Atherotech Diagnostics Lab Adds New Executive VP of Scientific Development and VP of Laboratory Operations

Strategic hires support growth and strengthen clinical lab operations

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atherotech Diagnostics Lab has announced two new executive position hires. Joseph Chimera, Ph.D., has been named executive vice president of scientific development and J. Georges Nitis, Ph.D., M.B.A., has been appointed as vice president of laboratory operations.

“Both Dr. Chimera and Dr. Nitis bring a wealth of talent and industry expertise to our team”

“Both Dr. Chimera and Dr. Nitis bring a wealth of talent and industry expertise to our team,” said Michael Mullen, CEO of Atherotech. “Their scientific leadership enhances Atherotech’s infrastructure and will support our explosive growth and increased demand for our clinical laboratory services.”

As executive vice president of scientific development, Chimera will lead the overall scientific initiatives at Atherotech Diagnostics Lab. Chimera has over 25 years of experience leading profitable growth strategies in the CLIA-certified and contract research laboratory marketplace. His background includes: new product development, negotiating service agreements, market expansion and operation of several types of laboratories, including physician office labs, CLIA reference labs, and occupational and forensic labs.

Chimera has served in various high-profile roles throughout his career, including general manager, laboratory director and senior vice president of business development. Prior to this, he was employed for more than 10 years at LabCorp, where he served as general manager of clinical trials lab division, assistant vice president of molecular diagnostics and national director of molecular diagnostics.

J. Georges Nitis comes to Atherotech with more than 35 years of progressive laboratory experience and expertise in administrative laboratory functions, technical operations, regulatory affairs and quality assurance. Nitis will be responsible for strengthening Atherotech’s infrastructure to support the company’s growth and expansion.

Nitis started his career at Dow Chemical Bio-Science Laboratories and went on to work in progressively increasing areas of responsibility at International Clinical Laboratories, Microbiological Associates Inc., Quest Clinical Labs and Binax Inc. He also co-founded Neorx Corporation, a biotechnology company that developed cancer diagnostic and therapeutic products. Most recently, Nitis served as administrative laboratory director at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, Maine, and Fremont Area Medical Center in Fremont, Neb.

Atherotech’s patented VAP Test identifies a significantly greater number of people at risk for heart disease than the standard cholesterol test, with direct and comprehensive measurements of cholesterol markers associated with heart disease. Atherotech Diagnostics Lab provides physicians with a single source for the VAP Test and more than 50 cardiovascular and metabolic tests. The company provides its unique testing services to physicians, hospitals, clinics and other laboratories throughout the U.S.

For information visit www.Atherotech.com or call 877.901.8510. Atherotech Diagnostics Lab is on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Atherotech and also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Atherotech.

About Atherotech Diagnostics Lab

Atherotech is a CLIA-certified clinical reference laboratory and cardiodiagnostic company focusing on cardiometabolic tests, including the company’s patented VAP Cholesterol Test, which reports the cholesterol content of all lipids, components and subclasses. The VAP Test is the first cholesterol profile to comply with updated National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III recommendations for direct LDL measurement, which is accurate with non-fasting samples. The VAP Test is available through national and regional diagnostic laboratories and is reimbursed by many of the largest private insurers as well as Medicare. For more information, visit www.Atherotech.com.