Executive Management


Randal J. Kirk, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Mr. Kirk founded Third Security, LLC in March 1999 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since that time. In 1984, Mr. Kirk co-founded General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc. and served as Chairman of the Board prior to the 1998 sale of the company. Mr. Kirk also co-founded King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1993. Additionally, in 1996 Mr. Kirk founded and became Chairman of the Board of New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. (previously traded on NASDAQ prior to its acquisition by Shire plc in 2007) and was President and Chief Executive Officer between October 2001 and April 2007.

Mr. Kirk has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Clinical Data, Inc. since 2002 and as Chairman of the Board since 2004, as a member of the Board of Directors of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) since May 2007, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Intrexon Corporation since February 2008 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cyntellect, Inc. since September 2008. Mr. Kirk served as a member of the Board of Directors of Scios, Inc. (previously traded on NASDAQ prior to its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson) between February 2000 and May 2002.

In 2009, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine appointed Mr. Kirk to serve on the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors. Prior to that honor, he served as Rector of the Radford University Board of Visitors and also on the University’s Foundation board. In July 2006, Mr. Kirk was chosen by the governor to sit on the Virginia Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates. A year later, he accepted a position on the Board of Directors for the Virginia University Research Partnership.

Mr. Kirk began his professional career in the private practice of law. He holds a B.A. in Business from Radford University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia.  Back to the Top

Thomas D. Reed, Ph.D., Founder & Chief Science Officer

Dr. Reed is a molecular geneticist with over twenty years of experience in recombinant DNA technology. He has developed sophisticated transgenic model systems for studying the role of gene products in neuronal, cardiovascular, and cancer systems. Dr. Reed has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in the fields of subcellular modulation, gene regulation and cardiac function and is an inventor on numerous patent applications. Dr. Reed co-founded Intrexon in 1998 and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Dr. Reed received his B.S. in Genetics from the University of California-Davis and then completed his M.S. at Wright State University in Biological Science. Dr. Reed received his PhD. from the University of Cincinnati in Molecular and Developmental Biology.  Back to the Top

Ronald B. Herberman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer - Oncology

Prior to joining Intrexon, Dr. Herberman was founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Associate Vice Chancellor for Cancer Research, Hillman Professor of Oncology and Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Herberman is an internationally recognized tumor immunologist who has made major discoveries in his field and has fostered the application of this information to novel approaches to cancer therapy, diagnosis and prevention. The phenomenon of natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumors was first discovered in Dr. Herberman's laboratory at the National Cancer Institute in the early 1970s. In addition to his pioneering investigation of NK cells, Dr. Herberman has played a leading role in multiple areas of tumor immunology and has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Lifetime Science Award from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Immunology and Aging. The significance of Dr. Herberman’s foundational scientific discoveries is underscored by his recognition as one of the 100 most-cited research authors during the period from 1981 until 1990.   Back to the Top

Sunil Chada, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational Medicine

Dr. Chada brings with him over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, focusing on biologic drug development for treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Along with managing clinical trials for melanoma, lung, head and neck and breast cancers, Dr. Chada has authored more than 100 scientific articles and is the inventor on more than 30 issued patents and patent applications. He has served on advisory boards for the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Rice University, private philanthropic organizations as well as the Cancer Institutes of the Dutch and Italian governments. He has been an adjunct faculty member at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and has been awarded nine grants from the National Institutes of Health and the California STAR (Strategic Targets for Alliances in Research) Biotechnology programs. Dr. Chada spent eleven years at Introgen Therapeutics as the Director, and later Associate Vice President of Clinical Research and Development and Vice President of Research and Development for Introgen Research Institute. Dr. Chada received his B.Sc. from Kings College, University of London, his M.S. from University of California at Los Angeles and his Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts Medical School in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.  Back to the Top

Gerardo A. Zapata, Ph.D., President of Protein Production Division
and Senior Vice President

