MDS Proteomics appointed two new vice presidents of drug discovery, Gregg Morin and Mark Scheideler. Morin joins MDS Proteomics from Geron Corporation, where he was director of molecular biology and biochemistry. Prior to Geron, he was an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis. Scheideler has served as associate director and head of neurobiology research at GlaxoSmithKline. He has also worked as a principal scientist and program manager for Health Care Discovery at Novo Nordisk Healthcare in Bagsvaerd, Denmark.
J. Craig Venter has stepped down as president of Applera Celera Genomics Group but will remain chairman of Celera’s scientific advisory board. Tony White, chairman and CEO of Applera, will be Celera’s president for the time being. “Our board of directors, Craig, and I all agreed that Celera’s ongoing best interests would be served by making room for additional senior-level management experienced in pharmaceutical discovery and development,” said White in a statement. Venter said he intends to spend more time as chairman of the board of The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR).
Varian promoted Martin O’Donoghue to vice president and general manager of chromatography and analytical supplies. O’Donoghue began his career at Varian in 1990 as a manufacturing chemist for Varian Associates.
Genmab appointed Ernst Schweizer as head of business development. Schweizer was most recently president of Medarex Europe. Previously, he served as deputy director of worldwide business development and licensing for Novartis and chief scientific adviser of business development and licensing at Ciba-Geigy.