PreludeDx – Our Mission

PreludeDx was founded with the goal of providing better decision-making tools to breast cancer patients and physicians. Founded in 2009 with technology licensed from University of California San Francisco, PreludeDx has focused on developing breast cancer tools that will impact a patient’s treatment decision. Our mission is to provide tools that improve patient outcomes in breast cancer and reduce the overall cost burden to the healthcare system.

PreludeDx – Our Values

Patient Focused: We realize that every sample that comes through our laboratory has a patient behind it and it is our job to ensure that we handle each sample with care and provide results back to the patient and physician in a timely manner. PreludeDx exists to take care of the needs of our patients.

Quality First: We will put quality systems and processes first and foremost as we provide the highest quality results to our patients and physicians.

Driving Innovation: PreludeDx will strive to find new innovative tools and processes that assist patients and physicians for the better management of cancer.

Management Team

Daniel Forche
President & CEO

Daniel Forche – President & CEO

Dan serves as President and CEO of PreludeDx, a Fjord Ventures company that developed the DCISion RT test for women diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer.

Dan’s 20-plus years of operational and commercial diagnostic experience includes positions with medical device, lab services, and molecular testing companies. Before joining PreludeDx, he was President of Pathnostics, a full-service cancer diagnostics company providing clinical and molecular pathology testing services throughout the U.S.

Previous positions included General Manager of Abbott Laboratories’ oncology lab company, where he oversaw P&L and designed growth strategies that led to Abbott’s successful sale of PersonalizeDx; Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CombiMatrix Corporation, a national provider of molecular diagnostic services, where Mr. Forche developed and executed key sales and marketing initiatives; and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Netherlands-based Agendia Inc., a genomics company with the first FDA-cleared IVDMIA test (MammaPrint) for breast cancer recurrence, with Dan responsible for opening and building US operations.

Earlier positions included Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Insight Health Corp., a national provider of diagnostics imaging services with annual revenues of $285 MM; various roles, including Vice President of Marketing and Oncology Sales, for US LABS, where Dan was instrumental in strategies that grew revenue from $3 MM in 2000 to more than $75 MM in 2004; Worldwide Marketing Manager for Ventana Medical Systems, a manufacturer and developer of automated immunochemistry systems for cancer testing, where Dan launched the BenchMark system, today’s leader for IHC testing. US LABS was sold to LabCorp for $160 MM in 2005. Ventana was sold to Roche for $3.4 BB in 2008.

Dan began his career in medical diagnostics with Abbott Laboratories. He received a B.S.B.A. in marketing from Central Michigan University College of Business.

Andrew Wade
CFO

Andrew Wade – Chief Financial Officer

Andy brings nearly 20 years of broad corporate finance and accounting experience, including nearly 15 years within the medical device industry. Most recently, Andy was Senior Director Finance and Corporate Controller at Lombard Medical, a publicly-traded medical device company. In addition, Andy has held management positions with a number of life science firms, including Fjord Ventures, Alsius Corporation and Cardiac Science.

Andy began his career with KPMG and holds a B.A. in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Troy Bremer, PHD
CSO

Troy Bremer, PHD – Chief Scientific Officer

Troy is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at PreludeDx and has been an integral part of the company since its inception.

Troy is passionate about improving healthcare through innovation. His research background has involved the application of machine learning, statistical pattern recognition, modeling and biostatistics to molecular biology. He has expertise in the planning, management, analysis and execution of complex research and development programs.

Troy has extensive experience in diagnostic development and previously identified and validated several biomarker panels for disease prognosis and treatment response in oncology leading to a number of publications and various patents. Prior to PreludeDx, Troy worked at Lion Biosciences and Prediction Sciences where he served at Director of Research and Development.

Troy received his Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego.

Edwin C. Hendrick
Chief Commercial Officer

Edwin C. Hendrick – Chief Commercial Officer

Edwin C. Hendrick serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer of the Company. Mr. Hendrick, in his more than 25 years of diagnostic experience, has led the commercial operations in both public and private companies. Mr. Hendrick’s most recent role was serving as Chief Commercial Officer at Biocept, a circulating tumor cell company. Previously, he has served in leadership roles in various executive capacities at Decipher Biosciences, PLUS Diagnostics and USLABS. He also held various sales and marketing leadership positions at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a medical device and reagent business and Abbott Laboratories, in the diagnostic division. Mr. Hendrick received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kentucky in Communication and Advertising.

