Distinguished Scientist H. Mario Geysen Joins SRI International to Lead Combinatorial Sciences and Metabolic Diseases Research Programs

MENLO PARK, Calif.,  Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced today that H. Mario Geysen, Ph.D., has joined SRI International's Center for Advanced Drug Research (CADRE) in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. In his new role, Dr. Geysen will expand SRI's research capabilities into diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis and will establish programs to develop novel molecules that control hormonal regulation in metabolic diseases.

Dr. Geysen is a pioneer in the field of combinatorial chemistry, which is often described as the intersection of chemistry, robotics, instrumentation, computer science, and engineering. It is recognized that combinatorial chemistry has dramatically altered and accelerated the pace of pharmaceutical discovery and development. Several new therapies are currently under development that will help provide needed medicines to patients.

"Mario Geysen is a distinguished scientist.  His invaluable contributions towards the development of innovative technologies have led to novel therapies," said Krishna Kodukula, Ph.D., CADRE executive director. Walter H. Moos, Ph.D., vice president of SRI Biosciences, added, "Having had the utmost respect for Mario ever since we first met in the late 1980s, I am very pleased to welcome him to SRI, and look forward to the leadership he will provide to our researchers addressing complex drug discovery challenges."

Prior to joining SRI, Dr. Geysen was the Alfred Burger Professor of Chemistry at the University of Virginia (now Emeritus). Previous to that, he was a Distinguished Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Geysen's career includes experience in government, industry, and academia. He has founded several successful biotechnology firms, including Mimotopes, and has developed many innovative technologies for pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Dr. Geysen has received numerous awards in the U.S. and internationally and has more than 125 publications and patents. He holds advanced degrees in chemistry and microbiology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and in chemical engineering from University College, London (U.K.).

About SRI's Center for Advanced Drug Research (CADRE)

SRI established the Center for Advanced Drug Research (CADRE) to improve the productivity of the pharmaceutical industry, help our nation respond to biothreats, and develop life-saving treatments for rare and neglected diseases. CADRE's mission is to create new therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious and other diseases and for biodefense. CADRE combines and partners with SRI's well-established expertise in drug discovery, computational biology, and preclinical development with a new proteomics laboratory to develop these solutions.

About SRI's Biosciences Division

SRI's Biosciences division carries out basic research, drug discovery, and drug development, and provides contract (CRO) services. SRI has all of the resources necessary to take R&D from "Idea to IND"®—from initial discovery to the start of human clinical trials—and specializes in cancer, immunology and inflammation, infectious disease, and neuroscience. SRI's product pipeline has yielded marketed drugs, therapeutics currently in clinical trials, and additional programs in earlier stages. In its CRO business, SRI has helped government and commercial clients and partners advance many drugs into patient testing. SRI is also working to create the next generation of technologies in areas such as diagnostics, drug delivery, medical devices, and systems biology.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2009, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $470 million. Sarnoff Corporation, a leader in vision, video, and semiconductor innovations, will be fully integrated into SRI effective January 1, 2011.

SOURCE SRI International