• Ronald Sosnowski, PhD, has been named VP of R&D for Adnavance Technologies (San Diego). Sosnowski was most recently senior director of molecular biology and research for Nanogen. Adnavance is a diagnostic company developoing DNA-based tests using its metalized-DNA platform.

• Minrad International (Orchard Park, New York) reported that its board approved the appointment of David DiGiacinto as president/CEO. DiGiacinto's appointment is the first step in a transition in which he will become CEO beginning on January 1, 2009. William Burns will continue to serve as CEO through the end of the year and will serve as chairman until the company's 2009 annual meeting. DiGiacinto is joining Minrad from Spencer Trask & Co. Minrad is an interventional pain management company with real-time image guidance and anesthesia and analgesia product lines.

• Olympus (Center Valley, Pennsylvania) said that Mark Gumz, president/COO of the global company's wholly owned subsidiary in the U.S. since January 2000, has now added CEO to his title. The company said that Gumz is the highest-ranking official in the Americas and the first American to be appointed CEO of any Olympus entity. He will retain his positions as president of Olympus America, Olympus Canada, Olympus Imaging America and Olympus Medical Equipment Services America. He also continues to oversee the operations of Olympus Latin America. Olympus makes opto-digital solutions for healthcare, life science and consumer electronics.