BIOTALYS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Independent Member and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Biotalys Board
Catherine was appointed an independent member and chair of the audit committee of the Biotalys Board in June 2021. She brings a wealth of experience in finance, capital markets and life sciences to the Biotalys Board. Most recently, Catherine was the chair and CEO of MedDay Pharmaceuticals. She currently is a non-executive board member in various other life sciences companies, both listed (Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Orphazyme) and privately owned (CMR Surgical).
In the recent past, she held various other senior executive roles (Innate Pharma) and board memberships in companies such as Kymab, Ablynx, Genkyotex, Zealand Pharma and Creabilis. Earlier, she was the CFO of Movetis, overseeing the company's IPO on Euronext and subsequent sale to Shire.
Catherine started her career in investment banking and capital markets and worked in this industry for several years in the US and London, switching to corporate roles in life sciences 20 years ago. She holds an MBA and a Masters in Economics from Yale University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Douglas Minder was appointed CFO in July 2023. He joined Biotalys in January 2021 and was closely involved in the company's IPO on Euronext Brussels in July that year. Since then, he has lead the finance team and prepared for taking over the role of CFO.
Douglas has over 30 years of financial experience, which includes more than eight years at Belgium-based multinational biopharmaceutical company UCB. His most recent position there was Finance Business Partner, where he worked across many groups to help them align strategic objectives with the company's long-range financial plans. He also worked for 20 years as an auditor and consultant at Deloitte, both in Belgium and in the U.S., where he served various Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries, including biopharma, technology, chemicals and manufacturing.
He is an expert in U.S. GAAP and IFRS standards and reporting requirements for both the U.S. and European markets and has built successful cross-departmental relationships to develop continuous improvement solutions throughout an organization.
Job Titles:
- Chief Scientific Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Dr. Carlo Boutton joined Biotalys in May 2022 as Chief Scientific Officer. Carlo brings more than 20 years of antibody and biochemistry leadership to the company. In his most recent role as Sanofi's Global Head of Innovation, Large Molecules Research, Carlo drove the innovation strategy and managed an expansive team exploring novel technologies with antibodies, NANOBODIES® and other biologic modalities to find innovative pharmaceutical solutions. Before Sanofi, he held various scientific leadership roles at Ablynx (now Sanofi), where he focused on bioinformatics, protein modelling and finding new therapeutic applications for its NANOBODY® platform. At Ablynx, Carlo was also involved in multiple strategic partnerships as member of Joint Steering Committees. Previously, he took part in several anti-HIV and anti-HCV drug discovery projects at Tibotec (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson). At the start of his career, he contributed to the development of a platform to develop rationally designed therapeutics in the broad field of immunotherapy, at Algonomics (now Lonza). He is named co-inventor on more than 20 patent applications.
Carlo Boutton obtained his M.S. and PhD from the University of Leuven (Belgium), where he researched the physico-chemical behavior of proteins under high-electromagnetic fields.
Job Titles:
- CEO of BioAdvice
- Member of the SAC
An industrial biotechnology expert, Dr. Bensoussan currently serves as CEO of BioAdvice, which provides consulting services for leaders in the bioprocess and biotechnology communities. With a PhD. in molecular pharmaco-chemistry, he brings decades of operational experience across the pharmaceutical and chemical industries to his role on the Biotalys SAC, where he will provide counsel on industrial-scale protein manufacturing. Dr. Bensoussan has driven the development and industrialization of numerous bioprocesses spanning the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals arenas. A highly acclaimed author, he is an active advisor to the biotechnology community.
Job Titles:
- Head of Regulatory and Sustainability
Dr. ir. Eva Van Hende joined Biotalys in March 2022. She has over 10 years of experience in the crop protection industry. Prior to joining Biotalys, she held a global managerial role in the Crop Protection division of Eastman BVBA. She was leading the global regulatory affairs team for crop protection during 5 years, and prior to that she was leading the innovation team and managing the marketing of a new crop protection technology.
