GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OpGen, Inc., a whole-genome analysis company developing and commercializing a complete suite of break-through products and services based on its proprietary Whole Genome Mapping technology, announced today the appointment of Vadim Sapiro as chief information officer. In addition, the company announced the promotion and appointments of several key members of the executive committee. The organizational changes have been made to strengthen the management team and accelerate OpGen’s development and commercialization strategy. The company’s products enable rapid, accurate, high resolution whole genome analysis of microbes as well as more cost effective and accurate sequence assembly and finishing of human, animal, plant and microbial genomes.
“Vadim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in information management and analysis to OpGen and will be focused on accelerating the commercialization of our portfolio of applications and tools for the sequence assembly, finishing and analysis markets,” said Doug White, chief executive officer of OpGen. “With the recent launch of our human, animal and plant sequencing applications in addition to our microbial whole genome mapping products, we will be expanding our capabilities to include web and cloud enabled analysis tools and databases. The recent management team appointments and promotions will positively position the company for commercial success and its next phase of growth.”
Mr. Sapiro joins OpGen’s management team as chief information officer and will be responsible for leading the development of OpGen’s bioinformatics applications, software, databases and information technology operations. Mr. Sapiro joins OpGen from SAIC-Frederick where he was senior vice president overseeing the Information Systems Program for the National Cancer Institute at Frederick with responsibility for information technology, scientific computing and bioinformatics. Among Mr. Sapiro’s projects were technical program management and operations for the cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG™), the cancer Human Biobank (caHUB) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Prior to SAIC, Mr. Sapiro was vice president for information technology with the J. Craig Venter Institute. Mr. Sapiro is active in the regional and national technology and research communities, having served on many life sciences and biotech focused advisory boards and review committees. Mr. Sapiro holds a B.S. in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland.
In addition to the hiring of Mr. Sapiro, the company announced the promotion of Richard Moore, Ph.D., M.D., to chief scientific officer. In his new role, Dr. Moore will be responsible for leading the R&D organization and scientific collaborations with the genetics research, public health and clinical research communities. He joined OpGen as vice president of diagnostic systems in October 2008. Dr. Moore obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in cellular immunology from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a B.S. in chemical and nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Nick Stiso, Ph.D., was named vice president of manufacturing operations and is responsible for all manufacturing operations of OpGen’s Argus Whole Genome Mapping System, consumables and reagents kits. He brings more than 25 years of experience to OpGen with a strong track record in the development and management of successful manufacturing and support operations for life science systems and IVD products. Prior to joining OpGen, Dr. Stiso held executive level positions in development and manufacturing operations at Biosite Diagnostics, Accumetrics, Syva Co., GeneOhm Sciences and Miles Laboratories. Dr. Stiso earned a B.S. in chemistry from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Michigan State University.
Judy Macemon was named vice president of marketing and is responsible for OpGen’s product portfolio management commercial strategies and tactics. Ms. Macemon brings 30 years of experience with a successful track record of leading commercial strategy development, building high performance marketing teams and global product launches in both the life science and clinical diagnostics markets. Before joining OpGen, Ms. Macemon was vice president of marketing at Helixis, Inc. (now Illumina). Prior to Helixis, she held senior marketing roles at Life Technologies, Stratagene (now Agilent), MicroProbe and Becton Dickinson. Ms. Macemon has a B.S. in medical technology from Louisiana State University, M.S. in clinical microbiology from Texas Women’s University and M.B.A. from San Diego State University.
About OpGen, Inc.
OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company’s Argus® Whole Genome Mapping System, GenomeBuilder® and MapIt® Services provide high resolution, whole genome maps for sequence assembly and finishing, strain typing and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. OpGen’s powerful technology dramatically improves the quality of data and time-to results by providing sequence information from single DNA molecules more rapidly and less expensively than previously possible. The company is dedicated to positively influencing individual healthcare outcomes, advancing scientific research and enhancing public health by delivering precise, actionable information and results to customers in the life science and healthcare communities. OpGen’s customers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.