Health Network Laboratories of Hanover Township, Lehigh County is expanding its genetic testing services through the acquisition of Connective Tissue Gene Test LLC of Allentown.
Dr. Jeff Wisotzkey, clinical lab director and scientific officer for Health Network Laboratories, said the acquisition adds to the company’s programs in cancer, infectious disease, perinatal disease and pharmacogenomics.
“There are many synergies between the genetic tests currently available at HNL and new genetic testing that will now be made available through” Connective Tissue Gene Test, he said.
Connective Tissue Gene Test, or CTGT, was founded in 2004 by Drs. James Hyland and Leena Ala-Kokko. It uses proprietary analytic methods, a mutation database and technology to provide more than 3,300 unique tests covering over 1,000 genes.
HNL will retain CTGT’s facility in Allentown, and all CTGT employees have been offered permanent positions with HNL. The company also is recruiting additional lab scientists to accommodate the anticipated expansion of clinical genomics services and patient volumes.
Wisotzkey said HNL is weighing plans to add further testing facilities as part of its long-term strategic planning process.
Currently, HNL generates more than 60 million lab test results for approximately 3 million patients and 12,000 health care providers.