Andrew Sundberg
Vice President, Global Sales

Andrew Sundberg – Vice President, Global Sales

Andrew joined PreludeDx as the Vice President of Global Sales in November 2016, bringing a breadth of business experience in the molecular genomics and clinical diagnostics industries to the company. Andrew came to PreludeDx from Agendia, Inc., where he held the position of Senior Director of National Accounts, responsible for the collaboration and sales integration for all of Agendia’s genomic profiling cancer assays. Andrew joined Agendia in February 2008 as the Director of Sales to develop, and launch the U.S. strategic plan.

Prior to his tenure with Agendia, Andrew was with Genomic Health, Inc. where he leveraged his medical start-up and business expertise to launch OncotypeDx to the U.S. Market. Previous to Genomic Health, Mr. Sundberg was the National Product Development Manager and Western U.S. Sales Manager with IMPATH, Inc., a diagnostic laboratory services company.

Andrew received a Bachelor Of Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, NY.

Matthew Tate
Vice President, Business Development

Matthew Tate – Vice President, Business Development

Matt Tate has over 18 years of development and commercial experience in the diagnostics market, including novel testing for device and labs services companies. Matt comes to PreludeDx from Pathnostics were he served as Vice President of Business Development responsible for the training, sales strategy, and business partnership models for the anatomic pathology lab services product lines.

Prior to Pathnostics, Matt was the Director of Sales for PersonalizedDx, a division of Abbott Molecular specializing in partnership models empowering the local pathologist to control the read of genetics testing through innovative imaging tools. Matt also served as a Regional Manager for Agendia, leading the sales team responsible for selling the genetic profile Mammaprint for breast cancer recurrence. Earlier positions include, Director of Sales and Marketing for Vassol Inc., an MRI imaging company focused on measuring blood flow to the brain, Marketing Manager at US Laboratories, where he was in charge of IHC and imaging for the diagnosis of Breast Cancer and Lieutenant, Supply Corp, United States Navy.

Matt is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he played Division I football.

David J. Dabbs, MD
Chief of Pathology

David J. Dabbs, MD – Chief of Pathology

David J. Dabbs, MD joined PreludeDx in November 2019 as Chief of Pathology. He leads Prelude’s BREAST Second Opinion Service (BREAST SOS) and consults on challenging cases submitted by clients from across the United States. Dr. Dabbs is a contemporary thought leader in breast pathology. He has published over 200 papers and has several editorial board appointments and responsibility for peer review of pathology journals. He completed his medical degree at Medical College of Ohio, and his residency and fellowship at University of Washington and Affiliated Hospitals. Dr. Dabbs served as Director of Anatomic Pathology, and Chief of Pathology, Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA for over 15 years. Most recently, he was Professor of Pathology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, John A. Burns School of Medicine.

He is certified by the American Board of Pathology for Anatomic Pathology and Cytopathology.

Jess Savala, MD
Medical Director

Jess Savala, MD – Medical Director

Dr. Savala is a practicing pathologist who is board certified in hematopathology, anatomic and clinical pathology. Dr. Savala’s previous experience includes Director of Molecular Pathology for Cynogen (wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories), Laboratory/Medical Director of MDxHealth, Laboratory/Medical Director and Director of Hematopathology at PLUS Diagnostics Inc., Director of Hematopathology for both the Physician Services and Analytical Services divisions of Genzyme Genetics, Laboratory/Medical Director of US LABS, Co-Medical Director and Scientific Director of Oncology of Specialty Laboratories, as well as several years of community pathology practice in California. Dr. Savala obtained his undergraduate degree from Loma Linda University with his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his pathology residency at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, with additional fellowship training in hematopathology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles, CA).

Kristen Apgar
Director, Human Resources and Corporate Administration

Kristen Apgar – Director, Human Resources and Corporate Administration

Kristen Apgar has been with PreludeDx from its inception. She has served within Fjord Ventures since 2006 and is directly involved with the creation and operation of its portfolio companies. Kristen acts as the Director, Human Resources and Corporate Administration for PreludeDx. Prior to joining Fjord Ventures/PreludeDx, Kristen worked at Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, the venture capital division of Johnson & Johnson. In her position, Ms. Apgar assisted with investments in a number of medical device companies. Ms. Apgar worked in the corporate law department of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher before joining Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation.

