EXACT Sciences Corporation (EXACT Sciences), an in vitro diagnostics company, has appointed James P. Connelly and Katherine S. Napier to its board. Connelly brings more than 25 years experience providing strategic business and legal advice to large health care systems, medical group practices, national and regional laboratories, and emerging biotechnology and life sciences companies to the Exact Sciences. Napier is a 20-year veteran of Procter & Gamble (1979 to 2002).

Connelly is a partner in the Foley & Lardner LLP law firm, where he has served as founding chairman of its Health Law Practice. He was a director of Third Wave Technologies Inc. from 2005 until its acquisition by Hologic Inc. in 2008. Mr. Connelly earned his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Law Review.

She rose from assistant brand manager to vice president and general manager of the company’s North American pharmaceutical business. Napier also worked as senior vice president of marketing at McDonald’s Corp., where she led the company’s reinvigoration of its business with women and families. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics and studio fine arts from Georgetown University, and earned a master of business administration degree in marketing and finance from Xavier University. Napier serves on the board of directors of the Alberto Culver Co., Catholic Health Care Partners, Xavier University, and the board of visitors of Wake Forest University Calloway School of Business. She was a director of Mentor Corp. before its acquisition earlier this year by Johnson & Johnson and of Third Wave Technologies Inc. until its acquisition by Hologic Inc. in 2008.

“We are delighted to welcome Jim and Kay to Exact’s board of directors,” said Kevin T. Conroy, president and chief executive of EXACT Sciences. “Both have impressive sets of experience in their own right. The combination of Jim’s and Kay’s strategy, financing, technology and marketing backgrounds, particularly in the molecular diagnostics market, are a powerful addition to our board at this important time in the company’s history.”

“I am delighted to have served on Exact Sciences’ board, a company in which I have been a substantial shareholder for many years and was interested in helping put in the right direction,” Singer said. “As a shareholder, I am delighted that we were able to hire Kevin Conroy and Maneesh Arora to lead the company. I am also thrilled we have been able to attract the high-quality board members who have worked with Kevin and Maneesh and deeply understand the intricacies of the molecular diagnostics field.”

“We are grateful to Michael for his very wise counsel during his tenure on our board,” said Patrick J. Zenner, chairman of the board of EXACT Sciences. “Michael brought a unique, incisive perspective to the company during a critical time. He can take great pride in his contributions to Exact’s substantial accomplishments during his tenure as a director.”