Thursday, September 4, 2008

Synageva BioPharma moves, names new CEO

By Mass High Tech Staff

Biopharmaceuticals firm Synageva BioPharma Corp. has opened new headquarters in Waltham and named Sanj K. Patel as president and CEO of the company.

Synageva, originally founded in the Atlanta area as Avigenics, makes biopharmaceutical products for commercialization relating to oncology, genetic diseases and autoimmune diseases. The company continues to use its Atlanta-area office for research and production.

Patel joins Synageva following nine years at Genzyme Corp., where he most recently served as head of U.S. sales, marketing and commercial operations for Genzyme Therapeutics. In addition, he held clinical research and commercial development positions with Burroughs, Wellcome, Hoescht Marion Rousel and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Patel earned his Ph.D. in clinical pharmacology from King’s College and the Wellcome Foundation and his bachelo’s degree in pure and applied biotechnology from South Bank University in London.