NEW YORK, April 25 – Dennis Harris, formerly Amersham Pharmacia Biotech’s North American vice president of research & development, has taken a newly created position as senior vice president of R&D at microfluidics-maker Aclara Biosciences, Aclara said Wednesday.
"Aclara is a unique company, with its combination of leading edge microfluidic technologies and novel chemistries,” Harris said in a statement. “I was attracted to this position both by the breadth of technologies and by the quality and energy of the people.”
During his 19 years at AP Biotech, Harris oversaw the development of the MegaBace DNA sequencer and associated reagents, as well as numerous other instrument and reagent systems for life science research. Most recently, Harris oversaw AP Biotech’s global genomics strategy and its 250-person R&D organization in North America.
"We are very pleased to expand our senior management team with someone of Dennis' stature," said Joseph Limber, CEO of Aclara. "He brings to Aclara an outstanding record of developing and commercializing advanced tools for life science research."
Harris is the second high-level AP Biotech executive this year to leave the company for a position in a emerging genomics firm. In January, AP Biotech North America President Jack Ball left the company to take a position as senior vice president and general manager of Orchid Biosciences’ life sciences group.
Aclara was not immediately available for comment.