Sai Life Sciences, one of India's fastest growing Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMO) announces the appointment of Dr. Mark Bittinger as Vice President & Global Head of Biology. Mark will be based out of the company's new Discovery Biology facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, which provides exploratory biology capabilities to the expanding array of start-up & biotech companies in the region.

Mark, who has received his B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University & his Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is an acknowledged leader in the area of oncology drug discovery & translational science, and has over 25 years of experience across immune-oncology, epigenetic, and tumor cell metabolism. With over 20 research publications to his credit, he has a stellar track record in research, innovation & cross-functional leadership in organizations such as Merck Research Labs, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Agios Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research.

Located in the heart of the Cambridge/Boston biotech ecosystem, Sai's new 8,500 square feet lab in Kendall

Mark is an acknowledged leader in the area of oncology drug discovery & translational science

Square creates opportunities for biotechs to have face-to-face collaboration with Sai scientists, and to accelerate the pace of their externalized research by reducing cycle-times. The lab provides exploratory biology capabilities using state-of-the-art platforms & technologies such as high-content microscopy, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, flow cytometry/sorting, and high-throughput patch-clamp platforms to address unique client needs. These activities include new target & biomarker identification and/or validation & establishing in vitro and cell-based assays for established targets.

The Cambridge lab serves as a vital bridge, enabling seamless integration with rest of the company's service offerings across UK and India, spanning the drug discovery & development continuum including medicinal chemistry, DMPK & toxicology, process chemistry & analytical development, and commercial scale manufacturing.

Sai Life Sciences is currently in the midst of an organization-wide initiative, Sai Nxt that is aimed at transforming the company into a new generation CDMO. With investments of over $ 150 million between 2019 and 2023, the focus is on three key areas – people & culture, processes & automation, infrastructure & scientific capabilities.