AMRI Strengthens Business Development and Marketing Groups

- Streamlines Sales and Marketing Organization and Hires Marketing Agency to Drive Increased Sales and Brand Awareness

ALBANY, New York, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AMRI (NASDAQ: AMRI) announced today key changes in its Business Development and Marketing functions.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120229/NY61160LOGO )

AMRI's separate North American Discovery and Development teams are being combined into one functional sales organization, under the leadership of Christopher Conway, who has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development, North America. This creates a seamless integration of business development and marketing efforts in North America with the goal of optimizing territory cross-selling opportunities and customer service.

Mr. Conway joined AMRI in 2008 as a Sales Manager on AMRI's U.S. discovery team. He was promoted to Senior Director of the North America Discovery market in late 2010.  In addition to his contributions in the closing of multi-year contracts for AMRI with large pharmaceutical, biotech, non-profit, academic and government organizations, Chris also led the development of AMRI's insourcing strategy, a new model to support drug discovery and development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies within their own facilities. Prior to joining AMRI, Chris held sales and leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Johnson and Johnson and completed J&J's Sales Leadership Development Program.  During his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Chris received awards including J&J's Global Standards of Leadership Award and Ortho-McNeil Neurologic's National Innovation Award. Chris also sits on the American Cancer Society Corporate Council.

In a separate organizational change, Louis Garguilo has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development. In addition to his responsibility for AMRI's business development activity in the Japan/Asia Pacific markets, Mr. Garguilo has assumed responsibility for AMRI's marketing communications activities. In Mr. Garguilo's expanded role, he will continue to lead AMRI's sales efforts in the Japan/Asia Pacific markets while overseeing marketing communications activities as AMRI rolls out its rebranding campaign. Louis has prior training and experience in international marketing and communications, and has been leading these efforts already for his territories. This expanded role allows Louis to oversee marketing activities for AMRI on a global basis.

Mr. Garguilo's expertise in Japanese culture and business came from 16 years living in Japan, teaching English as a second language and advising U.S. corporations in the fields of Japanese communications and culture. Upon returning to the United States, Louis worked for New York State as Director of Industry Development for various high-tech industries, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. He also served as Chief Strategic Officer at KnowledgeXtensions, Inc. Louis also established and managed a Japan/U.S. consulting company specializing in strategic communications, marketing and business development initiatives. Louis joined AMRI in 2006.

In a third move to enhance marketing efforts, AMRI has hired Notch Communications, which will be working with AMRI on executing its marketing strategy, including a re-branding campaign and enhanced media outreach. Based in the U.K., the principals at Notch have a long history and track record supporting the CRO/CMO industry and have contributed significantly in the past to several industry leading organizations.

AMRI Chairman, President and CEO Thomas E. D'Ambra, Ph.D., said, "The promotions and changes in responsibility announced today recognize the achievements and leadership contributions of Mr. Conway and Mr. Garguilo and are designed to lead to a tighter integration and enhanced performance of our sales teams. In addition, the increased investment in our marketing activities through the relationship with Notch, led by Mr. Garguilo, will support our efforts at greater brand awareness on a global scale and should provide us with greater reach and access to existing and new customers. As the industry we serve continues to seek innovative new strategies for R&D efficiency and productivity, AMRI will be launching a new marketing campaign to ensure our customers understand how AMRI is differentiated in the marketplace and the full value we can provide them. I would like to congratulate Mr. Conway and Mr. Garguilo on their promotions. We look forward to comprehensively engaging our customers and serving their drug discovery, development, and manufacturing needs."

About AMRI

Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) is a global contract research and manufacturing organization offering customers fully integrated drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services. For over 21 years AMRI has demonstrated its adaptability as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have undergone tremendous change in response to multiple challenges. This experience, a track record of success and locations in the United States, Europe and Asia now provides our customers with SMARTSOURCING(TM), a full range of value-added opportunities providing customers informed decision-making, enhanced efficiency and more successful outcomes at all stages of the pipeline. AMRI has also successfully partnered R&D programs and is actively seeking to out-license its remaining programs for further development. For more information, please visit www.amriglobal.com.