Eva holds sustainability as a core value in both professional and personal life by working with changemaking organizations. She is a chemical bio-engineer and holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Ghent (UGent), Belgium. Eva Van Hende is an MBA-candidate at Vlerick Business School.
Since January 2019, Franz-Josef works as a self-employed Technology Advisor for Life Sciences and he is currently also Chair of the Advisory Board for Rottendorf Pharma. Franz-Josef is retired from Bayer AG where he held senior management positions with global responsibility in R&D as well as in production for more than 15 years. He was responsible for product development, product safety and regulatory affairs in Bayer CropScience and for product supply and product quality in Bayer Animal Health and the Pharma division. He is passionate about sustainable agriculture and believes in new technologies to improve and secure agricultural productivity and farmer's income while minimizing the environmental impact. Equally important is for him the societal acceptance of technologies and the trust in science. Franz-Josef received his PhD in natural science from University of Würzburg (Institute for Pharmacy). He is a pharmacist by training and studied at University of Marburg.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Member of Renumeration and Nomination Committee
Johan Cardoen has over 30 years of experience in the biotech sector. He was managing director of VIB, one of the world's premier life science institutes based in Flanders (Belgium), where he was responsible for the innovation and business team. He represented VIB on the boards of directors of various life science and AgTech companies and currently continues to do so at Aphea.Bio. In the past he also held independent board positions at argen-x and Applied Maths (now Biomerieux). Until 2020 he was Chairman of the LP Board of V-Bio Ventures, a dedicated life sciences investment fund focused on early-stage investments. He is currently the chairperson of Meiogenix and member of the board of directors and remuneration committee of Complix.
Johan started his career at Plant Genetic Systems (1988) as business development manager and subsequently AgrEvo Hoechst Schering GmbH and Aventis CropScience (now Bayer CropScience) where he was responsible for all biotech related technology acquisitions. In 1999, Johan joined CropDesign (now BASF) as Vice President Business Development and became CEO in December 2004 where he developed and implemented a dual track strategy (IPO/trade sale) which led to the acquisition of CropDesign by BASF in June 2006. Johan Cardoen holds a PhD in Biology and a Postgraduate degree in business management from KU Leuven, Belgium.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Kevin Helash joined Biotalys in October 2023 as chief executive officer (CEO). He is a results-driven CEO and executive board member and brings to the company more than 30 years of international experience in the agricultural industry, developing and executive aggressive growth strategies and enhancing profitability. In positions both with major multinational ag companies and with start-up, technology driven enterprises, Kevin has a proven track record of achieving key business goals and objectives, while building a team-oriented culture of accountability, execution and creativity.
A native of Manitoba, Canada, Kevin has held leadership positions at Agrium (now Nutrien), Agrinos, Marrone Bio, and EnviroKure.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Board As Non - Executive Director
Markus Heldt joined the Biotalys Board as Non-Executive Director in July 2021. He has over 40 years of experience in the agricultural industry, across various continents, providing him with a strong global industry network and in-depth knowledge of the agricultural value chains. Throughout his career, Markus has been involved in growth strategies and acquisitions, including in the areas of crop protection, biologicals and biotechnology assets.
Markus has worked for BASF SE between 2000 and 2019, where he served as Group Vice President of the Agricultural Products and Fine Chemicals division in Latin America, and as Group Vice President for Crop Protection in North America - in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Between 2009 and 2019, Markus was President of BASF SE's Agricultural Solutions division. Prior to joining BASF SE, Markus held positions at Cyanamid Agrar GmbH & Co KG, Shell International Ltd and Celamerck GmbH & Co KG. He currently is a Member of the Supervisory Board of K+S Aktiengesellschaft. Markus has a passion for customers, technology, innovation and sustainable solutions to support farmers and food production.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Board As Non - Executive Director
- Member of Renumeration and Nomination Committee
Michiel van Lookeren Campagne joined the Biotalys Board as Non-Executive Director in June 2022. He has more than three decades of experience driving scientific advances for the agricultural industry in leadership positions around the globe. Michiel recently served as the Director Agriculture & Food for CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. Previously, he was Head of Seeds Research at Syngenta, based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. At Bayer CropScience, he headed the research for its BioScience business out of Ghent. Prior to that, he held scientific research roles at Wageningen University & Research Centre (WUR).
