Response Genetics, Inc. Announces Contracts With Two Additional Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Response Genetics, Inc. RGDX, a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient's response to cancer therapy, today announced that it has signed agreements with two new Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans.

Response Genetics' new Blue Cross Blue Shield contracts are with:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

These partnerships mark another leap forward in Response Genetics' growing managed care contracting program. With these additional agreements, Response Genetics is now in-network with a total of eight Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans. Among Response Genetics' other Blue Cross Blue Shield contracts are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Shield of California and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia).

Response Genetics' molecular testing primarily focuses on patients suffering from lung, colon, gastric and melanoma cancers. Response Genetics' menu of genomic assays gives treating physicians actionable information on a patient's tumor and which course of therapy will work best for that patient. Response Genetics' participation with these Blues plans should improve plan members' access to individually-tailored medicine.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the "Company") is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company's principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company's headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.responsegenetics.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com), a not-for-profit organization with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today as a health company: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska ("BCBSNE") is a community-based, member-owned health insurance company serving nearly 700,000 people. Since 1939, BCBSNE has been committed to protecting Nebraska families and delivering the health and wellness solutions Nebraskans value most. Recent awards include: Platinum Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Councils of America and Best Places to Work in Omaha. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX® products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as "project," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.

These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, including, without limitation, actual sales results, if any, or the application of funds, may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.