Synthetic Genomics Inc. Hires Industry Leader George E. Stagnitti to Head Food and Nutritional Products Development Program

LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), a privately held company commercializing and developing genomic-driven solutions to solve a wide range of global challenges, today announced they have hired George E. Stagnitti as Vice President for Nutritional Products. Stagnitti is a proven leader with experience in developing sophisticated research programs and translating these into high value food and nutritional products for humans and animals. At SGI he will be responsible for leading and directing all aspects of the company's product and commercial development efforts in the food and nutritional products program.

"We formed SGI with the belief that our powerful and proprietary technologies could be leveraged to develop products in a variety of industries," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., SGI CEO and founder. "SGI is poised to lead the way in creating unique food products and new systems for sustainably producing nutritional ingredients to help feed a growing world population. We have made progress in our internal food research and development program over the last 12 to 24 months and are eager now to tap into George's vast experience and expertise to take this program to the next level," said Dr. Venter.

Stagnitti is an innovative leader in the food industry. Most recently he has been an advisor to Efficas Medical Foods and Nutrition, LLC and Stolle Milk Biologics, Inc. where he led day to day strategic research and development for a variety of human, animal and milk protein nutritional products. At both companies he was also a key business development leader providing guidance to negotiate and structure multiple partnerships, acquisition, licensing and financing agreements. Prior to his consulting work Stagnitti was a Vice President at Efficas, Inc.

Since he began his career in 1982, Stagnitti has held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership at some of the largest and most important food ingredient, flavor and nutritional product companies. Highlights include: Director, Food and Beverage Product Development and Applications at OmegaTech, Inc. from 2000 to 2002, and then with Martek Biosciences Corporation from 2002 until 2004 following the acquisition of OmegaTech, Inc. by Martek.; Director of Strategic Business Unit Flavors for North America at Danisco Cultor Ingredients from 1999-2000; Director, CFS Technical Service at Cultor Food Science from 1996 to 1999; Director, Food Applications, Technical Service at Pfizer Inc. Food Science Group from 1991 to 1996.

Stagnitti received a Bachelor's degree in Food Science from University of Maryland, College Park in 1982, and a Master of Arts in Science/Chemistry from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1990.  

About Synthetic Genomics Inc.

SGI, a privately held company founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address a wide range of global challenges. The company is focused on several key research and business programs including: developing algae biofuels in alliance with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company, microbial-enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and conversion through an agreement with BP, new and improved food and nutritional products, and clean water technologies. SGI is also involved in synthetically derived vaccine development through Synthetic Genomic Vaccines Inc. (SGVI), a company co-founded with the J. Craig Venter Institute; and to developing sustainable crops and agricultural products through Agradis Inc., a company co-founded with Plenus S.A. de C.V. For more information go to: www.syntheticgenomics.com.

SGI Media Contact:

Heather Kowalski, [email protected]; 858-361-0466

SOURCE Synthetic Genomics Inc.