Avantium appoints Gunnar Staaf as CEO Pharma

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 16 December 2009 - Today, Avantium announced the appointment of Gunnar Staaf as Chief Executive Officer of its pharmaceutical business. Gunnar Staaf previously worked at Serentis Ltd, Astellas Pharma, Novartis and Eli Lilly & Company, in a range of commercial and executive positions. The appointment is an important step in Avantium's plan to spin-out its pharmaceutical business. The company intends to create a stand-alone pharmaceutical company based on its offering of proprietary crystallization services and systems to customers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector as well as the development of improved forms of existing drugs. After the spin-out of its pharmaceutical business, Avantium will focus on its cleantech and chemicals activities, including its Furanics bioplastics and biofuels program and offering of high-throughput catalysis services & systems.

More info on the press release or Avantium's website.