LAKE FOREST, Calif., Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cryoport, Inc. (OTCBB: CYRX) ( "Company"), the leading provider of advanced cryogenic logistics solutions for life sciences serving markets including immunotherapies, stem cells, cell lines, clinical research organizations, vaccine manufacturers and reproductive medicine, today announced the appointment of Mark W. Sawicki, Ph.D. as Chief Commercial Officer of Cryoport Systems.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Sawicki will lead Cryoport's global sales and marketing organization. Dr. Sawicki brings broad experience and proven success in developing new business opportunities in the life sciences industry, and his results-oriented approach and sharp business acumen will play a pivotal role in accelerating Cryoport's track record of growth and innovation as a leading solutions provider to the life sciences.

Dr. Sawicki brings fifteen years of business development and sales management experience, having consistently delivered on corporate revenue and market share goals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Dr. Sawicki was most recently the Chief Business Officer at AAIPharma Services Corporation/Cambridge Major Laboratories Inc.; additionally, he has served in senior business development roles at CMC Biologics and at Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI), where he increased revenue at rates far outpacing industry standards.

Dr. Sawicki holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He also received graduate training at the Hauptman Woodard Medical Research Institute. Dr. Sawicki has authored a dozen scientific publications in drug discovery with a focus on oncology and immunology.

"I am delighted to welcome Mark to Cryoport. We look forward to drawing from his thoughtful insights and dynamic leadership skills to further the development of our business. His knowledge of the life sciences industry and mastery in solutions selling and marketing will elevate our cryogenic logistics solutions in the marketplace. Mark's client-centric reputation is quite valuable to Cryoport's clients who are seeking a competitive advantage with reliability, efficiency and effectiveness," commented Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport.

Dr. Sawicki stated, "I look forward to working with my new colleagues at Cryoport as we develop and execute on sales and marketing strategies designed to accelerate growth and provide our clients with comprehensive solutions and best-in-class customer service. I look forward to identifying and evaluating new business opportunities for the Company. Cryoport provides vital, enabling solutions to the development of the life sciences industry and is in a unique and enviable position. The Company supports a wide diversity of clients, but as novel biological therapies, which include CAR T cells, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and patient based immunotherapies,  constitute an ever-increasing share of new drug development, 'chain of custody' and 'chain of condition' are developing into mandatory regulations. Cryoport's relationships with the three largest shipping companies in the world further validate the advantages of its outsourced solutions and regulatory support capabilities in support of global resourcing needs. I feel privileged to be a part of this dynamic Company's future and will endeavor to provide effective leadership to our sales and marketing efforts and Companywide." 

Richard Rathmann, Chairman of the Board of Cryoport, said, "Mark is a great addition to Cryoport. Our customers, as well as the entire Cryoport team, will benefit from his positive energy and thoughtful approach. Combine these personal attributes with Mark's extensive experience in the life sciences, and he is well-positioned to capitalize on Cryoport's momentum and maximize the tremendous growth opportunities ahead."

About Cryoport, Inc.
Cryoport provides leading edge frozen logistics solutions to the life sciences industry through the combination of purpose-built proprietary packaging, information technology and specialized cold chain logistics expertise. Its competencies range from skilled, total turnkey management of the entire life sciences cold chain logistics process to complex total management solutions for outsourced cold chain logistics.

Its packaging, built around its Cryoport Express® liquid nitrogen dry vapor shippers, is validated to maintain a constant -150°C temperature for a 10-plus day dynamic shipment duration. Its information technology boast a Cryoportal™ Logistics Management Platform which manages the entire shipment process, including initial order input, document preparation, customs clearance, integrator/courier management, shipment tracking, issue resolution, and delivery. Cryoport uses recyclable and reusable components providing an environmentally friendly solution. Cryoport solutions can record the "chain of condition" and "chain of custody" for shipments thereby meeting the exacting requirements for scientific work and for regulatory purposes. For more information, visit www.cryoport.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this news release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Cryoport, Inc.'s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is important to note that the company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the products markets, variations in the company's cash flow, market acceptance risks, and technical development risks. The company's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Cryoport, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

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SOURCE Cryoport, Inc.