Washington

Craig Venter, founder of Celera, is stepping down as president of the Rockville, Maryland-based biotechnology company, which last year published a version of the human genome sequence (Science 291, 1304–1351; 2001).

Tony White, chairman and chief executive of Celera's parent corporation, Applera, will stand in as president for Celera while a new president is sought, according to a statement issued by Applera on 22 January.

Venter, who was travelling and unavailable for comment, will remain chair of Celera's scientific advisory board. But the statement said he will spend more time on his duties as chair of The Institute for Genomic Research, the Rockville company operated by his wife, Claire Fraser.

Although Venter was widely credited with Celera's success in genome sequencing, doubts have been expressed about the company's long-term business model, which has switched emphasis from users paying for data access to drug development.