Kári Stefánsson expresses his contentment following his unexpected termination: "Now, I gleefully embody the moniker of an elderly man."

Geneticist Kári Stefánsson, founder of deCode Genetics, expressed no shock over his unexpected termination from the company he helmed for almost three decades. In an interview with mbl.is, Stefánsson attributed the sudden shift in his position to conflicting scientific agendas between him and...

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2025 May 13 . 3:44 PM

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Geneticist Kári Stefánsson, founder of deCode Genetics, claims he anticipated his unexpected... — Geneticist Kári Stefánsson, founder of deCode Genetics, claims he anticipated his unexpected termination from the firm he helmed for almost three decades. In an interview with mbl.is, Stefánsson attributes the sudden shift in his position to inconsistent scientific objectives between himself and Amgen, deCode's parent company.

Kári Stefánsson expresses his contentment following his unexpected termination: "Now, I gleefully embody the moniker of an elderly man."

New Article:

Stepping Down in Style: Kári Stefánsson's Departure from deCode Genetics

Kári Stefánsson, a renowned geneticist and founder of deCode Genetics, took his dismissal from the company he led for nearly three decades with his trademark swagger. "I am probably the best-known geneticist in the world today," he declared to mbl.is. "And when it comes to science, I'm a bit of a party animal, looking for everything between heaven and earth."

This sudden exit occurred during a meeting at Amgen headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California, where Stefánsson believed the discussion would revolve around a potential collaboration with Abu Dhabi. Instead, he was informed that his time with deCode had come to an end. His longtime colleagues, Patrick Sulem and Daníel Guðbjartsson, were discreetly escorted away and flown back to Iceland.

Stefánsson attributed the decision to a clash in scientific visions. Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical giant, favors targeted drug development, whereas Stefánsson's passion lies in broad, exploratory research. "I'm all about the scientific adventure," he said, showing no signs of resentment.

Now a "happy old man," Stefánsson plans to complete two books and seek new opportunities in the world of genetics. "I've worked seven days a week for 29 years," he said with determination. "But I'll find a way out of this."

Stefánsson leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work that placed Iceland at the forefront of global genetic research. Despite stepping down, his curiosity for the mysteries of genetics remains undimmed.

Comparing Approaches:

Amgen, a biopharmaceutical powerhouse, prioritizes patient-centered care, innovation, and the use of AI and data analytics. On the other hand, deCode Genetics, under Stefánsson's leadership, focused on genetic research, population genetics, and genomic medicine. Despite their differing methodologies, both entities strive to advance the field of medicine and science.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Note: Due to limited specific information, comparisons are based on general focus areas and methodologies associated with each entity.

The news of Amgen's emphasis on patient-centered care, innovation, and the use of AI and data analytics, contrasts the focus of deCode Genetics under Kári Stefánsson, who prioritized genetic research, population genetics, and genomic medicine.
While Amgen's approach to medicine and science involves targeted drug development, Stefánsson, in his pursuit of scientific adventure, was more interested in broad, exploratory research.
The departure of Kári Stefánsson from deCode Genetics, a company known for its groundbreaking work in genetics, sparks curiosity about potential advancements in health-and-wellness and medical-conditions, as well as the role of technology in future scientific discoveries.