EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 7, 2024 — Amyris, Inc., a leader in synthetic biology, announced a significant leadership change with the appointment of Kathy L. Fortmann as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. This announcement follows a strategic reorganization within the company.
Extensive Industry Experience to Spearhead Future Growth
With nearly 35 years of experience across various sectors, including specialty chemicals and food ingredients, Ms. Fortmann is well-prepared to guide Amyris through its next innovation phase. Her previous role was as CEO of ACOMO N.V., a company specializing in niche food products and ingredients. Her tenure at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. as Division President of Nourish and other leadership roles highlights her expertise in managing complex global operations and strategic initiatives.
“I’ve long admired Amyris’ leading science and technology capabilities and its impressive product portfolio and R&D pipeline,” Ms. Fortmann remarked. “I’m excited to lead the company through this next stage of innovation and growth. I look forward to working closely with the Board and my new colleagues in developing and executing on Amyris’ go-forward strategy.”
Leadership Transition and Board Changes
In addition to her new role, Ms. Fortmann will join Scott White, John Doerr, and Ryan Panchadsaram on the Board of Directors of Amyris. Han Kieftenbeld, who served as the interim CEO since June 2023, will depart from Amyris to explore new opportunities, marking the end of his impactful tenure which began in March 2020 as Chief Financial Officer.
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Amyris is a globally recognized leader in synthetic biology, focused on the creation of sustainable and market-ready ingredients through proprietary advanced precision fermentation technology. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Amyris collaborates with various partners to co-create breakthrough ingredients that are essential for numerous consumer products. The company’s ingredients are a part of over 20,000 products worldwide, reaching more than 300 million consumers.
