DNA Sciences Signs Hooper Holmes to Provide Medical Services for The DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(SM) - Hooper Holmes to Provide Nationwide Phlebotomy and Informed Consent Services -
PR NEWSWIRE - August 16, 2000 10:55
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug 16, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- DNA Sciences, Inc. and Hooper Holmes, Inc. (Amex: HH) today announced a joint agreement for Hooper Holmes to provide nationwide phlebotomy and informed consent services for The DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(SM). The Gene Trust is one of the first, large-scale consumer-focused research initiatives to invite volunteers to participate in genetic research through the World Wide Web at dna.com. DNA Sciences believes that such large-scale studies will facilitate the discovery of the links between genes genetics and common diseases.
Jim McNamee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hooper Holmes, stated, "We are pleased to participate in DNA Sciences' ambitious program. This agreement is a testament to our Healthdex Services Group's ability to leverage our core strengths and infrastructure and apply them to an emerging industry. We believe that our nationwide network of 230 branches and over 12,000 examiners combined with our advanced technology infrastructure gives us an unparalleled ability to support DNA Sciences as they pursue their growth initiatives in this exciting new field."
"We are fortunate to have a partner like Hooper Holmes to carry out this critical aspect of our research," said Hugh Y. Rienhoff Jr., M.D., Chairman and CEO of DNA Sciences. "These nation-wide phlebotomy and informed consent services reflect our commitment to large-scale investigations involving the participants in The DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(SM)."
DNA Sciences, a Mountain View, California biotechnology company specializing in proprietary confidential genetic research, will recruit patients from every zip code in the U.S. through its Web site www.DNA.com and relationships with other health related sites like Healtheon/WebMD. This association will allow large numbers of individual consumers interested in genetic research to apply on-line to be a participant in the Gene Trust. Hooper Holmes' Healthdex division allows participants in the Gene Trust to determine where and when they will have their blood drawn.
Building on the recent completion of the Human Genome Project, DNA Sciences believes that information received through the Gene Trust project will accelerate the identification of genetic variations affecting health and disease. DNA Sciences believes that the findings have the potential to lead to early detection of disease, more precise diagnoses, and more effective use of existing therapies. Overall, this work is expected to accelerate the development of new diagnostic products and therapies.
DNA Sciences follows the Code of Conduct (HONcode) dictated by Health on the Net and has applied to be a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program. As an additional safeguard, third parties are not allowed to post banner ads or collect information through DNA.com.
About Hooper Holmes
Hooper Holmes, Inc., a 100 year-old public company based in Basking Ridge, NJ is the leading provider of alternate site medical information and specimen collection services. Through its network of over 300 locations across the US, Hooper performed over 3,000,000 mobile, face to face, information and specimen collection encounters in 1999.
About DNA Sciences
Privately held DNA Sciences, Inc. (formerly Kiva Genetics, Inc.), a consumer-focused genetics company, unites genetic scientists, physicians and consumers to explore the role of genetics in prevalent disease. DNA Sciences' primary goal is to accelerate the advancement of improved medical testing and treatment through genetic discovery.
DNA Sciences was founded in May 1998. The company is backed by, Apple Tree Partners, Brentwood Associates Venture Capital (Versant Venture Capital), Casdin Capital Partners Domain Associates, Healtheon/WebMD, Pequot Capital, and The Soros Fund. In addition, Jim Clark, founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape Communications Corporation and Healtheon Corporation, is an investor and serves on the board of directors of DNA Sciences, as does James Watson, Ph.D., co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.
SOURCE Hooper Holmes, Inc. |
