Chr Hansen and Lonza appoint new CEO for BacThera

Chr Hansen and Lonza joint venture company focuses on live-biotherapeutics has appointed Lukas Schüpbach as CEO

The Board of Directors of BacThera has appointed Lukas Schüpbach as CEO as of 1 February 2020. Lukas Schüpbach comes from a position as global head of Strategy and Operations at Emavant Solutions, was co-founder of Innojection and has previously held senior leadership positions at Syngenta and Novartis.

Schüpbach holds a master’s degree in Business from the University of Basel and a master’s degree in Economics from the HEC in Lausanne.

CEO of Chr. Hansen and Chairman of the Board at BacThera, Mauricio Graber said: “BacThera gets a CEO with a rounded profile, from an entrepreneurial mindset to building and aligning cross functional teams in large organisations. I am convinced his pharma experience, and extensive network, will be very valuable for BacThera’s growth plans and the company’s ambition to be a pioneer in the emerging live-biotherapeutic market.”

Commenting on his appointment, Schüpbach said: “The nature of the company allows me to combine my experience from the life-sciences industry and the biotech start up scene, contributing to ultimately realise BacThera’s strong purpose of bringing life-changing treatments to patients.”

BacThera’s interim CEO, Christian Bigum, continues as acting CEO until Lukas Schüpbach takes up his new position in February.

Bigum said: “Lukas and I have already planned a solid transition that will ensure full alignment on BacThera’s strategy and priorities while maintaining the strong business momentum we have right now. I am pleased to handover the torch to Lukas – he is not only a strong business builder and charismatic leader, but also sincerely inspired by BacThera’s purpose of shaping the future of medicine.”

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