Michiel van Lookeren Campagne earned his M.S. and PhD in Developmental Biology from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Early in his career, he also served as an Assistant Professor and Associate Research Scientist at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Member of Renumeration and Nomination Committee
Patrick has extensive experience in Life Sciences and AgTech through his long-term career with the leading European investment firm Gimv, where he has built a successful track record in early and late stage investments and exits, including DevGen, CropDesign, Plexxikon and Endosense. Gimv (listed on Euronext Brussels) was established almost four decades ago and invests in private companies that fit into one of their four investment platforms: Connected Consumer, Health & Care, Smart Industries and Sustainable Cities. Patrick is currently representing Gimv on the Boards of JenaValve, Complix, Biotalys, G-Therapeutics and Fire1. Former Board seats include Innogenetics, Crucell, Hypnion (acquired by Eli Lilly), CropDesign (acquired by BASF), Astex and Ablynx (acquired by Sanofi). Patrick has a Degree in Financial Sciences from Vlekho in Brussels, Belgium.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
Patrik Haesen was appointed director in August 2023. He currently is Chief Executive Officer of Agri Investment Fund (AIF) and General Manager Investments at M.R.B.B., the holding company of the Farmers Union in Belgium. He has in-depth expertise in audit, finance and investment. He also is a director in Arvesta, Acerta and Iscal Sugar and in several other innovative AgTech companies.
Mr. Haesen holds a Master's degree in commercial engineering (KU Leuven) and a European Master in public administration (KU Leuven and Corvinus University in Budapest), as well as a postgraduate degree in finance (EHSAL, Management School).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Member of the Executive Committee and General Counsel of Ackermans
Piet is member of the executive committee and general counsel of Ackermans & van Haaren, a diversified long-term investor listed on Euronext Brussels. He brings extensive experience in AgTech, M&A, corporate governance and human resources. Prior to joining Ackermans & van Haaren in 1995, he practiced M&A, corporate and financial law at the law firm Loeff Claeys Verbeke (now Allen & Overy). Piet is also a member of the Board of Directors of Anima Care (elderly residential care centers) and Biolectric (biogas for dairy farms). Piet obtained a Master's Degree in Law from the KU Leuven, Belgium and a LLM (Master of Laws) from the University of Chicago Law School, USA.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Board
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Chairman of Renumeration and Nomination Committee
Simon has been appointed Chairman of the Board in April 2021 and brings over 30 years of industry leadership and research experience to Biotalys. He was co-founder and CEO of MorphoSys, a leading biotechnology company focused on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, from 1992-2019. At MorphoSys Simon played a central role in establishing the company as a driving force in the field of therapeutic antibodies. He currently sits on the board of Novartis as a non-executive Director. Simon has been recognized and awarded with the German Cross of the Order of Merit for his work and contribution to the biotechnology industry. Simon holds a D. Phil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford and has held positions in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge, as Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department, University of British Columbia and as Associate and Lecturer in the Chemistry Department of the ETH Zurich.
Job Titles:
- Head of Human Resources
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Sophie Snijders is an HR professional with 20 years of expertise across diverse HR domains, having worked in both multinational corporations and small enterprises. In 2019, she took up the role of HR Manager at Biotalys. Before joining Biotalys, Sophie held a position in Country HR Management at Agilent Technologies.
Sophie champions a workplace culture characterized by collaboration, continuous learning and well-being and is a strong advocate for inclusive and fair HR policies, fostering robust partnerships to contribute to collective company success. She has participated in various HR training programs, including the Executive Master program in HR Management at Vlerick Business School.