Jasmin Valverde
Director, Operations and Project Management

Jasmin Valverde – Director, Operations and Project Management

Jasmin Valverde joined PreludeDx in July of 2019 and serves as Director of Operations and Project Management. Jasmin brings a vast background with laboratory experience in Immunohistochemistry (IHC), operations, field service, customer care, operations and sales management. Prior to joining PreludeDx, Jasmin was the Western Regional Sales Manager at Applied Spectral Imaging where she was responsible for promoting ASI at tradeshows and selling Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) scanners for IHC Scoring, i.e. Breast Panel and Cytogenetic Imaging Systems for FISH and Chromosome Analysis. She previously worked at Pathnostics Laboratory where she held various positions including Supervisor of the IHC Department, where she was responsible for managing the daily IHC operations. As the Field Support Manger, she worked closely with the sales representatives and physicians’ offices to in-service and start new accounts throughout the US managing a team of over 20 service techs. She was also involved in project management and key initiatives for the company.

Jasmin received her BS in Chemistry from UC Santa Cruz.

Elaine Luckey
Director, Quality

Elaine Luckey – Director, Quality

Elaine has over 15 years’ experience developing and overseeing programs to ensure high quality standards and regulatory compliance with State and Federal agencies. Prior to joining Prelude in June 2016, Elaine was the Director of Quality at Rosetta Genomics (formerly Abbott Cynogen) for over 3 years. Prior to Abbott, she was the Director of QA and Regulatory Affairs for PathCentral Inc where she implemented a compliance program for the Sales team and was responsible for obtaining the laboratory’s CAP accreditation and New York certification. Prior to PathCentral, Elaine was the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance at Clarient Inc where she implemented Lean training programs for the laboratory scientific personnel. Elaine also has a wealth of experience in setting up Quality Systems for start up Molecular and AP laboratories through her consulting company ELuckey Consulting LLC.

She has an MBA from the University of Redlands and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Loma Linda University. Elaine’s other certifications and licenses include a CLS (ASCP) in California, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) and Quality Systems Regulations Certified Professional (QSRCP).

Board of Directors

Olav Bergheim
Chairman

Olav Bergheim – Chairman

Olav is the Founder and Managing Director of Fjord Ventures LLC, a life sciences accelerator company whose portfolio includes Adagio Medical, Inc.; Allegro Medical, Inc.; Anaxiom Corporation; Kato Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Metronom Health, Inc.; Prelude Corporation; Sonendo, Inc.; Volante Diagnostics, Inc.; and YAP Therapeutics, Inc. Each of these companies was founded by Olav.

Previously, Olav was General Partner of Domain Associates, which he joined in 1995 and was charged with forming and providing active management to new life sciences companies. There he established the Company Creation Initiative that led to the formation of several companies, including VenPro; 3F Therapeutics (acquired by Medtronic); Vessix Vascular (acquired by Boston Scientific); Volcano Therapeutics (acquired by Phillips); and Glaukos Corporation.

Earlier, Olav spent 18 years in general management positions at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, serving as Corporate Group Vice President and also President of Baxter’s Cardiovascular Group (now: Edwards LifeSciences). His prior positions with Baxter included President of Immunotherapy Worldwide, President BioTech Europe, and President of Baxter in Germany and General Manager of the Nordic area.

Hugh Neuharth
Board Member

Hugh Neuharth – Board Member

Mr. Neuharth has been with Fjord Ventures since its inception, serving as Chief Financial Officer to the company and to many of Fjord Ventures’ portfolio companies. Mr. Neuharth has over 25 years experience with life sciences companies in board director, senior operating, finance, and corporate M&A roles in start-ups and multinational enterprises. Mr. Neuharth has also served as CFO to Cianna Medical, Inc (acquired by Merit Medical), Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS) and BioLucent, Inc. (acquired by Hologic, Inc.) Previously, Mr. Neuharth worked with Smith & Nephew plc, a FTSE-100 life sciences company, for 11 years, most recently as Director, Corporate Change Programs and Finance (US equivalent – Senior VP/Regional COO and CFO/Regional Board Director) of Smith & Nephew’s Australasia Region based in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Neuharth began his career with Ernst & Whinney in 1985.

Daniel Forche
President & CEO

Daniel Forche – President & CEO

Dan serves as President and CEO of PreludeDx, a Fjord Ventures company that developed the DCISion RT test for women diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer.

Dan began his career in medical diagnostics with Abbott Laboratories. He received a B.S.B.A. in marketing from Central Michigan University College of Business.