FOOD SYSTEMS

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”

Thomas is a former CEO and Executive VP at BioChek-Hygiena, where he endorsed a One Health approach in food safety diagnostics. He pioneered the world’s largest DNA-based traceability solution for the food-producing industry while at IdentiGEN. Thomas led key account management and product development at Prionics AG, significantly enhancing their global commercial strategy.

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.”

Cesare has a proven track record of successful market developments and has led numerous projects that have substantially impacted, including collaborations with the Ministry of Health and major veterinary institutes across Italy. He was pivotal in establishing the Italian branch, focusing on market development for bio-security products at Hygiena Italia Srl. As Country Manager at Biochek, he significantly expanded the company’s reach in the Italian veterinary diagnostics market, achieving substantial success with major institutes and companies.  His strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in pioneering efforts at companies such as Prionics Italia and Smith & Nephew, reflecting his capability to adapt and thrive in diverse and challenging environments.

Damien led significant business expansions and strategic launches across Europe, including establishing new operations and go-to-market strategies. Served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for EMEA, where he drove top-line revenue growth and developed a customer-centric culture. Managed multiple high-impact roles at 3M, enhancing sales operations and integrating major acquisitions.

Cyril has held several leadership roles, in which he significantly enhanced operational efficiencies and expanded market presence. His strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in pioneering efforts at companies such as Hygiena, Biocheck, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Prionics, reflecting his capability to adapt and thrive in diverse and challenging environments. His expertise includes managing complex distributor networks and revitalizing business strategies to achieve substantial growth in the healthcare and diagnostics fields.

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.

Sandro is a passionate researcher with a strong focus on practice-based innovation. He studied Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (MSc) at the Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW) in Wädenswil, Switzerland. After graduation, he started working at ZHAW as a Research Associate in the group of Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmacology. There he was in the scientific lead of various research projects in the field of formulation development and quality control with a focus on 3D printing and tableting. One of these formulation projects was the development of a tablet for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in cooperation with NEMIS. This cooperation started in 2019 while since 2022, Sandro has joined the NEMIS team full-time as head of formulation.

Alina is a strategic marketing specialist with a strong and varied background in sales and B2B marketing programs. Alina began her sales & marketing journey in Ukraine in the IT sphere in a list of outsourcing software development companies working as a sales manager. Currently, Alina honed her knowledge of varied marketing programs in CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) such as promotion, direct marketing, and marketing innovations, used in successful conjunction with classic advertising. Since 2019, Alina has been providing clients from IT product development, IT consulting, advertising agencies, crypto startups, and affiliate networks with successful multi-faceted cost-efficient marketing campaigns that heighten awareness, boost sales and provide programs that work.

After his apprenticeship as a microbiology laboratory technician, Simon obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and a Master’s degree in Life Science with a specialisation in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the ZHAW. He carried out his Bachelor’s and Master’s theses in collaboration with NEMIS Technologies AG with the aim of developing and validating various tablet formulations. After completing his Master’s degree, Simon also worked at the ZHAW as a research assistant in the Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmacology Group. There he was primarily responsible for optimising various tablet formulations in collaboration with another start-up (Dropz). Since mid-August, he is now a permanent employee at NEMIS and makes an important contribution in R&D, QC and production.

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.

Thomas is a former CEO and Executive VP at BioChek-Hygiena, where he endorsed a One Health approach in food safety diagnostics. He pioneered the world’s largest DNA-based traceability solution for the food-producing industry while at IdentiGEN. Thomas led key account management and product development at Prionics AG, significantly enhancing their global commercial strategy.

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).

Andrin Waldburger was admitted to PwC Partnership in 1995 and headed the Zurich tax and legal practice. As country service line leader for tax and legal services, he led the No. 1 Swiss tax practice and was a member of the Management Board of PwC from 2003 to 2009. He then served as  Senior Adviser to Deloitte Switzerland and Member of the Executive Committee from 2009 to 2011. Since 2010, Andrin is active as an entrepreneur leveraging his extensive consulting experience. He is the owner of Pearl Management Consulting AG and invested in various industries with a full, majority or anchor shareholding (Manufacturing, Consumer, Services).