Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for ArcticZymes Technologies

August 17, 2023 – Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Akoh as the new chief executive officer of ArcticZymes Technologies, a Norwegian life sciences company. Past CEO Jethro Holter stepped down for personal reasons. “We are very fortunate to have engaged Michael as our next CEO,” said Marie Roskrow, ArcticZymes’ chairman of the board. “Coulter Partners ran an excellent search process and we had a number of first-class candidates to choose from. In the end, it was Michael’s leadership experience, strategic approach, and enthusiasm that made him a stand-out. We welcome Michael to ArcticZymes and wish him every success.”
Mr. Akoh is an accomplished business executive with strong leadership experience, and an established reputation in the life sciences sector. He has over 20 years of international experience in general management, business development, and commercialization within the biopharma industry, including senior roles at diagnostic, med-tech, and CRO companies. Mr. Akoh currently serves as chief commercial officer of Pre Diagnostics AS, a Norwegian biotech company developing biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Before that, he was managing director of laboratory services at Wieslab AB, a subsidiary of SVAR Life Science.
“I am delighted to have been appointed to lead ArcticZymes,” said Mr. Akoh. “It is a business with a global presence, a talented team, and a strong reputation as an innovative supplier of novel enzymes. I look forward to engaging with the ArcticZymes team, the board of directors, and our shareholders and to continue to build ArcticZymes into a world-class enzyme company.”
ArcticZymes Technologies is a life sciences company focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel recombinant enzymes for use in molecular research, in vitro diagnostics (IVD), and biomanufacturing. The company has been listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange since 2005 and its headquarters is in Tromsø, Norway.
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Coulter Partners is a board- and senior-level global executive search specialist focused exclusively on life sciences. The firm works closely with those at the cutting edge of innovation in the industry to understand their challenges. With an extensive global network and expertise gained over 25 years in the sector, Coulter Partners is a trusted leadership adviser in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics, health-tech, CRO, and services sectors. The firm also works closely with the global investor community, hiring for their own teams as well as building the boards and executive leadership teams of their portfolio companies. Coulter Partners’ team of 95 completes over 260 assignments a year working from 14 offices across the U.K., EMEA, the U.S., and APAC.
As Investors Retreat, Healthcare/Life Sciences Sector Stays Resilient
Healthcare and life science organizations are facing an increasingly complex landscape, with rapid technological advancements, changing regulatory environments, and heightened public scrutiny. As a result, these companies have been turning to executive search firms more than ever to acquire world-class leadership. The most pressing challenge has been finding high-impact, innovative leaders who can navigate this complex terrain and drive meaningful change.
CEO Bianca Coulter founded Coulter Partners in 2003 and has 25 years’ experience of board and C-level global search, building the leadership teams of early stage, mid-cap, and global multinationals in over 20 countries. Through appointing leadership, Ms. Coulter channels her judgment and expertise to impact patient benefit and assist those at the cutting edge of life science to achieve their goals.
Recent Search
Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Gerben van ‘t Klooster as chief development officer for TargED Biopharmaceuticals in London. “We are thrilled to welcome Gerben to our team at TargED Biopharmaceuticals,” said Kristof Vercruysse, CEO of TargED Biopharmaceuticals. “He brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our efforts to develop our innovative therapy for patients suffering from Thrombosis. This critical hire to TargED was possible thanks to the team at Coulter Partners and their expert knowledge and understanding.”
Dr. van ‘t Klooster is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of experience in drug development and commercialization. He previously served as senior vice president, alliance management after heading Galapagos’ early development portfolio for many years. Dr. van ‘t Klooster also held multiple senior positions in international pharmaceutical and biotech companies Kiadis, Tibotec, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media