The MIT Enterprise Forum Appoints Richard Kivel, CEO of TheraGenetics, as Chairman of Global Board of Directors

Business Wire, July 9, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc. announced today that Richard Kivel, a serial entrepreneur who serves as CEO of personalized medicine diagnostics company TheraGenetics, has been appointed the new Chairman of its Global Board of Directors. Mr. Kivel will also hold an ex-officio seat on the MIT Alumni Association Board of Directors. Mr. Kivel takes the reigns from Joe Hadzima, who has served as Chairman for the past four years.

"I've been proud to be associated with MIT in different roles for the past 12 years, and leading the MIT Enterprise Forum Board is the most exciting opportunity yet," said Mr. Kivel. "We have the unique ability among all entrepreneurial support organizations to connect a rich audience of innovators and entrepreneurs with each other and with the unparalleled world-class resources of MIT. It is my goal as Enterprise Forum Chair to further expand our presence and assist our members with the development of successful new ideas and companies."

The MIT Enterprise Forum is a volunteer-driven organization, operated out of the MIT Alumni Association that has been a platform for entrepreneurial networking, inspiration and education since 1978. Open to anyone interested in fostering entrepreneurship, the MIT Enterprise Forum has 24 global chapters producing in excess of 300 annual events, and a worldwide community focused on innovation and the commercialization of technology.

Mr. Kivel is a seasoned life science and technology executive, and in addition to helping launch multiple companies in the life science space, he also served as CEO of MolecularWare, an MIT spin-out and leader in data management, visualization, and database frameworks for genomic and proteomic microarray technologies. Since 2006, he has run TheraGenetics, Ltd., focusing on the development and commercialization of proprietary pharmacogenetic diagnostic tests to guide and improve the treatment of Central Nervous System disorders, raising over $7M (US) in capital, and expanding operations to the US and Europe.

Mr. Kivel has been a judge for the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition for over a decade, and serves as a Lead Catalyst and Mentor for the MIT Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Institute and has provided guidance to numerous student-driven initiatives. Mr. Kivel has been selected as a Mass High Tech All Star, and is a Boston Business Journal "40 Under 40" recipient. He has a bachelor's degree from American International College, received his masters in management from Boston College, and is a graduate of the Entrepreneurs' Organization/MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program.

Outgoing Chairman of the Board Joe Hadzima said, "Entrepreneurship is a lifetime passion for many, including myself. The last four years have been a remarkable transition period for our organization, with growth in the number of chapters, events, volunteers, attendees, and global visibility of the MIT Enterprise Forum and its mission. I look forward to staying involved as Rich expands our footprint and impact even further."

"I am honored to be named chair of this vibrant organization," said Mr. Kivel, a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum Board since 2006. "Knowing the amazing operation that is already in place - the quality of the staff, the Board, and the volunteers - I knew that this would be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Just like in my professional career, I only choose to be involved with the best in class. I'm excited to serve as Chair for the next two years, and assist in raising capital and sponsorship levels to further enhance the MIT Enterprise Forum's leadership position in the global entrepreneurial landscape."

About the MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc.

The MIT Enterprise Forum is the global voice of entrepreneurship. For more than thirty years, the Enterprise Forum has been a platform for entrepreneurial networking, inspiration and education. We are a community of volunteers sharing resources, knowledge and a passion for entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

The MIT Enterprise Forum collaborates with over 200 corporate and education organizations that connect technology entrepreneurs with resources which makes the commercialization of technology faster and easier.

* Operates through 24 official chapters globally and expanding

* Non-profit organization driven by 2000 volunteers

* Community program that is open to all

* Produces 300 world-class networking and educational programs annually to inspire, connect and educate technology business executives

* Goal to build a community, and connect technology entrepreneurs with capital, resources, employees, and industry experts, and to ultimately make the commercialization of technology faster and easier

We are driven to answer the challenge of the imagination and to support the passion and creativity in every entrepreneur. We are changing the world one enterprise at a time.

About TheraGenetics

TheraGenetics is a privately held, personalized-medicine diagnostics company that is developing and commercializing a portfolio of pharmacogenetic diagnostic tests to guide and improve the treatment of CNS disorders, bringing the right medicine to the right patient. TheraGenetics was created as a spin-out of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London. Current investors include Swarraton Partners Ltd., Tudor Ventures, IP Group PLC, and Kinetique Biomedical Seed Fund. For more information, please visit www.theragenetics.com.