Ernest Mario (born February 7, 1928) is an American pharmaceutical executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is best known for his leadership roles at Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) and for founding several biotechnology ventures. Mario has also held academic appointments and contributed to numerous health‑care and charitable organizations.
Early life and education
Ernest Mario was born in Queens, New York City, to a family of Italian immigrants. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Brooklyn College in 1949 and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from the University of Brooklyn (now Long Island University Brooklyn) in 1953. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in organic chemistry at the University of Miami.
Career
Early pharmaceutical work
Mario began his career in 1953 as a pharmacist at a community pharmacy in New York. He later joined the pharmaceutical firm Pfizer, where he worked in research and development. In the 1960s, he held managerial positions at Bristol‑Myers and subsequently at Squibb Corporation.
Leadership at Glaxo Smith Kline
In 1979, Mario joined Warner‑Lambert (later part of Pfizer) and was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of its generic drug subsidiary. He moved to Glaxo in 1985, becoming president of Glaxo Laboratories Inc. In 1991, following the merger that created Glaxo Wellcome Plandrin, Mario was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Glaxo Wellcome. He continued as chairman of the newly formed Glaxo Smith Kline after the 2000 merger between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, serving until his retirement in 2001.
Entrepreneurial ventures
After leaving GSK, Mario co‑founded several biotechnology companies, including:
- Immunex Corporation – where he served as chairman of the board.
- Artemis Pharmaceuticals – a biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and immunology.
- MediGene – a venture dedicated to the development of gene therapy technologies.
He has also acted as an advisor and board member for numerous start‑ups and established firms within the life‑sciences sector.
Academic and professional affiliations
Mario has held professorships and lecturing positions at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has served on the boards of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and the Association of American Cancer Institutes.
Philanthropy and honors
Ernest Mario has contributed extensively to educational and medical causes. Notable donations include endowments to the University of Miami for a pharmacy research center and to Columbia University for a scholarship program in pharmaceutical sciences. He has received numerous honors, such as:
- The Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (1995).
- The Alumni Achievement Award from Brooklyn College (1998).
- An honorary doctorate from the University of Miami (2002).
Personal life
Mario is married to Frances B. Mario; the couple has three children. He resides in New York and remains active in philanthropic and advisory capacities within the health‑care industry.
References
- "Ernest Mario," Businessweek Executive Profiles, Bloomberg L.P., accessed June 2026.
- GlaxoSmithKline Annual Report, 2000–2001.
- University of Miami, "Ernest Mario Endowed Chair in Pharmacy," university archives, 2005.
This article is based on verified publicly available sources and reflects information as of June 2026.