James Thompson MD, PhD Joins Ambry Genetics as Medical Director Ambry Genetics Names Luke Padwick, MD, MS to its Board of Directors

IRVINE, CA (December 17, 2004) – AMBRY GENETICS, a leading genetic testing company, has named James Thompson MD, PhD as Medical Director and Luke Padwick, MD, MS to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Thompson is a board-certified Pathologist with extensive experience in anatomic pathology, hematopathology and molecular genetics. Dr. Thompson continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director for Pathogenesys, which conducts pathology testing to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop and test cancer drugs and treatments, and Senior Medical Director for US Labs (now Labcorp). Previously Dr. Thompson was Vice President and Medical Director for Oncotech, Inc., which conducts molecular oncology testing services. Dr. Thompson received his medical degree and doctorate from the University of California, Irvine. He completed residency in anatomic pathology and a fellowship in molecular pathology from Stanford University.

Dr. Padwick practices Adult and Pediatric Emergency Medicine in Lubbock, Texas, with part-time Emergency Department work in Los Angeles, California. Prior to his medical training, Luke was an Analyst in Research and Development Finance, at Apple Computer, in Cupertino, California. He later gained research experience in the field of molecular biology at UT–Southwestern Medical Center, where he studied the nerve outgrowth stimulated by cell implants. Luke did his residency in Emergency Medicine at LA County–Martin Luther King Hospital. He holds an MS in Zoology, with a concentration in Biochemistry, from Texas Tech University, and an MD from the University of Texas–Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. Luke holds a BA from Stanford University in Quantitative Economics.

“We are pleased that Jim and Luke have joined our team at this exciting time of our company's growth,” said Charles Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer of Ambry Genetics. “Both are talented and accomplished professionals whose broad backgrounds in pathology, molecular genetics and medical research substantially complement our strengths and strategic goals.” The appointments support Ambry’s ongoing programs of delivering clinically important and commercially valuable genetic tests to the marketplace.

AMBRY GENETICS

Ambry Genetics is a worldwide leader in specialized genetic testing. The proprietary Ambry Test™ combines scanning and sequencing technologies to analyze a gene’s entire coding region plus surrounding critical introns. Capable of identifying more than 99% of the known disease-causing mutations of the CFTR gene, the company’s reputable Cystic Fibrosis test has an unrivaled detection rate of over 96% across all ethnic groups. The Company also created the world’s first and only comprehensive genetic test for three principal genes (PRSS1, SPINK1 and CFTR) associated with Chronic and Hereditary Pancreatitis. Ambry Genetics most recent development detects mutations of the most significant genes (MLH1, MSH2) causing hereditary colon cancer, significantly optimizing patient management and risk assessment. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Company’s advancements are providing precise, cost effective methods to aid in disease definition and early, more accurate diagnosis. Several academic and pharmaceutical research projects are underway, including expanded population statistical analysis and the development of assays for other genes. Website: www.ambrygen.com.

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