Helicos BioSciences (NASDAQ:HLCS) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Ronald Lowy as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ron has served on the Board of Helicos since November 2007 and will continue to do so. Steve Lombardi will continue in the position of President of Helicos and a member of the Board and will focus his efforts on the commercialization of the HeliScopeTM system product line.

“I am very excited to take over the leadership of Helicos during this critical time of early commercialization. With my effort leading the business team and Steve’s focus on customer relationships, placements and field support of the HeliScope system, I expect that we will accelerate Helicos’ transition to full commercialization,” said Lowy.

“Since joining the Helicos’ Board in November 2007, Ron has worked closely with me on many operational aspects of the business. Ron’s appointment will allow me to direct my full efforts toward Helicos’ commercial strategy,” said Steve Lombardi, the Company’s President.

Mr. Lowy has more than 30 years of experience managing and growing technology based global businesses. As president and CEO of Fisher Biosciences, a division of Fisher Scientific, Mr. Lowy was responsible for 14 business units with more than 5,000 employees in 56 locations in 100 countries around the world. Before joining Fisher Biosciences, Mr. Lowy was president of Global Connectivity Solutions for ADC Telecommunications . He also served as president and Chief Operating Officer at the KRONE Group where he was responsible for all facets of this global business unit. Mr. Lowy spent the first 15 years of his career in operations, technology and general management positions at GE Medical Systems where he was intimately involved with the development and commercialization of Computerized Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Systems.