ALBANY, N.Y., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AMRI (AMRI), a leading global contract research and manufacturing organization, announced today a key addition to the management team at its Singapore location. Saravanakumar Dhakshinamoorthy, Ph.D. joins AMRI's Singapore site as Director of In Vitro Biology, reporting to Takeshi Yura, Ph.D., Senior Director, AMRI Singapore. As the leader of AMRI's biology resources and staff in Singapore, Dr. Dhakshinamoorthy and his team will be working closely with on-site colleagues supporting customer projects as well as in collaboration with AMRI's U.S.-based biology and DMPK teams.

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AMRI's Singapore Research Center provides a full complement of drug discovery services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Capabilities support the many different sciences required in the discovery and advancement of new small molecule medicines, embracing medicinal chemistry, in vitro biology and DMPK, all of which can be provided individually or together to encompass an integrated drug discovery program. The Singapore operation is capable of working on projects self contained or often in concert with AMRI's global discovery services operations in the U.S. and India. Preclinical candidates that are discovered by these efforts may be progressed by access to AMRI's global development services.

"In this newly created role, Dr. Dhakshinamoorthy (SK) brings senior-level in vitro biology expertise, a strong track record of industry experience and additional drug discovery project management experience to the Singapore site," said Dr. Yura. "Previously the Singapore biology group had been functioning as a satellite operation to AMRI's flagship biology operations in Bothell, WA and leadership and oversight of Singapore biology had been handled through Bothell. Clients will now have direct senior level access, independent of the U.S., to help tailor our biology resources to their program and lead and manage the progression of those programs all self-contained within Singapore."

SK comes to AMRI after seven years with Aurigene, a discovery services company in Bangalore, India. He previously worked in Singapore with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. He brings more than 20 years of postgraduate experience in academic and industrial settings to AMRI.

Dr. Bruce Sargent, Senior Vice President, Drug Discovery, AMRI, said, "In vitro biology and DMPK capability has become increasingly important within AMRI's Singapore drug discovery operations, supporting a growing interest in integrated drug discovery. The group has worked closely with U.S.-based biology and DMPK leadership. This new position provides local leadership and experience which we expect to help us build additional business for the Singapore facility."

SK received his Ph.D. in Biotechnology in 1998, from the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, India. His Postdoctoral research was conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

About AMRI

Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) is a global contract research and manufacturing organization offering customers fully integrated drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services. For over 21 years AMRI has demonstrated its adaptability as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have undergone tremendous change in response to multiple challenges. This experience, a track record of success and locations in the United States, Europe and Asia now provides our customers with SMARTSOURCING, a full range of value-added opportunities providing customers informed decision-making, enhanced efficiency and more successful outcomes at all stages of the pipeline. AMRI has also successfully partnered R&D programs and is actively seeking to out-license its remaining programs for further development. For more information, please visit http://www.amriglobal.com.

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AMRI Hires Director of In Vitro Biology in Singapore