Renowned Biochemist Joins Scripps Florida Faculty

The Scripps Research Institute has announced today the appointment of internationally renowned biochemist Arthur “Donny” Strosberg, Dr. Sci., as professor of infectology at the institute’s new facilities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Strosberg, 59, has led teams that have made significant discoveries in the fields of biochemistry and immunology at the University of Paris, the Pasteur Institute and the Cochin Institute of Molecular Genetics in Paris, the Free University of Brussels, Belgium, and Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, both in Boston.

In addition, he has more than 20 years experience as an investor and co-founder of biotechnology companies in the United States and Europe, most recently Hybrigenics, a privately held company he helped to establish in 1998 and where he served as chairman and chief executive officer from 1999 to late 2004.

“Donny’s groundbreaking research, particularly in the areas of Legionnaire’s disease, AIDS, and obesity, along with entrepreneurial skills that have led to his founding five companies, make him a perfect fit for the work we are doing at Scripps Florida,” says Scripps Research President Richard A. Lerner. “His research, combined with the latest advanced technologies, should produce significant results in fighting disease and improving human health.”

“I am delighted to participate in the development of a world-class research department at Scripps Florida, as well as help create associated innovative biotechnology companies,” says Strosberg.

Strosberg will begin his tenure at Scripps Florida March 1.

Arthur “Donny” Strosberg

Born in Montreux, Switzerland, in 1945 and a citizen of Belgium, Strosberg received his License in Chemistry in 1966 and a Doctorate in Sciences (Chemistry) in 1970 from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium.  After a postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, he served as an instructor and later visiting professor at Harvard Medical School. He then returned to the Free University of Brussels as a professor in protein chemistry and biochemical pathology, followed by a professorship in biochemistry and immunology at the University of Paris. From 1986 to 1990, he was chief of the unit of molecular biology of receptors at the Pasteur Institute, followed by eight years as director of the molecular immunopharmacology unit and vice president of the Cochin Institute of Molecular Genetics.

Strosberg has trained 45 Ph.D. candidates and nearly twice as many postdoctoral fellows. He has received numerous awards and honors from US and European scientific organizations; he holds nearly 20 issued patents, many of which have been licensed to pharmaceutical companies; he has published more than 370 scientific articles in the major scientific journals in his field.

Strosberg has more than 20 years experience investing in and co-founding biotechnology companies, including Chemunex SA, Nouveau Marché, Incyte and Praecis. He has served on the board of directors and scientific advisory boards of these and other companies, helping to complete successive private placement offerings as well as filing for IPO listings on public capital markets.  He has also helped to start and run three biotech incubators. He is one of the few members from the industrial sector of the investment committee of the French government’s Fund of Funds, which supports French venture capital companies.

Most recently, Strosberg has been chairman and CEO of Hybrigenics, a privately held company he helped to found in 1998, together with the Pasteur Institute. The company is a leader in functional proteomics, seeking to develop drugs against cancer, diabetes and viral diseases, with approximately 40 patent applications and a capitalization of $60 million.

Strosberg and his wife have two grown children. His hobbies include growing Bonsai trees and raising tropical fish.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

“I am delighted to participate in the development of a world-class research department at Scripps Florida, as well as help create associated innovative biotechnology companies,” says Professor Arthur “Donny” Strosberg.