SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - March 4, 2011) - Atossa Genetics, Inc., a privately-held health care company focused on the development and marketing of novel cellular and molecular diagnostic risk assessment products for breast cancer, announced today that Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO, has been named one of the top health care leaders in the Pacific Northwest by Seattle Business magazine. Dr. Quay was one of three health care executives to be recognized for their outstanding achievements and innovations in the area of medical devices at the "Leaders in Health Care" awards dinner held on February 24, 2011, at the W Hotel in Seattle.
"I am honored to be recognized as one of the top leaders in health care in the Pacific Northwest by Seattle Business magazine," stated Dr. Quay. "As founder of Atossa Genetics and inventor of the Mammary Aspirate Specimen Cytology Test System for breast cancer risk assessment, I am committed to improving the lives of women through the commercialization and widespread adoption of this new breast cancer risk assessment product, which we call the 'Pap test for breast cancer.'"
Dr. Quay continued, "Our FDA-cleared MASCT System has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of breast cancer by enabling physicians and patients to identify premalignant cellular changes in the breast that are predictive of future breast cancer and intervene with lifestyle changes and/or pharmaceuticals. We look forward to launching the MASCT System in the Pacific Northwest this year and across the rest of the U.S. in 2012."
Seattle Business' third annual Leaders in Health Care awards are intended to recognize the best of the Pacific Northwest's multifaceted health care industry, from forward-thinking health care executives and committed practitioners to leading scientists and researchers who have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of others.
Judges involved in selecting the winners of this year's Leaders in Health Care Awards included Mary McWilliams, Executive Director, Puget Sound Healthcare Alliance; Dr. Paul G. Ramsey, CEO, University of Washington Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine; Chris Rivera, President, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association; Dr. Roger Stark, Healthcare policy analyst, Washington Policy Center; Linda Tieman, executive director, Washington Center for Nursing, and Greg Vigdor, president and CEO, Washington Health Foundation.
ABOUT THE MASCT SYSTEM
The patented, FDA-cleared, MASCT System is designed to collect nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), which contains cells from the lining of the milk ducts and the lobules where approximately 85% of all breast cancers originate. Once collected, the NAF sample undergoes laboratory analysis to determine whether the cells are normal, atypical (premalignant), or malignant. The MASCT System uses no radiation, is simple, painless, and inexpensive, and takes less than 5 minutes in a doctor's office or mammography center. The MASCT System is intended as an adjunct to mammography for women ages 40 to 75 and for younger women at high risk for breast cancer.
Patients, health care providers, investors and others seeking information on the MASCT System or the latest information and research on breast cancer risk assessment, diagnostics, prevention, and treatment options, should visit www.atossagenetics.com.
Contact Information:
Contacts:
Corporate:
Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D.
Chairman, President and CEO
206-325-6086