MEDIA RELEASE PR35869
Magid Abou-Gharbia, Ph.D., FRSC Joins LAXAI as Scientific Advisor
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
LAXAI, a Leading Contract Research Organization based in the U.S. and India providing integrated services
across the drug discovery and development spectrum, today announced that Magid Abou-Gharbia, Ph.D., FRSC
has joined the company as its Scientific Advisor.
Naren Mallakunta, CEO of LAXAI, welcomed Magid by saying, "It is a privilege to have Magid Abou-Gharbia as
our Scientific Advisor. His extensive knowledge and experience in the Global Research Pharmaceutical Industry
will guide LAXAI in its endeavor to offer more value based integrated/collaborative research services to our
Biopharmaceutical Clients."
"I am pleased to join LAXAI as its Scientific Advisor. LAXAI with their strong management team and experienced
staff is regarded among the leaders in contract research and outsourcing services," said Professor Abou-Gharbia.
"The Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research at the School of Pharmacy, Temple University is pleased to
enter into a strategic partnership with LAXAI in the areas of Medicinal Chemistry, Biology and
Integrated/Collaborative Research. LAXAI is an ideal partner for biotech and major Pharma to increase
medicinal chemistry capacity and complement internal in-house Drug Discovery resources," said Professor Abou-
Gharbia.
Dr. Abou-Gharbia is the Associate Dean for Research, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of the
Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research (MCDDR) at the School of Pharmacy, Temple University. Prior to
joining Temple University in 2008, Dr. Abou-Gharbia spent 26 years at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals where he was
Senior Vice President and Head of Chemical Screening Sciences. He was responsible for overseeing and directing
the chemistry and screening research efforts of over 500 scientists at four U.S. research facilities and one in
Hyderabad, India in support of drug discovery in neuroscience, inflammation, women's health/bone, oncology and
cardiovascular disease. His research efforts resulted in 100 U.S. patents and over 350 worldwide patents and
contributed to the discovery of several marketed drugs and many compounds currently under clinical evaluation
including two SNRI anti-depressants, Effexor(R) and Pristiq(R), an anticancer rapamycin derivative, Torisel(R), a
broad spectrum antibiotic, Tygacil(R), and a selective estrogen receptor modulator, bazedoxifene. Dr. Abou-
Gharbia received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. After a two year NIH
Postdoctoral Fellowship at Temple University, he joined Wyeth. Dr. Abou-Gharbia will provide expertise and insight
into strategies and medicinal chemistry approaches utilized in the design of novel small molecules CNS
therapeutics. His numerous awards include: Induction to ACS Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame (2008); ACS
Heroes of Chemistry (2008); Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry (2008); Science and Technology Medal
from the R&D Council of New Jersey (2008); selected among the Top 10 Scientists in New Jersey by New Jersey
Business Magazine (2008); American Institute of Chemists (AIC) Chemistry Pioneer Award (2007); Fellow of the
Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC 2006); Researcher of the Year (2006) from Health Care Institute of NJ (HINJ);
Trailblazer Award (2006) from Science Spectrum; Induction into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame (2004);
The Procter Medal (2003); ACS Earle B. Barnes Award (2001); Philadelphia Organic Chemists Club (POCC)
Award (2001); Egyptian Pharmaceutical Society Drug Discovery Award (2000);Named as one of the most Prolific
Inventors of the Decade by US Patent & Trade Mark (1998); ACS-Philadelphia Section Award (1997); Wyeth-
Ayerst Exceptional Achievement Award (1992); and others.
LAXAI (www.laxai.com) provides services in Clinical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Process R&D and
Analytical Services, Strategic Resourcing and Training to the Biopharmaceutical and Agrochemical Companies.
LAXAI offers a unique value proposition to clients in their drug discovery and development initiatives through
innovative global partnership models.
SOURCE: LAXAI
CONTACT: Naren Mallakunta of LAXAI,
+1-732-543-4923,
naren@laxai.com
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