Health Discovery Corporation (OTCBB:HDVY), a personalized medicine company specializing in molecular diagnostics including gene-based testing, as well as computer assisted diagnostics in digital pathology and radiology, announced that former Deputy FDA Commissioner John A. Norris has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Company. He will be responsible for business development, primarily creating new strategic partnerships, licenses and contracts to complement the Company’s existing agreements with Quest Diagnostics, Abbott Molecular, Pfizer, Bruker and Clarient.
“We are extremely fortunate to have attracted someone of John Norris’ caliber,” said Stephen D. Barnhill, M.D., chairman and CEO of Health Discovery Corporation (HDC). “We expect that his extensive experience and vast relationships in the healthcare space will make a very meaningful contribution to our growth trajectory. John is a visionary leader who understands how the groundbreaking analytics that we have developed and patented could change the face of diagnostic testing for personalized medicine. His extensive knowledge of the business of healthcare around the world will help us accelerate the commercialization of HDC's new gene-based urine test for prostate cancer.”
According to Mr. Norris, "Dr. Barnhill has assembled a world-class team of researchers, investigators and advisors who have pioneered a bold new approach to diagnostics that will vastly improve the speed and accuracy of testing in the realm of gene-based testing, as well as in digital pathology and digital radiology." HDC holds 72 critical patents that are central to the digital convergence of diagnostics, pathology and radiology. “I am very pleased to be part of this outstanding team," Mr. Norris added.