Gene Logic, part of the Indian genomics services company, Ocimum Biosolutions, has appointed Dr Norrie Russell as president. Dr Russell, who comes with more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery, has previously held leadership positions with NovaRx, Invitrogen, Aviva Biosciences and Lynx Therapeutics. He has also worked for AstraZeneca, where he was global head, biological science and technology.

The US biopharmaceutical company NovaRx has named Dr Norrie Russell president and chief operating officer. He has more than 25 years' experience in drug discovery, having previously served as president and CEO of the biotech company Kalos Therapeutics. Dr Russell has also worked at AstraZeneca, Invitrogen, Aviva Biosciences and Lynx Therapeutics.

Analyzing the venture financings closed by 2004's new crop of biotech, diagnostics, and medical device start-ups reveals today's trends that may shape tomorrow's health care industry. Here we point out eleven 2004 Series A financings that identify and illustrate what's hot.

Reverse merging into Lynx gives high-throughput sequencing play Solexa the instrument development capabilities, Nasdaq listing and US presence it lacked. What's more, combining Solexa's sequencing technology with the commercial infrastructure at Lynx was enough to secure top-notch management and cash to see the company through to its first product offering, expected as early as late 2005.