James P. Panek
Director and Interim CEO
diaDexus, Inc. Committee Membership: Audit Committee

Jim Panek has more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He joined VaxGen in 2002, and was appointed its chief executive officer in 2007. During his tenure at VaxGen, Panek served as Co-CEO and Chairman of its highly successful international joint venture, Celltrion, Inc.  As VaxGen CEO and Principal Financial Officer, Panek restructured the company, defined strategic alternatives, and working with the board, led M & A activities ultimately culminating in the merger with diaDexus in July 2010. Prior to joining VaxGen, Panek was Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Genentech and a member of its Executive Committee. At Genentech, Panek led the development of one of world's largest manufacturing facilities enabling FDA approval and launch of multiple recombinant products including Rituxan® and Herceptin®.  Prior to joining Genentech, Panek spent six years with Eli Lilly in a variety of engineering and development positions. Panek holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan.