Signal Genetics and Moffitt Cancer Center Enter Into Sponsored Research Agreement in Multiple Myeloma

Signal Genetics, Inc. SGNL (Signal or the Company), a commercial stage, molecular genetics diagnostic company focused on providing innovative diagnostic services that help physicians make better-informed decisions concerning the care of their patients suffering from cancer, today announced that the Company has entered into an agreement with Moffitt Cancer Center to further validate the clinical utility of its MyPRS® test in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions, smoldering multiple myeloma and MGUS (collectively asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies, or AMG). Signal plans three validation studies with multiple Moffitt investigators, including: Kenneth M. Shain, M.D., Scientific Director of the Moffitt Myeloma Working Group Melissa Alsina, M.D., Multiple Myeloma Transplant Program Leader Rachid Baz, M.D., Associate Member of the Malignant Hematology Program Taiga Nishihori, M.D., Assistant Member of the Blood & Marrow Transplantation Program Under the agreement, Signal will perform MyPRS® testing on patient specimens to better inform key patient management decisions, including the risk of progression from the constellation of AMG disorders to symptomatic multiple myeloma. Kenneth Shain, M.D. said, "We believe this collaboration has the potential to further validate a 'first in class' decision-making tool based on the genetics of smoldering myeloma and MGUS, precursor conditions that have been managed suboptimally via the use of outdated clinical metrics. Validation of MyPRS® in this setting may eventually have a significant impact on the management of over 3 million patients in the U.S. that present on the AMG spectrum each year." Melissa Alsina, M.D. added, "We anticipate that these studies will yield data demonstrating the power of genetics to enable 'precision medicine' in the multiple myeloma field, consistent with Moffitt Cancer Center's vision to be aligned with the Precision Medicine Initiative outlined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)." The parties anticipate starting work in 2015. As the data is collected, Signal and Moffitt anticipate presenting their findings at scientific conferences and publishing in high impact medical journals. Samuel D. Riccitelli, President and CEO of Signal Genetics, commented, "We believe Moffitt's unique resources and world-class clinicians combined with Signal's MyPRS® platform have the potential to truly advance the field in multiple myeloma and the precursor conditions that fall within the spectrum of AMG. We expect the studies planned under this agreement will generate compelling data to support our market expansion plans, consistent with our long-term corporate strategy which we have outlined in recent months."