Intrexon, a provider of synthetic biology, has appointed Geno Germano to the new role of president of Intrexon effective June 1, reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randal J. Kirk. As president, Germano will help lead Intrexon's management team and commercialization efforts utilizing the company's technology platform for biologically-based solutions across a broad range of industries. Each of Intrexon's five sectors and the office of the chief operating officer will report to Germano. 

Randal J. Kirk, Intrexon's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "As the company has scaled operationally—and proven its ability to do so, contributing value in numerous product classes across multiple industries—it has become apparent to our board of directors that we also need top-flight organizational leadership in order to fulfill our full promise."

Kirk continued, "In the role of president, Geno will assume primary responsibilities in overseeing our sectors—Health, Food, Energy, Consumer and Environment—with each, in addition to the office of the chief operating officer, reporting directly to him. Over time, our goal is to broaden Geno's role eventually succeeding me as CEO, at which time I would become executive chairman, a position that will remain a fulltime commitment yet allow me to focus on the broader causes that drive our opportunities."

Germano brings to Intrexon over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a consistent track record of improving operating performance and increasing shareholder value across a broad range of leadership roles in therapeutic categories and global markets at Pfizer, Wyeth and Johnson & Johnson. Most recently as Group President of Pfizer's Global Innovative Pharma Business, he led a growing global $14 billion business with market-leading medicines and a broad portfolio of late-stage development candidates in several therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, metabolic disease, neuroscience, inflammation, immunology and rare diseases. Germano was also co-chair of the Portfolio Strategy and Investment Committee focused on maximizing the return on research and development investment across the Pfizer portfolio. Previously, Germano served as president and general manager of Pfizer's Specialty Care and Oncology business units where he led commercial, medical, and post proof-of-concept pipeline strategy and development across global markets, as well as held responsibility for driving P&L growth and pipeline value through disciplined portfolio management. In addition, while in this role he directed the integration of Wyeth and Pfizer Specialty Care and Vaccines Businesses and developed top talent within the organization focusing on the leadership team. 

Prior to joining Pfizer, Germano held numerous executive and leadership roles at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals including president of Wyeth U.S., where he was responsible for delivery of operational results across four business units, as well as president of its Global Pharmaceutical and Women's Healthcare Business. He is a member of the Group of Fifty (G50) and serves on the Board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, as well as on the Advisory Board of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association and as a Trustee of the Albany College of Pharmacy.