Former NC Novozymes exec is new president of biotech startup Zymtronix

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Zymtronix, Inc., a startup biotechnology spinout from Cornell University with operations in Ithaca, N.Y., and North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, has named Adam Monroe as president and chief operating officer.

The company said it chose Monroe to lead its growth and its commercial and operational efforts in precision biomanufacturing because of his deep history in helping to unlock the power of biology to improve life and the sustainability of the planet.

Adam Monroe (Photo via N.C. Biotech Center)

As the past president-Americas for Novozymes, a leading biobased solutions company, Monroe directed the Americas leadership team that collectively managed the sales, supply and development of a $900 million enzyme and microbials business in 30+ markets across North and South America.

He also led Novozymes’ global sustainability and public affairs efforts, providing a leading voice at numerous major events for nature’s solutions and their impact on sustainability.

“We are thrilled to have Adam join the executive team of Zymtronix,” said the company’s founder and CEO Stéphane Corgié, Ph.D. “Adam’s experience, proven leadership and exemplary commitment to sustainability will enable the next leap forward for the growth of our cell-free biomanufacturing platform and first waves of products.”

Monroe has significant startup experience and was most recently the CEO of Panaceutics Nutrition Inc., an early-stage company that established the highest degree of personalized nutrition technology in the space.  As CEO he established a large commercial pipeline and commercial capabilities while preparing the company to scale and grow including the establishment of two manufacturing facilities funded through multiple series B raises.

Monroe also serves on the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Board of Directors.

Historically biotechnology has relied upon fermentation for producing valuable molecules, but it isn’t easy and there are economic limits to the kinds of molecules that can be produced.  Zymtronix says it is uncovering completely new ways to manufacture molecules outside of the cell – cell-free biomanufacturing – which is opening a new realm of biological possibilities.

“I’ve seen the enormous impact biology and enzymes can make for life, business, and sustainability across countless global diverse industries,” said Monroe.  “Zymtronix’s unique platform can unlock completely new possibilities — from delivering needed products that were practically inaccessible, to unlocking step-change economics and sustainable profiles for novel and traditional products.”

Zymtronix’s cell-free product development and proprietary process technologies include novel matrices of immobilization materials and composition of enzymes can provide previously inaccessible molecules for product design and fundamentally change existing product economies. The company says the uniqueness and efficiency of the Zymtronix systems can dramatically improve the carbon footprint and sustainability profiles of manufactured products and provide new pathways to a better future.

(C) N.C. Biotech Center

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