Key Takeaways
- New Board Appointment: Biotalys announces Laura J. Meyer as the new member of its Board of Directors and the head of the Audit Committee, effective September 25, 2024.
- Expertise in Finance and Agriculture: Laura Meyer brings extensive experience from her roles at Bayer and previously Monsanto, enhancing Biotalys’ financial and commercial strategies.
- Strategic Shift: Meyer’s appointment follows Catherine Moukheibir’s decision to step down, marking a strategic transition in the board’s composition.
- Focus on Sustainable Agriculture: Meyer is set to leverage her background to advance Biotalys’ innovative AGROBODY technology in sustainable crop protection.
- Future Confirmation: Meyer’s appointment as an independent director is pending confirmation at the next shareholders meeting as per regulatory requirements.
Biotalys, an AgTech leader specializing in protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection, has announced a significant update to its leadership. Laura J. Meyer has been appointed to its Board of Directors and will head the Audit Committee starting September 25, 2024. She will be taking over from Catherine Moukheibir, who has decided to step down.
Laura J. Meyer’s Background and Role
Laura J. Meyer currently serves as Vice President, Investor Relations at Bayer, focusing on the Crop Science division. She joined Bayer following her tenure leading Investor Relations for Monsanto since 2014. Meyer’s career in Monsanto began in 1996, where she undertook key financial roles and contributed significantly to the company’s transformation into a leading agricultural input provider. Her experience includes serving as the divisional Chief Financial Officer for global vegetable seeds and Asia row crops businesses.
Simon Moroney, Chairman of Biotalys, expressed his enthusiasm about Meyer’s addition to the board: “We are delighted to have someone with Laura’s unique skill set join us at this important juncture in Biotalys’ evolution. Her financial and commercial background will be particularly valuable as we advance our first products and expand our research pipeline.”
Contributions and Expectations
Meyer’s expertise in finance and her extensive background in agricultural businesses are anticipated to bring valuable insights and strategic direction to Biotalys. Kevin Helash, CEO of Biotalys, noted, “Laura’s financial expertise, business acumen, and excellent communications skills will allow her to make immediate and critical contributions to Biotalys, and we look forward to her engagement with the company.”
Meyer herself shared her excitement about her new role, “I am excited and honored to join the board of Biotalys. I am passionate about agriculture and the demand for novel, sustainable solutions, like those offered by the AGROBODY technology platform, has never been greater.”
Regulatory Compliance and Future Steps
Meyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri-Columbia and began her career as a CPA with Deloitte. She fulfills the requirements of an independent director, and her appointment will be up for confirmation at the next shareholders meeting in accordance with the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations.
Biotalys Latest News
Forge Alliance With Novonesis for Sustainable Crop Protection (2024/03/19)
Biotalys has partnered with Novonesis to bring to market EVOCA NG, their first biofungicide. The collaboration includes the production, global supply, and certain rights to commercialize EVOCA NG, marking a milestone in sustainable crop protection. Novonesis’ investment aims to expand production capacity significantly and ensure the global commercialization of EVOCA NG. The partnership extends to the distribution and sale of EVOCA NG for select crops outside the United States. EVOCA NG is designed to combat fungal diseases like Botrytis and powdery mildew.
Strategic Advancements in Sustainable Crop Protection (2024/02/22)
Biotalys, an AgTech company, has disclosed its financial results for 2023 and shared plans for 2024. The company shifted to the AGROBODY 2.0 platform to enhance its bioactive agents. Biotalys also formed a partnership with Syngenta and has made progress in pipeline programs like BioFun-4, BioFun-6, BioFun-7, and BioIns-2. The company has a cash balance of €21.6 million and has extended its financial runway until the end of April 2025.
New Academic Collaboration In The US & Europe (2024/02/08)
Biotalys has academic collaborations with leading researchers in plant pathology in Europe and the U.S. They are developing biocontrols to protect crops from pests and diseases and have initiated the BioFun-4 R&D program to develop a biofungicide against Phytophthora infestans. Biotalys has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the University of Aberdeen and has also announced two new academic collaborations related to BioFun-7, its ongoing R&D program in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Carlo Boutton is excited about these collaborations and believes that they will help build on the strong scientific foundation of the company’s programs and technology.
EVOCA™’s Promising Results In U.S. Field Trials (2023/12/19)
Biotalys has announced the success of its biofungicide candidate, EVOCA, in independent efficacy field trials for grapevines and strawberries. EVOCA, developed on Biotalys’ AGROBODY platform, offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Trials conducted by the University of California Davis and the University of Florida provided detailed insights into EVOCA’s performance. The Californian Department of Pesticide Regulation is reviewing EVOCA’s regulatory dossier, and swift approval at the state level is contingent on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s federal approval.
