KnipBio Inc., a Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based biotechnology company, has hired Russ Heissner as its senior vice president of business development and operations.
KnipBio’s “Knipbio Meal” product combines immunonutrients with single-cell protein in order to create sustainable feedstocks for aquaculture.
Heissner will be responsible for managing the relationship with KnipBio’s production partner, as well as overseeing supply agreements with feed and aquaculture companies, KnipBio President and CEO Larry Feinberg said in a press release.
“Russ Heissner has spent his career in the industrial fermentation field and is a great addition to KnipBio’s management team,” Feinberg said. “As we move towards commercial scale production and distribution, his industry experience and leadership skills will help guide us towards success.”
Heissner previously worked at Verenium Corporation, where he worked on the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol transportation fuel technology. After Verenium was acquired by BP North America in 2013, he continued as the company’s cellulosics technology platform manager and technology licensing manager.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Heissner was also the first head brewer at Harpoon Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts.
“I am joining the KnipBio team at an extremely exciting time. With our recent production scale-up successes we are entering a new phase of our commercialization plan that focuses on strategic partnerships,” Heissner said. “I look forward to working with world-class aquaculture companies over the coming years to make KnipBio a success.”
