NewLeaf Symbiotics Recruits Leading Bioinformatics Expert
Ag Biotech Company Sharpens Genomics Focus
Saint Louis, MO, May 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - NewLeaf Symbiotics, a company commercializing plant health and nutrient technologies that utilize naturally occurring beneficial bacteria, announced today the appointment of Kishore Nannapaneni Ph.D. as its Bioinformatics Lead. Dr. Nannapaneni joins the company from Bayer Biologics where he was a Bioinformatics Scientist. He will work at NewLeaf’s St. Louis facility in the Bio Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center.
“We conducted an extensive national search to identify a candidate with the right mix of skills combining genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics experience,” said Todd Mockler, NewLeaf’s Vice President of Genomics. “Kishore was our first choice. Our ability to recruit top talent to NewLeaf reflects the value inherent in our unique approach linking focused agricultural R&D and field trials to genomics on our Prescriptive Biologics™ platform. Kishore has already contributed to development of our knowledgebase.”
"Our ability to recruit top talent to NewLeaf reflects the value inherent in our unique approach linking focused agricultural R&D and field trials to genomics on our Prescriptive Biologics™ platform. Kishore has already contributed to development of our knowledgebase."
Todd Mockler, NewLeaf's Vice President of Genomics
Dr. Nannapaneni earned his Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Before joining Bayer Biologics he served as a Senior Research Associate at Pioneer HI-Bred and is an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Computational Biology. At NewLeaf Symbiotics he will lead the company’s bioinformatics analysis and data integration program working closely with company scientists, agronomists, and product and business development leads. Mockler added, “Kishore rounds out a strong genomics and bioinformatics group at NewLeaf. We are very happy to welcome him on board.”
Dr. Nannapaneni commented, “I was strongly drawn to the NewLeaf technology and team. It is obvious that biological products have a strong future in agriculture, but you need a good strategy to distinguish yourself from the field. NewLeaf is definitely integrating both genomics and bioinformatics into the platform. There is a clear vision of how biologic technologies can complement plant health and contribute to crop yield. I feel that I can contribute a lot to this very dynamic company.”
About NewLeaf Symbiotics: NewLeaf Symbiotics is a non-GMO biotech company that researches and commercializes beneficial plant bacteria, and is a leading player in the rapidly growing agricultural biologicals space. In 2013 NewLeaf acquired bioinformatics solutions leader Intuitive Genomics, and employs a focused genomics approach to discovery and analysis of plant/microbe interactions. In Q-3, 2014, the company raised its Series B financing of $17M and has recently tripled its R&D footprint at BRDG Park in St Louis, Missouri. NewLeaf is expanding its team to 25 and expects initial product sales in 2016.
About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center: Bio Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life science companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. In addition to providing world-class wet laboratories, office space and a prominent incubator, BRDG Park’s location on the Danforth Center’s campus facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouses, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. Located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, BRDG Park is being developed by Wexford Science +Technology LLC, a BioMed Realty Company, a development company led by a seasoned team of real estate, finance and engineering experts specializing in major university facilities and science research parks nationwide.