FOOD SYSTEMS

Arnaud is a growth-focused senior executive and CEO with solid credentials in operational as well as strategic functions in the pharma, medical devices, diagnostics and laboratory supplies industries.

Combining strong analytical skills with strategic vision and an extensive international experience on all continents, he is capable of formulating and executing successful international growth strategies and go-to-market value propositions. He brings to NEMIS Technologies a wide and balanced mix of competences; from business modelling and product development to commercial leadership expertise through international alliances and licensing deals, from business processes design to P&L management focused on the delivery of key financial and strategic objectives. He holds a Master in International Business from the Sorbonne University in Paris, an MBA from Ashridge School of Management (UK) and attended recently the Strategic Finance program at IMD business school in Lausanne.

Mario is a trained scientist with an entrepreneurial mindset. As an ETH Zurich graduate from the group of food microbiology, he brings an extensive expertise in the detection of foodborne pathogens. Experienced in the supervision of scientific projects, he has worked in multinational teams in Germany, Great Britain and Italy before moving to Switzerland in 2013. His background in molecular sciences combined with microbiology has led him to join Nemis to lead the R&D of the pathogen identification portfolio.

“The NEMIS project is adding a new pillar to microbiological detection with the potential to simplify processes and make cost effective solutions available locally around the world. This attractive mission drew me into joining the founding team”

Dr. Urs Breitenstein is a corporate finance and M&A professional with 20 years of experience. He works as part time CFO and Co-founder for NEMIS Technologies AG.

Before co-founding Hoffmann & Partner, Dr. Breitenstein worked for Basler Kantonalbank, PricewaterhouseCoopers and, most recently, for Deloitte in Zurich, where he was a partner and team leader. He developed the valuation and business modelling team in Switzerland and was simultaneously responsible for the mergers and acquisitions department, where he led the life science industry group. Dr. Breitenstein has also worked on several international projects, providing him with outstanding expertise in complex cross-border assessments and corporate transactions. Dr. UrsBreitenstein studied at the graduate school of the Swiss National Bank in Gerzensee and holds a doctorate in economics (Dr. rer. pol.) from the University of Basel.

Daniel is a passionate engineer with a MSc in Microengineering and a CAS in Management of Biotech, Medtech and Pharma Ventures from the EPFL in Switzerland. In his past, he has developed mechanics, electronics and software for autonomous robots, worked on an arm-exoskeleton for the European Space Agency, was co-founder of a startup for aerial photography with drones, scaled-up digital 3D printing technologies for hearing aids, built manufacturing lines for pacemakers and was responsible for the end-to-end supply chain of an implantable pump to treat refractory ascites. He has 14 years of working experience in the medical device industry as a process owner, project- and team leader, consultant, production- and supply chain manager. As the member of a business angel network, Daniel is a seed investor of NEMIS since 2018 and he joined the company as Head of Operations in February 2020.

“I was fascinated by this lean startup and the straightforward business plan. NEMIS is launching a great technology platform in a growing market waiting for new solutions. Hygiene monitoring in the food industry and antibiotic resistance testing in clinical diagnostics are very important missions in a more and more globalized world. I am proud to be part of this endeavor.”

Franzisca holds a bachelor in economics from the University of St.Gallen and has a passion for addressing environmental and human issues in a holistic way.

In 2014, Franzisca founded and is since managing the organization “Lotus for Laos” (www.lotusforlaos.org), a social project with the purpose of enabling Laotian orphans to study at a local university. For about two years, she previously worked for the insurance Swiss Life, gaining insights and expertise in the areas of event management and marketing. She joined NEMIS in October 2018, inspired to further contribute to making this world a safer place.

Sophie Olvany is an international affairs student at the University of St. Gallen with an interest in sustainable development. She previously gained insight into the area of marketing at US non-profit ChangingThePresent, a start-up dedicated to popularizing donations to a variety of charitable causes as a replacement for traditional gifts. She joined NEMIS in December 2019 with the aim of making a contribution to food safety worldwide.

Michelle is currently studying Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen and has already been able to put her gained knowledge to work. For 1.5 years she worked as a student trainee at UBS in the Global Family Office unit (formerly UHNW) and gained experience in organizing and coordinating through a multi-stakeholder approach. She was able to establish valuable contacts in the industry and launch projects related to sustainable and impact investing through her own initiative.

Michelle has a keen interest in global issues such as nutrition, energy transition, inequality and politics which is also evident in her passion for books. Through her curiosity, her experience and knowledge she would like to have a positive impact in her life.

Michaela is an accomplished global supply chain executive with 15 years of progressive experience providing exceptional leadership and strategic solutions to maximize profits while decreasing operational expenses. She has helped some of the world’s leading companies and many middle-market companies improve their supply chains. She brings extensive cross-functional expertise in purchasing, international trading, supply chain service and gained deep insights into the consumer electronics, automotive, plastic, rail, chemical, tool & medical device industries to the table. Furthermore, Michaela has experience in real estate development, B2B internet platforms, logistics, integrated process improvement, supplier performance management, and international outsourcing. She holds a Bachelor of International Business law.

