AMRI has named Gergely Makara as director of chemistry for European operations. Dr Makara will report to Philip Small who was promoted from director of chemistry to managing director of AMRI's European operations earlier in the year.
As director of chemistry, Makara has responsibility for all European chemistry products and services including custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, analytical services, library design and production.
Makara brings over 10 years of industrial experience focused on the development of compound libraries and lead optimisation at leading drug discovery companies in the US.
"Dr Makara brings critical scientific and leadership experience to our European operations. His proven ability to form and lead innovative teams is particularly relevant in helping us to execute against our plan to expand services and operations offered to customers worldwide, and more specifically, to further relationships within the European marketplace," said European operations managing director Philip Small PhD
AMRI chairman, president and ceo Thomas D'Ambra said: "The addition of Dr. Makara further demonstrates AMRI's commitment to the restructuring plan initiated in May to provide a strong foundation for future expansion through realignment of customer offerings, with an emphasis on the expansion of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery services in Europe."
Steven Hagen role as vice president of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing has been extended to include additional responsibilities in the US and India.
Hagen will report to AMRI chairman, president and ceo Thomas D'Ambra. He will now assume leadership for AMRI's chemical development, small scale cGMP manufacturing, and large scale commercial manufacturing business components, including operations in Albany/Rensselaer and Syracuse, New York; Hyderabad, India. He will also handle AMRI's large scale manufacturing operations in Rensselaer, New York and Aurangabad, India. Previously, Hagen responsibilities covered analytical chemistry, quality assurance and regulatory affairs for all AMRI locations.
Separately, Luckner G. Ulysse, Jr., Ph.D. has been promoted to vice president, chemical development from senior director, chemical development and small-scale cGMP, reporting to Dr Hagen. In addition to managing the company's small-scale cGMP and chemical development operations including facilities in Albany/Rensselaer and Syracuse, New York, Ulysse will also integrate international development operations under his leadership, including AMRI operations in Hyderabad, India.
The company has appointed a new director of development and Pharmacology. Nicholas Moore, who will report to Bruce Sargent, vice president of discovery research and development, will be responsible for AMRI's internal research and development portfolio, including the progression of discovery phase programs and the guidance of emerging candidates toward candidate and clinical goals.
He brings over 27 years of industrial experience in experimental pharmacology and drug development from early discovery through late clinical phases.
"Dr Moore's skills and experience strengthen our r&d capabilities, helping us build on our existing platform which has already delivered an AMRI oncology compound into Phase I, and in collaboration with BMS, the nomination of two clinical candidates, one of which is currently enrolled into Phase I studies by BMS," said Dr Sargent.