Dr. Zapata brings over 20 years of experience in Protein Biochemistry and Process Development to Intrexon, having been involved in leadership positions in the development and manufacturing of therapeutic proteins at FDA, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and, within the last five years, at Abgenix, Amgen and Catalyst Biosciences. Dr. Zapata is an expert in process development activities leading to filings of Investigation of New Drugs Applications (IND), Biological License Applications (BLA) and commercial manufacturing. Dr. Zapata has a strong background in upstream and downstream process development, process characterization and manufacturing with emphasis in purification processes, analytical assay development and formulation fill finish development. Dr. Zapata was involved in the development, licensing and manufacturing activities of rituximab, trastuzumab and panitumumab, and has participated in the conjugation of potent compounds to antibodies as well as in the construction of manufacturing facilities for biotechnology products. Dr. Zapata received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and received postdoctoral training at CBER, FDA, where in addition to authoring scientific papers, he participated in the IND and BLA review process. Dr. Zapata has coauthored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers and holds several manufacturing process patents. 
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Tom Goralski, Ph.D., President of UltraVector Division and Senior Vice President

Dr. Goralski brings over 20 years of experience in genetic materials production to Intrexon Corporation, having been involved in operational leadership positions, most recently, at Expression Analysis in Durham, North Carolina. Prior to Expression Analysis, Tom was Director of Production Biology at Perlegen Sciences where he managed the team of scientists that identified over one million human single nucleotide polymorphisms employing re-sequencing by hybridization to high-density, whole-wafer microarray technology developed at Affymetrix. Tom also held positions in DNA sequencing and microarray operations at Incyte Genomics. He is an expert in the areas of high throughput process development, quality control monitoring, and laboratory management. Dr. Goralski received his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Indiana University, Bloomington and received postdoctoral training at Stanford University where he was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow. Back to the Top

Asher M. Rubin, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Mr. Rubin joined Intrexon from Hogan & Hartson, LLP, where he was a Partner in the Corporate and Securities Group in the Baltimore, Maryland office. He also chaired the firm’s multidisciplinary Life Sciences Practice Group. Asher’s career has focused on the life sciences industry and regularly included U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting, complex financings, mergers and acquisition, and corporate governance matters. Prior to joining Hogan & Hartson, Asher served as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary for Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. where he was responsible for all of the company’s legal matters. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and has been an active leader in numerous life sciences professional organizations and their proceedings, including the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Law Seminars International (Biotechnology), the BNA Life Sciences Law & Industry Report and the American Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals. Asher is a graduate of Duke University and the University of Maryland School of Law where he received awards and national recognition for his advocacy skills.  Back to the Top

Rick Sterling, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Sterling joined Intrexon in 2007 as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Intrexon, he was with KPMG where he worked in the audit practice for over 17 years, with a client base primarily in the healthcare, technology and manufacturing industries. Mr. Sterling’s experience includes serving clients in both the private and public sector, including significant experience with SEC filings and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. He has a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Virginia Tech and is a licensed CPA.  Back to the Top

Marcelo Quiroga, M.B.A., Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Quiroga joined Intrexon in 2008 as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Intrexon, Marcelo provided advice to companies in Third Security, LLC’s funds focusing on operations and ensuring the companies were properly positioned for growth. Previously, Mr. Quiroga was a Senior Venture Development Specialist with Battelle Memorial Institute. Prior to his role with Battelle, he was Chief Operating Officer in a Bolivian textile group where he led turn around strategies and M&A activities. Mr. Quiroga was the founder and Managing Partner of Logos Capital Partners, a family office focused on direct investments and real estate investments. He received his M.B.A. with emphasis in Finance from Missouri State University. He also received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Mayor de San Andres and his B.S. in Business Administration from the Universidad Catolica Boliviana. Mr. Quiroga is certified in Mergers and Acquisitions and Business Continuous Improvement Programs.  Back to the Top

Robert Beech, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Communications

Mr. Beech joined Intrexon in 2003 after 15 years of senior executive experience in the healthcare informatics sector. Mr. Beech received his B.S. in biology, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami honors and privileged studies program. He performed post-graduate studies at Florida State University and completed his medical technology internship in conjunction with Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center. Mr. Beech is a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology and was involved in clinical diagnostics prior to leading new technology ventures.  Back to the Top