USC Announces the "IRIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Conference Room"

October 24, 2003--Columbia, SC--The University of South Carolina School of Graduate Studies recently held a ceremony naming the conference room in that facility the “IRIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Conference Room.” During this ceremony, Dean Gerard Crawley, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics enumerated the ways in which the relationship between USC and IRIX are of benefit to both. 

IRIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held company engaged in process research and development, scale–up activities and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The R & D laboratories, as well as, the Corporate office is located in Florence, South Carolina, with a subsidiary lab in St. Petersburg, Russia. The manufacturing facility is located in Donaldson Center in Greenville, SC. 

IRIX was founded in 1996 by J. Guy Steenrod and Dr. Panos Kalaritis, both with extensive backgrounds in pharmaceuticals. The company employs 135 scientists and support personnel, and is a major outsourcing resource for 8 out of the 10 major pharmaceutical companies in the world. 

IRIX has endowed a scholarship in Graduate Studies in Organic Chemistry at the University of South Carolina in memory of a deceased Board of Directors member, Dr. David Coffen. Coffen was a long time friend to the founders of IRIX, as well, as the organization itself. His deep love and devotion to chemistry and to IRIX inspired the founders to establish this tribute to his life and memorial in his name.

Dr. Dan Reger, Chair of the Chem/Biochem Department at USC gave accolades to the founders of IRIX for their strong support of the University and their many contributions to the College of Math and Science.  

For More Information Contact:

Miriam Swiler, Vice President, Human Resources & Public Relations
IRIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
101 Technology Place, Florence, SC 29501
Tel: 843-676-9007
FAX: 843-673-0052 

E-Mail: miriam.swiler@irixpharma.com