Predictive Biosciences appointed two vice presidents and expanded its sales force as it prepares for the launch of a bladder cancer test.

James Groves was hired as vice president of lab operations and Mark Smith as vice president of information technology. Groves will help oversee Predictive’s OncoDiagnostic Laboratory, the company’s Cleveland-based commercial division and a recent acquisition. Smith is the former VP of information technology at Worcester, Mass.-based Athena Diagnostics.

The Lexington, Mass.-based cancer diagnostics developer licensed a DNA biomarker for bladder cancer testing in December 2009 and is preparing to launch its first first non-invasive diagnostic assay for the disease.

Predictive has been building up its operations for an expansion into the oncological diagnostic testing market since the beginning of the year. The company added veteran diagnostics industry executive Kim Blickenstaff, president and CEO of insulin pump developer Tandem Diabetes Care Inc., to its board of directors in February. Predictive bought molecular diagnostics firm OncoDiagnostic Laboratory for an undisclosed amount in January, issuing $1.4 million in stock as part of the deal.