10 May Third Wave continues molecular diagnostic focus with new CEO
MADISON – Third Wave Technologies Inc. announced Thursday that its co-founder, Lance Fors, is transitioning to the position of executive chairman in order to focus on the assessment and development of next-generation technologies. In addition, the company announced that John J. Puisis, Third Wave’s president and chief operating officer, will become chief executive officer and assume overall management of the company.
The plan is expected to be completed prior to the company’s annual shareholders meeting June 22, 2004.
“Having succeeded in taking Third Wave from a concept to its current status as a strong public company, I now feel compelled to return to what I love most – identifying breakthrough technologies for the future,” Fors said.
Puisis joined the company in September 2001 as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He was appointed chief operating officer in February 2003 and president in September 2003.
“I strongly believe that molecular diagnostics represents a key ingredient to improving health care and we are dedicated to becoming a leader in this industry,” Puisis said. “The excitement generated from the fruits of the early successes of our transition toward molecular diagnostics is now enhanced by the fact that Lance is committed to driving value further through his knowledge and experience in identifying novel technologies. I believe shareholders will benefit greatly by leveraging our respective talents in the pursuit of key market opportunities.”
Third Wave Technologies is a Madison-based provider of molecular diagnostics for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications.