Genentech appoints pre-eminent scientist

US Biotech company, Genentech has appointed Dr Marc Tessier-Lavigne as senior vice president, research drug discovery in Genentech's Research department.

'Dr Tessier-Lavigne is an international scientific leader who will be a tremendous asset to our research organisation,' said Dr Richard Scheller, executive vice president, research. 'Given his extensive scientific accomplishments, especially in elucidating complex biological processes in mammalian development and regeneration, I am confident that he will make significant contributions to our drug discovery efforts.'

In this newly created position, Tessier-Lavigne will be responsible for managing the portfolio of drug discovery projects within Genentech's research organisation, including those sourced through licensing agreements, and will oversee the departments of Molecular Oncology, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Physiology.

'I am excited to join Genentech, given its deep commitment to creative and innovative research for drug discovery, and I look forward to applying my experience to tackle unmet medical needs,' said Tessier-Lavigne.

Tessier-Lavigne, 43, joins Genentech from Stanford University, where he was the Susan B Ford Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences, as well as a professor of Biological Sciences and a professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. He was also an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which appoints leading biomedical scientists to prestigious research positions based on their potential to make significant contributions to science.

A member of numerous scientific editorial advisory boards, including the Board of Reviewing Editors for Science magazine, Tessier-Lavigne is a frequent lecturer and has authored more than 100 scientific articles. Additionally, he has served as a consultant for a variety of biotechnology companies, most recently as a scientific advisor to Exelixis Inc. and as co-founder of Renovis Inc.

Tessier-Lavigne received a bachelor's degree in physics from McGill University in Montreal, a bachelor's degree in philosophy and physiology from Oxford University, and a doctorate in physiology from University College London. He has earned numerous awards and honours, including being named a Rhodes Scholar, a Fellow of the Royal Society (London), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and most recently, the recipient of the 2003 Robert Dow Neuroscience Award by the Neurological Sciences Institute in June.

'Marc Tessier-Lavigne is a pre-eminent scientist who has made many outstanding scientific contributions throughout his career,' said Nobel Laureate Joseph L. Goldstein, M.D., professor and chairman of molecular genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and chairman, Genentech's scientific resource board. 'He is well-known and well-respected throughout the biomedical community and he will be an excellent addition to Genentech's Research department, both as a scientist and as a leader.'

In recognition of the role of research in Genentech's success, the company will open a 280,000-square-foot expansion to the company's Founder's Research Center later this year. This new addition, together with the existing facility, will be the single largest biotechnology research facility in the world, with more than 500,000 square feet of research space to eventually house more than 700 scientists and research staff.