Dr. Raphael J. Mannino

Obituary of Dr. Raphael J. Mannino

Dr. Raphael J. Mannino, Jr., a husband, father, grandfather, and recognized pioneer in drug delivery systems whose inventions enabled the treatment of previously incurable deadly diseases, died January 4 at his home in Bethlehem Twp., New Jersey, with his loving wife, Flora, by his side.

Dr. Mannino was the world leader of "cochleate" technology, an innovative lipid-based drug delivery technology that transforms toxic, intravenous-only drugs into safe, oral medications. He was an internationally recognized expert in applying these delivery systems to problems beyond drug delivery in biotechnology, including vaccine design and gene therapy applications.

Born January 28, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, to Raphael James and Mary Margaret Panzeca Mannino, he believed that science existed to serve the greater good and devoted his life to this ideal. Dr. Mannino earned his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York and his Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his postdoctoral research at the Biocentre in Basel, Switzerland. Charismatic in the classroom and a compelling presenter at conferences, Dr. Mannino held faculty positions at UMDNJ, Rutgers Medical Schools, and the Albany Medical College, where he relentlessly pursued his research and mentored future generations of doctors and scientists.

To further the development of the cochleate technology, Dr. Mannino founded and served as Chief Scientific Officer for BioDelivery Sciences Inc. and Aquarius Biotechnologies, and later served as Chief Scientific Officer at Matinas BioPharma, following the acquisition of Aquarius Biotechnologies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mannino partnered with research organizations around the world, including the National Institutes of Health, and held 33 United States patents and over 100 derivative foreign applications and patents. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award in the Drug Delivery Technology Category by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, which recognizes the most innovative patent work done in New Jersey.

Those closest to him remember more than his scientific achievements. They remember a generous and vibrant man who loved life and was always ready to compete intellectually and physically, whether it was a round of chess or an active game of baseball or football. He was passionate about skiing and was known to break into song and dance just for the joy of it. A man always ready with a pun, even if it wasn't that "punny," he made up songs just to hear his children laugh. He often expressed his love for others through food, perfecting each of his recipes with the same precision he brought to the laboratory. His favorite pastime was bringing friends and family together around the table with laughter, food, and wine.

He is survived by his wife, Flora Mannino; his children and their spouses, AnnaMaria Mannino White and Jonathan White, Renata Christina Mannino and Guy Ross, and Raphael Thomas Mannino and Hannah Mannino; their mother, Anna Beers Mannino; his stepchildren, Daniel Briechle and Thomas Briechle; his grandchildren Jaqueline, Daniel, Jonathan Jr., and Lucy; his nieces and nephews, Sean, Morgan, Thomas and James Slusarz, Rebecca Radtke, Sasha Siwek, and Rosemary Pendergast and Rochelle Newsome and their children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rosette Leone, and his beloved grandson, James.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date; please sign up to receive updates here: https://forms.gle/uGxPs33UiGahJSoC8

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the following organizations in Raphael's honor.

Liberty Science Center, https://lsc.org/support-us/other-ways-to-give

World Central Kitchen, https://donate.wck.org/campaign/749360/donate

Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, https://www.cncfhope.org/donate/

You are welcome to share a memory or joke below.