Roslin Technologies, which develops technology for the food, agriculture and veterinary sectors, has appointed Ernst van Orsouw as its new chief executive.
Van Orsouw joins from animal genetics firm Genus, where he was global director of strategy and marketing at its porcine division, Pig Improvement Company (PIC). At Roslin Technologies, where he takes over from executive director and founder Glen Illing, he will lead the company as it seeks new sales and partnerships with industry.
Roslin Technologies, which works closely with the Roslin Institute, has developed an animal stem cell platform for cultivated meat production, alongside cutting-edge genomic breeding techniques.
A short-term focus for the company will be the securing of commercial agreements from cultivated meat companies eager to use its growing portfolio of stem cell lines.
Commenting on his appointment, Ernst van Orsouw said: “Roslin Technologies is the jewel in the crown of Scottish and British Agribusiness, and I am excited to join at this stage in the company’s growth. Over the last few years, the company has built a world-class scientific platform that can fundamentally disrupt key areas of the AgTech industry.
“The commercial potential of Roslin Technologies’ offerings can now be brought to market, from proprietary stem cell lines for cultivated meat and animal health, to genomic breeding programmes for insects and traditional livestock.”
