Spokane CEO makes national list

Lisa Shaffer, of Spokane biotech firm Signature Genomic Laboratories, was selected as the No. 8 woman CEO in a list developed by INC.com.

INC.com developed the list as part of a survey of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. In addition to selecting Shaffer in the CEO list, INC.com also placed Signature Genomic at the 114th spot on that list.

Shaffer co-founded the company in 2003 with Dr. Bassem Bejjani. The company develops microarray technology to diagnose chromosome abnormalities in children.

The tests can be used by doctors to help identify mental retardation and birth defects.

Signature Genomics has offices in north Spokane and employs 76.