PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Infinity BiologiX LLC a leading next-generation central laboratory providing sample collection and processing, storage, analytical services, and scientific and technical support, has announced new clinical and scientific leadership, naming Dr. Shareef Nahas as its new Vice President of Global Laboratory Operations and Clinical Services and interim Chief Scientific Officer and Dr. Sameer Kalghatgi as Senior Director, Laboratory Operations.

In his role, Dr. Nahas will lead IBX’s laboratory team. He will be responsible for all aspects of production, workflows, sample collection, and quality assurance of the company’s current assays, while also partnering with the R&D team to oversee the validation of new tests. Dr. Nahas joins IBX at a time when the company has processed more than 5 million of its COVID-19 saliva test, which was the first saliva-based test to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization. With the recent opening of the company’s Minneapolis Lab and an additional lab opening just last month in New Jersey, the company now can process 160,000 tests daily.

“It’s an honor to join the IBX team and continue IBX’s great work, all backed by impeccable science and a sincere drive to improve human health,” Dr. Nahas commented. He continued, “I have admired IBX’s impact and leadership and the company’s vision to understand the genetic causes of diseases and then, discover their treatment and cures. I look forward to leading IBX’s best-in-class laboratory operations and clinical services and working towards IBX’s vision daily.”

Dr. Nahas was previously with Rady Children’s Institute Genomic Medicine in San Diego, CA where he served as Senior Director of Operations. Before that, he held a number of senior laboratory roles at Genoptix (Novartis), and Ambry Genetics. Dr. Nahas received his Ph.D. in Molecular Toxicology from UCLA.

Reporting to Dr. Nahas will be Dr. Kalghatgi, Senior Director, Laboratory Operations. Dr. Kalghatgi joins IBX with deep extensive experience directing the scientific and technical operations of complex, high throughput laboratories. His rich experience designing and successfully executing intricate scientific projects will be significant as IBX develops new assays and expands its commercial services. Previously, Dr. Kalghatgi was the Director of Laboratory Operations at Coriell Institute for Medical Research.

Dr. Nahas will be reporting to Robin Grimwood, IBX President and interim CEO following the recent passing of the company’s CEO/CSO, Dr. Andrew Brooks. Grimwood, who will continue to serve as President, has assumed Dr. Brooks’s CEO responsibilities on an interim basis and Dr. Nahas has assumed Dr. Brooks’s CSO responsibilities on an interim basis.

Grimwood commented, “We are thrilled to have someone with Dr. Nahas’s deep experience in managing clinical operations and incredible genomic expertise to lead the IBX clinical team. Both his and Dr. Kalghatgi’s rich understanding of what is necessary to run a successful clinical laboratory will be critical as we continue to scale our current testing, open new labs, and support the growing demand for biomaterial and vaccine storage through our Vaccine Storage Program. ” He continued, “The recent passing of Andy was a massive shock to both IBX and the entire industry. Our focus now is ensuring we have the talented and mission-driven team in place, like Dr. Nahas and Dr. Kalghatgi, to continue the work Andy began and realize his vision for IBX.”

About Infinity BiologiX

Infinity BiologiX (IBX) is a market-disrupting next-generation central laboratory supporting academia, government, and industry. IBX provides global sample collection, processing, storage, and analytical services integrated with scientific and technical support in both the research and clinical arenas. As a leader in biomaterials, IBX provides support to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and research in the genomics, precision, and regenerative medicine arenas. IBX previously operated as RUCDR Infinite Biologics before spinning off from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in August 2020

For more information, visit www.ibx.bio.