News Article

Bear River Indian Tribe Makes Equity Investment in 20/20 GeneSystems
Date: Nov 06, 2014
Source: Company Data ( click here to go to the source)

Featured firm in this article: 20/20 GeneSystems Inc of Rockville, MD



Loleta California and Rockville Maryland -- November 6, 2014 -- The Bear River Band Indian Tribe has announced an equity investments in 20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. ("20/20"). Bear River is seeking to support the advancement of 20/20's blood test for the early detection of lung cancer (see www.BloodTestforLungCancer.com), a disease with high prevalence among native Americans.

20/20 currently markets in the U.S. a blood test for the early detection of lung cancer. The test is made available to primary care physicians who use it to help detect lung cancer in their patients who are smokers and former smokers. Smoking among American Indians and Alaska Natives at 32% is the highest by far among any racial and ethnic group according to the American Lung Association. As such lung cancer is a problem of epidemic proportions in this community.

"The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria is intrigued by the diagnostic value of the lung cancer test that 2020 Gene Systems has developed from a health care perspective and a business perspective," said Dakota McGinnis, Vice Chair of the Tribal Council. "Investing in 20/20 Gene Systems provides a unique opportunity for Bear River to blend its focus on a health care issue of importance to Tribal Communities with an opportunity for economic development and diversification. The tax credit incentive program with the State of Maryland is also very attractive in terms of mitigating risk. 2020 Gene Systems is a company we are proud to be associated with in the short and long term."

"We appreciate the support of the Bear River tribe and look forward to expanding our relationship with them and other tribes by conducting studies to demonstrate the usefulness of our test in reducing lung cancer mortality among Native Americans," stated Jonathan Cohen, CEO of 20/20.