testing to patients and their families in more than 55 countries. Led by its world-renowned whole exome sequencing program, GeneDx has an acknowledged expertise in rare and ultra-rare genetic disorders, as well as one of the broadest menus of sequencing services available among commercial laboratories. GeneDx offers a suite of additional genetic testing services, including diagnostic testing for hereditary cancers, cardiac, mitochondrial, neurological disorders, prenatal diagnostics and targeted variant testing. GeneDx is a subsidiary of BioReference Laboratories, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of OPKO Health, Inc. To learn more, please visit www.genedx.com.

About OPKO Health, Inc.
OPKO Health is a diversified healthcare company. In diagnostics, its BioReference Laboratories is the nation's third largest clinical laboratory; GeneDx is a rapidly growing genetic testing business; the 4Kscore® prostate cancer test is used to confirm an elevated PSA to help decide about next steps such as prostate biopsy; Claros® 1 is a point-of-care diagnostics platform with a total PSA test approved by the FDA and testosterone as the most advanced test in development.  In our pharmaceutical pipeline, RAYALDEE is our first pharmaceutical product to be marketed.  OPK88003, a once-weekly oxyntomodulin for type 2 diabetes and obesity in Phase 2 clinical trials, is among a new class of GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonists.  OPK88004, a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator) is currently has been studied for benign prostatic hyperplasia but we are exploring other potential indications.  The Company’s most advanced product utilizing its CTP technology, a once-weekly human growth hormone for injection, is in Phase 3 trials, and is partnered with Pfizer.  OPKO also has research, development, production and distribution facilities abroad.  More information is available at www.opko.com.

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