FRESNO, Calif. — Cypress Systems, Inc, a Fresno CA based biotechnology company, announced that it has hired Mark Whitacre, Ph.D. Dr. Whitacre joined the executive management team effective January 1, 2007 as COO & President, Technology and Business Development, following the opening of a new office in Pensacola, Florida in December, 2006.
The company’s CEO & President, Paul A. Willis, states that “By hiring Dr. Whitacre, we have taken a significant step in the effort to expand the selenium based cancer prevention research, develop next generation products, and seek new technologies to expand our existing product offerings. Dr. Whitacre’s research and top management business experience fully aligns with the future direction of the company and the continued expansion into fermentation for biotechnology and life science applications.”
In an effort to provide greater detail related to Mark Whitacre’s extensive education, research accomplishments, management experience, professional career, and his current work with Cypress, the company has recently launched a new website at www.markwhitacre.com. Mark E. Whitacre’s extensive education includes B.S. and Master’s degrees from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University where Mark’s Ph.D. thesis adviser was a renowned selenium researcher, Dr. G.F. Combs, Jr. Mark continued his studies after Cornell earning multiple advanced degrees which are listed on the new website.
As stated by Paul A. Willis, “Dr. Whitacre’s earlier research at Cornell University related to the biochemical role of selenium in the prevention of diseases combined with his extensive management experience in the area of biotechnology and microbial fermentation, makes him an outstanding addition to our management team and strengthens our efforts to grow the company’s technology and business base. The new website provides additional information specifically related to Mark’s background and it also builds onto our existing website at cypsystems.com.”
The company’s flagship branded ingredient, SelenoExcell High Selenium Yeast, has been selected as the sole intervention agent in a series of cancer prevention and health related trials. SelenoExcell is supported by a Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) with the Cancer Prevention Division of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Recently, SelenoExcell received independent GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) evaluation to be used in several food categories. The evaluation was based on scientific procedures and the safety assessment criteria established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company believes that Dr. Whitacre will bring extensive science and management experience to these key human nutrition research and market areas, as well as it’s complete line of yeast-based animal nutrition products.
Dr. Whitacre is best known publicly for his role as the whistleblower in the price fixing case involving the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company. Mark was a former President of the ADM BioProducts Division. The ADM case is well documented in hundreds of articles and was the subject of two books. One of the authors, James B. Lieber, a lawyer who wrote the book titled, “Rats in the Grain,” has been very active – along with Paul Willis and Dean Paisley (former FBI Supervisor over the ADM case) – in a serious attempt to obtain Presidential Clemency or a Pardon for Dr. Whitacre. Furthermore, the numerous supporters of Mark Whitacre are still very active today with this endeavor.
“We are fully aware of the details of this case and Dr. Whitacre’s specific involvement. We consider ourselves to be among a growing list of supporters, which include current and former FBI agents, former U.S. and Canadian prosecutors, several prominent law firms, and numerous other professionals. We desire, like others, to move forward from this point and build a positive contribution in several health-related research areas. Mark Whitacre will be a valued asset in that ongoing effort,” said Paul A. Willis.
More information: http://www.cypsystems.com .
[tags]Cypress Systems Inc, Fresno biotechnology company, Mark Whitacre PhD, SelenoExcell High Selenium Yeast[/tags]
