Xcellerex

Joseph Zakrzewski has been appointed chief executive officer of Xcellerex, Inc. and a member of the company’s board of directors. Mr. Zakrzewski joins the company after a 20-year career at Eli Lilly and Co. and most recently as chief operating officer of Reliant Pharmaceuticals. He succeeds Mike Masterson as part of a planned transition to the company’s next stage of growth in commercializing its proprietary manufacturing technology for biotherapeutics and vaccines. Mr. Masterson will continue to serve as an advisor and member of the board.

“Joe brings an enormous range of commercial, corporate and business development experience coupled with an in-depth knowledge of biomanufacturing,” said Thomas Monath, M.D., a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and a member of Xcellerex’s board of directors. “He is ideally suited to lead Xcellerex as it expands the commercialization of its proprietary disposable biomanufacturing systems through its contract manufacturing business, as well as its disposable bioreactor products and integrated manufacturing systems.”

“I would like to acknowledge the outstanding contributions Mike has made in building the Xcellerex organization, setting its strategy and strengthening its financial position,” Dr. Monath added. “I am pleased he will remain an active advisor to the company and board member.”

At Reliant Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on cardiovascular products, Mr. Zakrzewski was responsible for the company’s pharmaceutical operations, including supply chain/manufacturing, R&D, business development, IT, quality and compliance. He spent more than 17 years with Lilly and served in a variety of capacities of increasing responsibility in research, manufacturing, finance and corporate business development. His most recent position at Lilly was vice president, corporate business development where he had global responsibility for business development activities.