“NEMIS is a fantastic team of dedicated people with a shared vision of creating a new class of solutions for faster, cost-effective food testing in the future. Food sanitation and hygiene in food processing and manufacturing facilities have become topics of the highest priority within the industry, which is why I am proud to be part of NEMIS team.”

Claudia completed her Master’s in Microbiology at the University of Zurich, after which she started working in quality control and quality systems for several food producers. Her primary focus has been implementing strategies that guarantee safe food while keeping a consumer-oriented mindset. Claudia has extensive experience achieving ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, and BRC standard requirements across whole companies. Furthermore, she is well trained in LEAN management and is appreciated for her problem-solving skills. She joined NEMIS in January 2022 as head of quality.

Redouan is a customer centric professional with complementary expertise in translational science, technology commercialization, and business management. Throughout his international career in life sciences, he took on multiple roles and responsibilities including clinical research specialist (Geneva Hospitals), product development scientist (IBE), and sales manager (regenHU). At NEMIS he works towards delivering differentiated solutions that address customers’ specific needs and help advancing the field of bacterial pathogen detection. Redouan earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Chemistry at the university of Fribourg, Switzerland, completed a doctoral dissertation in the Institute of Bioengineering at EPFL, and is a certified project management associate IPMA®️.

Josie is an enthusiastic Sales Manager bringing a range of experience within the microbiology field – from working in QC testing laboratories for both clinical and cosmetic manufacturing facilities, to International Sales positions selling equipment and consumables into food safety, research, aquaculture, pharmaceutical and clinical markets. Josie joined NEMIS from the UK with a degree in Human Biosciences from the University of Plymouth.

Julian is a passionate microbiologist and biotechnologist. He finished his PhD at Eawag/ETH Zurich in 2005 and later carried out numerous application-oriented research projects at the Laboratory for Biomaterials at Empa St. Gallen. In 2015 he joined Biosynth AG in Staad and managed its biolab, since then being involved in R&D projects, biological testing campaigns and problem-solving tasks for customers. At Biosynth Julian had the privilege to contribute right from the beginning heavily to the establishment of the AquaSparkTM technology for luminogenic detection of pathogenic bacteria, which is at the heart of NEMIS. At Biosynth, Julian worked in a GMP and ISO 9001 environment. Over the years Julian acquired broad scientific skills ranging from bacteriology over molecular engineering to materials science and biochemistry. Julian is author or co-author of 25+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and 5 patents. He joined NEMIS in April 2022 as senior lab manager.

Łukasz is curiosity-driven open-minded scientist forging scientific discoveries into practical applications. His whole career revolves around interdisciplinary projects at the edge of chemistry and biology. His main focus are bacteria detection and bacteriophages. He holds a Master degree in Industrial Biotechnology and PhD in Chemistry. Łukasz gained his expertise in various world leading research facilities, such as École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland), Princeton University (USA), Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (France), and Wageningen University & Research (Nederland). He was a holder of Swiss Excellence Government Scholarship and Marie Curie Grant. In his portfolio he has an authorship of over 15 peer-reviewed publications and 3 patents.

Roger Meier is a seasoned early stage entrepreneur and company builder who assisted many start-up and growth companies and projects in their set-up, team building, talent and fund sourcing etc., mainly but not only in the life sciences sector. He is the founder and owner of Clarena Ltd., a company that serves corporates and executives in the fields of corporate finance, change management, coaching and HR. In his earlier career, he consulted mid to large sized multinational companies at Coopers & Lybrand (later PwC) in the field of financial and risk management. In the 80’s, he helped the US investment bank Salomon Brothers Inc. (in the US, UK and Switzerland) to establish a Swiss client base with institutional investors. Previously, he worked in a Geneva private bank in trading and in Private Banking at Swiss Bank Corp. in Basel. He holds a finance degree from the University of Applied Sciences in Basel.

Urs Spitz is a senior executive, entrepreneur and investor. He studied Organic Chemistry and Computer Science in Zürich, Chicago and Boston and has always remained a scientist at heart. Urs authored and co-authored dozens of patents and scientific publications. After his academic education, Urs gained an extensive professional experience as a consultant with Bain & Co. and as a business manager with the international group Mettler Toledo. Since 2004, he is leading the Biosynth group, a fine chemical manufacturer with sites in Switzerland and Slovakia and offices in the US and China. Urs is an active business angel focusing on early stage investments and board member of several innovative biotechnology companies, and now a co-founder of NEMIS Technologies AG.

Since 2015, Frank has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a member of the executive management at Ypsomed, the leading developer and manufacturer of injection and infusion systems for self-medication. He is responsible for global production, supply chain, and QM&RA.Frank has many years of experience in the development and manufacturing of medical devices: former COO and member of management at Nobel Biocare AG, responsible for the global production sites and global supply chain. In the years 2001 to 2012, he held various management functions in the Straumann Group in Switzerland and the US in quality management, production, and development.

After graduating, he started his career at Hoffmann La Roche AG in Basle in the Engineering Department (1990 – 1999). Of German-Swiss dual nationality, he graduated as Dipl. Ing. Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University Karlsruhe followed by further training at the IMD Lausanne and the Harvard Business School (AMP Programme).