Enginzyme Appoints Aymeric de Gantès as CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth; Founder Karim Engelmark Cassimjee to Serve as Chief Innovation Officer
Enginzyme AB, a pioneering deep-tech company specializing in sustainable biomanufacturing through cell-free enzyme engineering, has announced a major leadership transition that marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution. The company revealed on Tuesday that Aymeric de Gantès has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Founder and former CEO Karim Engelmark Cassimjee will transition into a newly created strategic role as Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), continuing to shape the company’s technological direction and innovation roadmap.
This leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for Enginzyme, which is preparing to scale its operations and commercialize its proprietary enzyme-based production platform across multiple sectors. The company is poised to capitalize on rising global interest in green chemistry and bio-based manufacturing solutions that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing efficiency or performance.
A Vision for Scalable, Sustainable Innovation
Enginzyme’s core technology, a platform for cell-free enzyme-based manufacturing, is designed to unlock the full potential of biocatalysis without the complexity and limitations of living-cell systems. This allows the company to develop industrially viable, resource-efficient chemical production processes that deliver high yields, reduced energy usage, and fewer toxic byproducts. Its applications span a diverse range of markets, including food and nutrition, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals.
With the appointment of de Gantès, the company signals a new focus on commercial growth and market expansion. His background in scaling innovation in the ingredients industry aligns closely with Enginzyme’s current trajectory.
A Strategic Leadership Transition
Karim Engelmark Cassimjee, who founded Enginzyme and has led it through the initial development and validation of its enzyme platform, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the leadership transition.
“Aymeric is the perfect fit as we position ourselves to accelerate revenue growth,” said Cassimjee. “He brings a proven track record of commercializing precision technologies in regulated markets, particularly in the food and ingredients sector. His success in growing a high-tech internal start-up into a major program within a global enterprise demonstrates his ability to navigate complex ecosystems and drive scale. We are excited to bring that expertise to Enginzyme as we move into our next chapter.”
Cassimjee will continue to play a key leadership role in his new capacity as Chief Innovation Officer. In this position, he will focus on technology strategy, R&D partnerships, and long-term innovation planning—ensuring that Enginzyme maintains its competitive edge in enzyme engineering and process design.
Aymeric de Gantès: A Catalyst for Growth
De Gantès brings with him extensive experience in the global food and ingredients industries. Prior to joining Enginzyme, he served as Global Program Director for Taste Modulation at Ingredion Incorporated, a U.S.-based Fortune 500 food-ingredients company. During his tenure, he was instrumental in leading the development and global deployment of novel taste-modifying ingredients and technologies.
With a career spanning leadership roles in both R&D and business development, de Gantès has consistently focused on bridging the gap between scientific discovery and commercial application. His expertise lies in identifying emerging technologies with disruptive potential and driving them through the complex processes of validation, scale-up, and market integration.
Commenting on his new role, de Gantès expressed enthusiasm for Enginzyme’s unique value proposition and technological maturity.
“Enginzyme’s team has demonstrated that its technology can deliver what it promises—and do so without the burden of a ‘green premium’ or the need for large, resource-heavy up-front investments,” said de Gantès. “Enzyme-based chemistry is rapidly approaching a tipping point across multiple industries. The technology has proven its viability in the lab and pilot scale—now is the time to scale it up and translate it into solutions that serve real-world market needs. I’m honored to join the company at such a pivotal moment.”
Market Readiness and Commercial Potential
Enginzyme has already made significant inroads into several high-value market segments. The company has developed clean, efficient processes in collaboration with global players in sectors such as edible oils, fragrances and flavors, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. These partnerships have served to validate the robustness and flexibility of Enginzyme’s platform in real industrial environments.
Unlike conventional fermentation or synthetic chemistry approaches, Enginzyme’s method allows for precise control over reaction pathways without the constraints of living organisms or the risks associated with toxic intermediates. This reduces costs and environmental impact, while also enabling greater design freedom for complex chemical transformations.
The market for enzyme-enabled manufacturing solutions is expected to expand rapidly in the coming years, driven by tightening environmental regulations, increasing consumer demand for sustainable products, and growing investor interest in green technology. Enginzyme, with its proven technology and scalable platform, is well-positioned to lead in this transformation.
A Vote of Confidence from the Board
The decision to bring in a new CEO was strongly endorsed by Enginzyme’s board of directors, who see de Gantès as the right leader to convert scientific achievement into commercial success.
“In hiring Aymeric de Gantès, the board aims to convert the strength of Enginzyme’s science into significant revenue,” said Chatarina Schneider, Chair of the Board. “We are entering a critical growth phase where execution and scaling are paramount. Aymeric’s background, particularly in translating science into scalable solutions, makes him ideally suited to guide Enginzyme through this phase. We are confident that his leadership will help the company realize its full potential and deliver on its promise of sustainable, efficient biomanufacturing.”
As the global demand for sustainable manufacturing solutions continues to grow, Enginzyme’s transition marks a bold step toward fulfilling that demand at scale. With a unique platform, a clear value proposition, and a renewed leadership structure focused on execution, the company is poised to redefine what’s possible in enzyme-based industrial chemistry.
The combination of Cassimjee’s visionary scientific leadership and de Gantès’ commercial acumen presents a compelling formula for success. Together, they aim to propel Enginzyme from a world-class innovation engine to a global industrial force—delivering clean, efficient, and cost-effective production processes that align with the planet’s most pressing sustainability goals.