Strategic Shift to Biotalys’s AGROBODY™ 2.0 Technology (2023/11/29)
Biotalys is shifting its focus to second-generation AGROBODY™ technology under the leadership of new CEO Kevin Helash. The company has updated its product pipeline and undergone significant organizational changes. Regulatory review of EVOCA™ is underway in the U.S. and E.U. Biotalys is now advancing its AGROBODY™ platform evolution, emphasizing the need for enhanced potency and efficacy of bioactive agents. The company has revised its pipeline to focus on biofungicides and bioinsecticides and has implemented cost management strategies, including a reduction in headcount.
Biotalys Appoints New CEO to Spearhead Next Growth Phase (2023/10/02)
Belgium-based AgTech firm Biotalys has appointed Kevin Helash as its new CEO and Director. Helash will succeed Patrice Sellès by December 2023. Sellès will remain in an advisory role for 30 days. Helash brings over 30 years of experience in the agricultural industry, having previously served as CEO at Marrone Bio Innovations and Agrinos, as well as a VP at Nutrien. The company is preparing to launch its first biocontrol product, Evoca, in the US market.
Biotalys H1 2023 Report: Innovations, Partnerships, and Progress in AgTech Biocontrol Solutions (2023/08/23)
Biotalys, an AgTech company specializing in protein-based biocontrol solutions, has reported its H1 2023 financial results and business achievements. The company highlights advancements in product development, technology, and strategic collaborations. Biotalys partnered with Syngenta to develop a new bio-insecticide and succeeded with its first protein-based biocontrol solution, Evoca. The company has also strengthened its intellectual property rights and secured two additional patents. Biotalys is preparing for the commercial launch of Evoca in 2026, and its emphasis on creating safer tools for sustainable crop protection strategies underlines its mission to address the pressing needs of the agricultural sector.
Biotalys Raises €7 Million Through Private Investment (2023/06/07)
Biotalys NV has secured €7 million through a private investment in a public equity (PIPE) transaction. The transaction involves issuing 1,135,257 new shares, representing approximately 3.67% of the company’s shares outstanding before the transaction. The new shares will be paid for and delivered on Monday, 12th June 2023, after which they will be listed on Euronext Brussels. The funds will be allocated to expanding and advancing the company’s pipeline, platform development, market calibration, and acquiring key talent.
Biotalys’ Evoca Shows Promising Results in Field Trials for Crop Protection (2023/05/31)
AgTech firm Biotalys has revealed positive feedback from its field trials of the biocontrol product Evoca. Over 160 trials were conducted in collaboration with industry players throughout 2022, with the majority focused on using Evoca against Botrytis in grapes. The trials showed that Evoca delivered remarkable results and could serve as a sustainable alternative to chemical applications in IPM programs. The product was also tested on other high-value fruits and vegetables and demonstrated promising results. According to Biotalys, Evoca’s performance and reliability have laid the foundation for an upcoming line of next-generation biocontrols.
Biotalys Announces Douglas Minder to Become CFO (2023/04/15)
Biotalys (Euronext:BTLS) is an Agricultural Technology (AgTech) company that focuses on developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for crop and food protection. The company has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a succession plan under which Douglas Minder will be promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective July 1, 2023. Minder will take over responsibility from Wim Ottevaere, who will continue to serve Biotalys in an advisory capacity after concluding his operational role. This move is part of the company’s growth ambitions, and the management team believes that Minder is an excellent choice for the role.
Biotalys Reports Its FY 2022 Results & Achievements (2023/02/28)
Biotalys, an agtech company specializing in biocontrols, reported its financial results for 2022. The company achieved significant progress in key areas, including establishing partnerships, breakthroughs in production, and obtaining regulatory approvals for its first bio-fungicide product, Evoca. Biotalys plans to launch the commercial version of Evoca in Europe in 2026 and expects its next generation to enter the market by 2026. The company’s pipeline of product candidates also progressed as planned, and new appointments were made to support its growth. The complete financial report will be published on Biotalys’ website on March 24, 2023.
Read their financial results here.
Biotalys Advances Manufacturing of Biocontrol Product Evoca (2023/01/26)
Biotalys has improved the production efficiency of Evoca’s bioactive ingredient by 50 to 70% in a year, by developing multiple proprietary yeast strains. Evoca is a bio fungicide that controls fungal diseases in various crops and has shown strong performance over 600 independent and company-driven field & greenhouse trials. Protein-based biocontrols like Evoca can increase production efficiency by 50 to 70% in only one year, reducing production costs and clearing the path to a market entry that is economically viable. Subject to regulatory clearance by the U.S. EPA, Evoca will initially be distributed in a handful of states in the U.S. while a commercial version is expected for 2026. Biotalys plans to further expand its I.P. portfolio and develop Evoca and its pipeline of biocontrols to substitute chemical pesticides.
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