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People in the News: New Appointments at Pacific Biosciences, Lexogen, Tangen Biosciences, More

Pacific Biosciences: Christian Henry, Michael Hunkapiller, John Milligan, Ben Gong

Pacific Biosciences has appointed Christian Henry as president and CEO effective Sept. 14, 2020. Henry has served on the board of directors since 2018, including as chairman since March 2020.

John Milligan, a board member since 2013, has been appointed to succeed Henry as chairman, also effective Sept. 14.

As previously announced, Michael Hunkapiller will retire from an active operating role at the end of the year. Effective Sept. 14, Hunkapiller will assume the position of senior fellow focused on technology development until his retirement. Hunkapiller will also continue to serve on the company's board.

In addition, Pacific Biosciences has named Ben Gong as interim CFO to succeed Susan Barnes, who's retirement from the position was previously announced.


Lexogen: Stéphane Barges, Alexander Seitz

Sequencing firm Lexogen has appointed Stéphane Barges as CEO, effective Sept. 1.

Barges comes to Lexogen from Qiagen, where he was VP of molecular diagnostics. He has 20 years of experience in the life science and clinical diagnostics industry, including management positions at Life Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, and Tecan. He holds a doctorate in genetics and molecular biology from the University of Geneva and an MBA from HEC Geneva.

Barges will succeed Lexogen founder Alexander Seitz, who will take on the role of chief innnovation officer.


Tangen Biosciences: Vance Kershner, Alan Levin

Tangen Biosciences has appointed Vance Kershner and Alan Levin to its board of directors in conjunction with a $12.2 million Series B preferred stock financing. Kershner is founder, president, and CEO of LabWare, which develops and implements software for automating laboratory operations. Levin previously served as president and CEO of drugstore chain Happy Harry's, which merged with the Walgreen Company in 2006. Levin also previously served as the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office.


For additional recent items on executive appointments and promotions in the omics and molecular diagnostics industries, please see the People in the News page on our website.