VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Med BioGene Inc. (TSX Venture: MBI), a life science company focused on the development and commercialization of genomic-based diagnostic tests for cancer and cardiovascular disease, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vineet Bansal as Director, Product Launch and Marketing, and Debbie Corazzelli as Senior Advisor, Diagnostics Commercialization.

Med BioGene has made significant progress in 2008 and is preparing to commercialize LungExpress Dx™ in the United States in mid 2009.  Mr. Bansal and Ms. Corazelli will be working closely with Dr. Melanie Mahtani, MBI’s Executive Advisor, Commercial Development to implement the product launch.  Mr. Bansal and Ms. Corazelli, both previously with XDx, Inc. (Brisbane, California; www.xdx.com), were integral to the successful launch, marketing and adoption of AlloMap®, XDx’s first gene expression-based test to help doctors manage the care of stable heart transplant recipients.  Within the first two years of the launch of AlloMap®, sales revenue increased 1200% and more than 50% of all U.S. heart transplant centres were using the test. 

“We are pleased to welcome Vineet and Debbie to the team.  Their direct experience in commercializing important molecular diagnostics will be very valuable to Med BioGene as we launch LungExpress Dx™ in the United States,” said Dr. Mahtani.

“This is an important time for the company as we execute upon our commercial strategy for a successful product introduction and prepare to drive adoption and reimbursement of this important test,” commented Erinn Broshko, Chief Executive Officer of MBI.

Mr. Bansal has over 12 years of experience developing and introducing products to the medical device industry and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters of Science from Rutgers University.  Ms. Corazelli has over 25 years of experience commercializing laboratory diagnostic tests and holds a Masters of Business of Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.

LungExpress Dx™ is a gene expression-based test that provides valuable information regarding each patient’s prognosis for survival to more effectively guide treatment and improve the selection of patients for chemotherapy following surgical removal of their cancerous tumours. 
“LungExpress Dx™ has the potential to make an immediate impact on patient care by providing a more significant understanding of each patient’s cancer, thus resulting in better-informed, more appropriate treatment decisions.  The commercialization of these technologies will move us much closer to the ultimate goal of personalized medicine.  I’m very pleased to be joining the Med BioGene team at such an exciting time,” stated Mr. Bansal.

Ms. Corazzelli noted “Med BioGene is in a strong position to capitalize upon the commercialization of the world’s first gene expression-based prognostic test for lung cancer.  $9.6 billion annually is spent in the United States alone in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and the healthcare industry is actively seeking new prognostic tests that can tailor treatment more effectively to each patient’s genetic profile.”

About Med BioGene

MBI is a life science company focused on the development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical laboratory diagnostic and prognostic tests for cancer and cardiovascular disease.  MBI develops these tests by identifying the genes, known as "biomarkers," which indicate the presence of disease.  The development of these tests is an important milestone in personalized medicine and will assist in replacing the conventional and ineffective “one drug fits all” approach to disease management.

MBI’s lead products are LungExpress Dx™, a gene expression-based prognostic test for lung cancer, and LymphExpress Dx™, a gene expression-based diagnostic and prognostic test for lymphoma. 

For corporate information, please contact:

Erinn B. Broshko
Chief Executive Officer
(604) 306-4969
ebroshko@medbiogene.com
www.medbiogene.com

For investor relations information, please contact:

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