Boston, Massachusetts, United States, October 2025 – Solarea Bio, a biotechnology company pioneering innovations in the plant-based microbiome to deliver science-backed solutions for healthy living, has announced the appointment of Catherine Balsam-Schwaber as its new Chief Executive Officer. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment for Solarea Bio as it enters a new phase of commercial growth and scientific expansion.
Expressing her enthusiasm about leading the company, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber stated, “Solarea Bio is committed to rigorous science with real world impact helping people live longer, healthier lives. I am excited to build on Solarea’s pioneering work and bring to market solutions rooted in our uniquely large platform of microbiome strains isolated from fruits and vegetables.”
With a proven record of leading mission-driven health and wellness companies, Balsam-Schwaber previously served as CEO and Co-Founder of Thoughtful AI (acquired by Spring Health) and CEO of Kindra, a women’s self-care company dedicated to menopause support. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at NBCUniversal and Mattel, where she contributed to driving strategic growth and brand innovation.
Gerardo V. Toledo, Ph.D, Founder of Solarea Bio, welcomed her appointment, noting, “I’m thrilled to welcome Catherine at this inflection point in Solarea’s journey. It’s inspiring to see the company grow from a simple idea into the creation of an entirely new product category.” Dr. Toledo, who co-founded the company and served as CEO since its inception, will transition to an advisory role, continuing to provide strategic guidance and scientific expertise as Solarea Bio enters its next chapter.
Under Balsam-Schwaber’s leadership, Solarea Bio is preparing to launch Bondia™, a first-of-its-kind synbiotic medical food that slows bone loss in postmenopausal women by targeting inflammation through the gut-bone axis. The product’s mechanism helps restore balance between bone breakdown and formation, supporting stronger bones and improved long-term health outcomes. With nearly 70% of U.S. women over age 50 experiencing age-related bone loss, Bondia™ has the potential to benefit more than 45 million women nationwide.
About Solarea Bio
Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Solarea Bio is redefining the science of aging and wellness through the power of the microbiome. The company has developed a robust catalog of bacterial and fungal strains isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables, supported by a comprehensive genomic database and computational platform. By combining biotechnology, food science, and clinical validation, Solarea Bio creates novel medical foods designed to manage inflammation and enhance human health. Its commitment to scientific rigor and clinical evidence continues to set new standards in microbiome-based innovation.
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