SAN DIEGO (SEPTEMBER 30, 2015) – Today, DermTech, Inc., a privately held dermatology company commercializing non-invasive gene expression tests for skin cancer, announced that its Pigmented Lesion Assay has been selected as a finalist in CONNECT’s Most Innovative New Product Awards. CONNECT, a premier innovation company accelerator in San Diego that creates and scales great companies in the technology and life sciences sectors, continues its twenty-eight year tradition of celebrating innovation leaders in the local San Diego community.

The Pigmented Lesion Assay helps clinicians non-invasively assess atypical pigmented lesions (often referred to as moles) for melanoma. The test measures the expression of 2 genes known to be upregulated in melanoma skin cancer. DermTech’s Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA) provides physicians with non-invasively obtained gene expression information for clinically atypical pigmented skin lesions. The PLA MAGE (Melanoma Associated Gene Expression) detects the presence or absence of expression for two specific genes, PRAME and LINC00518, and is used as the primary profile assessment. These two genes belong to separate classes of molecules that are known to have roles in oncogenesis, and both are elevated in melanoma. The Pigmented Lesion Assay utilizes a sample collected with our Adhesive Patch Skin Biopsy Kit, and can be used to reduce unnecessary surgical biopsy procedures by ruling out false positives based on visual assessment prior to performing a surgical removal. It may also be used to provide immediate information on lesions that typically require 6-12 months of follow up for change. This non-invasive biopsy approach has additional utility in patient populations that are anti-coagulated, at increased risk for infection and scarring, or at risk for wound complications, and for lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas.

‘We are pleased that the first commercial product derived from our platform technology gives physicians the ability to better assess pigmented skin lesions including melanoma while reducing overall cost.  Feedback from both dermatologists and patients on this non-invasive and highly accurate gene expression test has been very positive’ said Dr. John Dobak, DermTech’s CEO and President.

Winners were selected from the following eight categories: Aerospace, Security & Cyber Technologies, Cleantech, Communications & IT, Life Science Diagnostics & Research Tools, Mobile Apps, Pharmaceutical Drugs & Medical Devices, Software & Digital Media and Sport & Active Lifestyle Technologies. Each of the winners will be recognized on the evening of December 1 at the 2015 Most Innovative New Product Awards presentation and dinner, to be held at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92122.

For a complete list of winners and additional information, please visit the Most Innovative New Product Awards Website.

ABOUT DermTech

DermTech is a commercial stage molecular dermatology company developing non-invasive gene expression tests to aid the clinical diagnosis of skin cancer and other skin conditions.  DermTech operates a CLIA licensed laboratory located in the company’s La Jolla, CA headquarters. DermTech’s technology allows the analysis of skin biopsy samples collected non-invasively using an adhesive patch. DermTech provides highly accurate, objective information to the physicians to improve care and reduce costs. Current dermatologic diagnosis is primarily based on subjective visual pattern recognition that is prone to error and results in a substantial number of unnecessary surgical procedures.  For additional information visit: www.dermtech.com.

ABOUT CONNECT

CONNECT is a premier innovation company accelerator in San Diego that creates and scales great companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. By creating an environment in which entrepreneurs and C-suite executives have access to the people, capital, and technology resources they need for success, CONNECT has assisted in the formation and development of more than 3,000 companies since 1985. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful organizations linking entrepreneurs and C-suite executives with the resources they need for the commercialization of innovative products and services; our program has been modeled in more than 50 regions around the world.