Change in the Executive Management Board of BRAIN Biotech AG, genome editing activities established under the Akribion Genomics brand
- Lukas Linnig stepping down as CFO. Michael Schneiders to become new CFO of BRAIN Biotech AG as of October 1st, 2022
- Lukas Linnig and Dr. Michael Krohn to jointly lead Akribion Genomics activities
- Akribion Genomics established as new brand for the proprietary BRAIN genome editing platform technology
BRAIN Biotech AG has announced that current Chief Financial Officer Lukas Linnig is stepping down as CFO to lead Akribion Genomics, the newly established brand for the highly promising genome editing platform technology of BRAIN Group. Michael Schneiders, currently Head of Investor Relations & Sustainability, will be appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of BRAIN Biotech AG.
Michael Schneiders has joined the company in May 2020 after more than twenty years in investment banking. He has also been involved in the initial public offering of BRAIN. The personnel changes in the executive management board of BRAIN Biotech AG will become effective as of October 1st, 2022. Linnig will be joined at Akribion Genomics by Dr. Michael Krohn, currently Head R&D BRAIN Biotech. Linnig and Krohn will jointly lead the activities under the brand name to fully capitalize on the great promise that genome editing represents to BRAIN and its customers. It is BRAIN’s stated intention to establish a separate legal entity for Akribion in the next year and to attract significant external growth funding for this venture.
Adriaan Moelker, CEO of BRAIN Biotech AG, says: “Lukas Linnig and Michael Krohn have been essential in leading our genome editing activities over the last years, driven by the great scientific progress made by the R&D team. It is only logical that they will now become the appointed leaders to drive Akribion Genomics towards its stated goals. Michael Krohn will assume his leadership role as soon as his successor takes over the R&D leadership at BRAIN. I am also looking forward to working together with Michael Schneiders on the executive board of BRAIN Biotech AG. Michael has proven IR, financial and business development skills and a well-established capital market track record.”
Dr. Georg Kellinghusen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BRAIN Biotech AG, says: "It is a very strong sign of confidence in the business potential of Akribion Genomics that the envisaged spin-out will be led by the high caliber team of Lukas Linnig and Dr. Michael Krohn. I am also happy that we have been able to capitalize on our internal succession planning with Michael Schneiders as the designated CFO of BRAIN Biotech."
Lukas Linnig states: “It has been a great honor for me to serve BRAIN as its CFO. Leading Akribion, I will be focusing my attention on accelerating one of BRAIN’s most important value drivers with transformational potential. I am thrilled to take on this challenge of building a successful business in the genome editing market under the Akribion Genomics brand.”
Dr. Michael Krohn, adds: “I am convinced about the potential of our proprietary genome editing technology, especially since our unique mode of action enables us to offer a very valuable addition to the existing genome editing toolsets.”
About BRAIN
BRAIN Biotech AG is a leading European supplier of bio-based products and solutions such as enzymes and proteins, microbial production strains, natural compounds and biotechnological solutions for more sustainable industrial processes. The company focuses on the fields of nutrition, health and environment.
BRAIN Biotech AG is the parent company of the international BRAIN Biotech Group. The Group's business activities are divided into three segments: The BioProducts segment comprises the product business with specialty enzymes and other proteins, for which the Group operates fermentation facilities in the United Kingdom and production facilities in continental Europe and the United States. The BioScience segment offers research-intensive custom solutions based on enzyme technology, strain development, bioprocess development and natural product screening. The BioIncubator segment conducts its own R&D projects or those initiated with partners with high value-added potential. A particularly promising incubator project is the development of the Company's own CRISPR-based gene editing technology platform, which is currently being established and expanded by Akribion Genomics (in foundation planning).
Through its own R&D activities, BRAIN Biotech Group is continuously expanding its product portfolio in the field of specialty enzymes and small molecules. The latter are the starting point for screenings, e.g. for novel drug candidates for pharmaceutical applications.
BRAIN Biotech AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since February 9, 2016 (ticker symbol: BNN; securities identification number: ISIN DE0005203947 / WKN 520394). The company employs approximately 330 people and generated revenues of EUR 55,3 million in the fiscal year 2022/23.
For more information, please visit: https://www.brain-biotech.com, LinkedIn, Threads and YouTube.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations, and assumptions of the management of BRAIN Biotech AG, and are based on information currently available to the management. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance, and entail both known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Numerous factors exist that could influence the future performance of and future developments at BRAIN Biotech AG and the BRAIN Biotech Group. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and competitive environment, risks associated with capital markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in international and national laws and regulations, in particular with respect to tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors. BRAIN Biotech AG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.