Ernest Mario will become the new chief executive officer andco-chairman of Alza Corp., effective Aug. 2. Mario will replaceMartin Gerstel, who announced in 1992 his plans to resign asCEO to pursue other interests. Gerstel will become interim vicechairman to assist Mario with the transition and will continueas a member of he board of directors of the Palo Alto, Calif.,company.

Mario had been the deputy chairman and chief executive ofGlaxo Holdings in the United Kingdom. Mario joined Glaxo in1986 as president of its U.S. subsidiary; he became chiefexecutive of the parent company in 1989 and deputy chairmanin 1992.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.