The minds behind ArcticZymes Technologies
We, at ArcticZymes Technologies, are aware of the critical role enzymes play in research, diagnostics and therapeutics. This understanding drives our team of highly dedicated scientists and experienced managers to work with passion and dedication at the highest level to exceed the expectations of our partners.
The management team
Michael B. Akoh, CEO
Michael Benjamin Akoh (born 1973) joined ArcticZymes as CEO on September 18th, 2023. He has more than 20 years of global experience from the Life Science industry within the IVD, Medical Devices and CRO segments. Michael B. Akoh has had senior roles in both larger cooperations as well as in start-up and scale-up organisations. Most recently he was CCO at Pre Diagnostics and before that he was active as Managing Director of Wieslab AB, where he successfully scaled and grew the existing business as well as led the establishment of a new pharma services business area. Earlier on in his career he worked with commercialization of several successful solutions at Dako (Agilent) and Oticon (Demant). Mr. Akoh has a M.Sc. from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) in International Management and Marketing. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Akoh: 0. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Akoh: 0
Børge Sørvoll, CFO
Børge Sørvoll (born 1975) assumed the position as CFO on Oct 1, 2014. He has previous experience from the position as SCM Manager at Subsea 7, and before that as CFO in Front Exploration and as Managing Director of Troms Kraft Invest. Børge holds a "Siviløkonom" degree in Finance from the University of Wyoming. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Sørvoll: 95,428. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Sørvoll: 180,000
Dr. Darren Ellis, CSO
Dr Darren Ellis (born 1972) holds a PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of Dundee, and BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of York. He did his postdoctoral work at Dept. of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, and holds several patents relating to functional immobilization of biomolecules and nucleic acid sample preparation. Darren has extensive industry R&D experience from Thermo Fisher Scientific acting as Sr. R&D Manager/Program Manager and Sr. Product Manager developing technology and solutions linked to the Licensing and Commercial Supply division to drive OEM/B2B sales to major global diagnostics companies. Specifically, he developed solutions for automated viral diagnostics and worked as product manager for Dynabeads M280 used in more than 1 billion human IVD tests per year. Earlier in his career, he was one of the original scientific team at Solexa Ltd. developing ‘next-generation sequencing’ technology. Solexa was later acquired by Illumina and the technology further commercialised to become the market dominant NGS system. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Ellis: 0. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Ellis: 100,000.
Dirk Hahneiser, VP of Business Development and Marketing
Dirk Hahneiser (born 1968) joined ArcticZymes in 2022 as VP of Business Development and Marketing. He brings with him a wealth of commercial and marketing experience from Johnson & Johnson, Ecolab and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Prior to joining ArcticZymes, Dirk was the Head of Sales for the OEM Laboratory Products Business at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Director of Commercial Operations and Key Accounts at Ecolab and Business Unit Director at Johnson & Johnson. He holds a Master's of International Business and a B.S. Degree in Management from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Hahneiser: 150. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Hahneiser: 0.
Dr. Marit Sjo Lorentzen, VP Operations
Dr Lorentzen (born 1968) was granted a Dr Scient degree in Biotechnology from University of Tromsø in 2005. She joined the company (Biotec Pharmacon) as a Sr. Research Scientist in 2011 and holds the position as Director of Operations since 2020. She has extensive work experience within laboratory operations, management and research. She is employee elected to The Board of Directors in ArcticZymes Technologies. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Lorentzen: 20,331. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Lorentzen: 115,000.
Dr. Jeremy Gillespie, VP Corporate Development
Grethe Ytterstad, VP Regulatory Affairs
Grethe Ytterstad (born 1973) holds a Cand. Scient degree in Biology from The Arctic University of Norway. She rejoined ArcticZymes in June 2021 as QA and Regulatory Manager, and as of July 1st, 2023, she has taken on the role of VP Regulatory Affairs. Prior to her return to ArcticZymes, Grethe held the position of QA Manager at the Diagnostic Laboratory "Laboratoriemedisin" within the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN). She initially joined ArcticZymes (Biotec Pharmacon) in 2002, as a Process Engineer, where she later transitioned into QA. Her extensive knowledge in QA Management within the Diagnostics and Pharma sectors are reflected in her broad regulatory experience. She is well-versed in various regulations and standards, including GMP, MDR, IVDR, Blood and Cell Regulation, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, ISO 15189, ISO 9001, and ISO 17025.
Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Ytterstad: 7.269. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Ytterstad: 0
Dr. Olav Lanes, VP R&D and Applications
Dr Lanes (born 1972) was granted a Dr Scient degree in molecular biology from University of Tromsø in 2000. He joined the company (Biotec Pharmacon) as a researcher the same year and the position as Director of R&D and Applications since in 2016. Olav has extensive experience in innovation management and product development. Dr. Lanes is inventor and co-inventor of eight patent- or pending patent families, all today part of the IPR assets in the company. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Lanes: 2000. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Lanes: 100,000.
The board of directors
Dr. Marie Ann Roskrow, Chairman
Dr. Roskrow gained a BSc (Hons), MBBS (Hons) degree and a PhD in Immunology from the University of London. She has more than 25 years of experience as a physician / medical researcher, investment banker, CEO and chairperson in both private and listed companies such as the GSF Research Institute (Munich), Patrys Ltd (Melbourne), Imevax (Munich) and Lazard Healthcare Investment Banker (New York, San Francisco, Sydney). During her 8 years at Lazard, Marie executed a wide-range of complex strategic transactions including: mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and asset divestitures. Additionally she was involved in the execution of > 50 financing deals including: IPOs, capital raisings and structured debt. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr. Roskrow: 0. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr. Roskrow: 200,000
Jane Theaker, Director
Jane Theaker has a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from Manchester University and an MSc in Biomedical Science from Manchester Metropolitan University. She has over 25 years experience in Diagnostics and Pharma, having co-invented a technology that was later spun out to create DxS which was acquired by QIAGEN in 2009 for $130M. She trained in the NHS and worked at Astrazeneca evaluating novel genetic technologies for drug discovery and development. At QIAGEN she lead a team of scientists who were responsible for the successful delivery of several FDA approved companion diagnostic products and went on to head up the technology office, with technology horizon-scanning responsibilities. Jane went on to become VP of Genomics at LGC (the Laboratory of the Government Chemist) in 2015. Jane is currently CEO of PBD Biotech Ltd. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Theaker: 10.044. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Theaker: 0
Edgar Koster, Director
Edgar Koster has a long history in Ferring Pharmaceuticals where he worked as a Senior VP Global Business for 13 years. Mr. Koster is a result driven international executive with more than 30 years of experience in the Life Science industry as well within Food and Beverage. He has a successful track record in executive management, finance, treasury, controlling, M&A and business development. Mr. Koster has deep experience in change management processes. Strong analytical and strategic skills to apply to complex business situations.
Personal skills include drive for results, outstanding negotiation skills, strong contractual and financial expertise and excellent collaboration and people management skills. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr. Koster: 0. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mr . Koster: 0
Dr. Bernd Striberny, Director - employee elected
Dr. Striberny holds a Diploma degree in Biology from the University of Kiel in Germany and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Bernd has extensive work experience in biodiscovery of novel enzymes and molecular biology techniques. In his position as a Research Manager his responsibilities at ArcticZymes Technologies lie within personnel management, research, biodiscovery and development of new enzyme prototypes. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr. Striberny: 200. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Dr Striberny: 0
Lill-Hege Henriksen, Observer – employee elected
Lill Hege Henriksen holds a chemist engineering degree in Biotechnology from Høgskolen in Nord-Trøndelag, a Cand.mag degree from the University of Tromsø and an MBA from the University of Nordland in Bodø.
She worked in several laboratories at the University of Tromsø and University hospital before joining ArcticZymes in 2011, while finishing the MBA master’s degree. In 2012, she started full time in the marketing and sales department. She has been doing all order handling in ArcticZymes the last 10 years and know customers well. Number of shares in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Henriksen: 3,088. Number of options in ArcticZymes Technologies held by Mrs. Henriksen: