Novo Holdings A/S is pleased to announce the appointment of Tjerk de Ruiter, former CEO of Corbion, as a new member of the Novo Advisory Group.

The appointment of Tjerk de Ruiter further strengthens the competencies of the Novo Advisory Group as Novo Holdings continues to increase its life science investments.

Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings, says: “We are delighted that Tjerk de Ruiter is joining the Novo Advisory Group. Tjerk is an experienced business leader with an impressive track record. He brings knowledge of the bio-industrial sector, which is of core focus to Novo Holdings. The bio-industrial sector offers many exciting investment opportunities and is central to sustainability and the green transition.”

The Novo Advisory Group is an expert panel that supports Novo Holdings in analysing the opportunities and risks associated with its larger investments.

Tjerk de Ruiter served as CEO of Corbion, a world leader in biological solutions, until stepping down in August 2019. During his five years in leadership, the market value of Corbion approximately doubled and the company delivered EUR 1 billion in shareholder value.

Previously, Tjerk de Ruiter served as Chairman and CEO of LS9 Inc., a synthetic biology pioneer of renewable fuels and biochemicals, developing an exit strategy and leading the successful sale of the company to REGI. Furthermore, he has held various leadership positions between 1999-2012 at Dupont and Danisco (acquired by Dupont in 2011).

Tjerk de Ruiter says: “I am very pleased to be joining the Novo Advisory Group. Novo Holdings has an impressive track record and I also look forward to using my experience from the bio-industrial sector to complement the competencies of the other members and to assist Novo Holdings in adding to their investments in this  and other sectors.”

About Tjerk de Ruiter

Dutch/US citizen

Career

2014­–2019      CEO, Corbion, NV

2013–2014      Chairman and CEO, LS9, Inc.

1999–2012      Various leadership positions at Dupont and Danisco

1998–1999      COO, North America, Cultor Foods Science

1984–1998      Quest International

Has served as the chairman of the board of EuropaBio since 2018.

Education

American Graduate School of Int. Management (Thunderbird) Glendale, AZ

• Master of International Management

University Nijenrode, Breukelen, NL

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration