Oxford's MoA Technology poised for growth as it hires new CFO and CBO

MoA Technology, the Oxford science park-based agribio firm, has appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO) and chief business officer (CBO) as it continues to advance next-generation herbicides.

New CFO Dr Rob Quinn is an experienced biotech executive, having worked as finance chief at Silence Therapeutics, BenevolentAI, Pharnext and most recently as CFO and interim CEO at Aptamer group.

READ MORE: MoA Technology moves to Oxford Science Park

The company said his appointment also reflected Moa’s use of cutting-edge biotechnology to identify, understand and develop next-generation herbicides.

He has over 10 years’ experience working in the life sciences industry, initially in M&A Advisory at Deloitte, before spending several years at GSK, prior to joining Silence Therapeutics.

He will be based in Oxford.

Meanwhile, Apostolos Klontzaris, who joins as CBO, brings over two decades' experience in the agritech and crop sciences industry, gained at major leaders in the sector, Bayer and Syngenta, as well as at innovative startups.

He will be based at the Research Triangle park in North Carolina, the largest research park in the US, and will help Moa expand its footprint in both North America and Europe and help develop its long-term commercialisation and go-to-market strategy.

He joins from agricultural biotech company Oerth Bio, where he drove strategy and concluded several strategic partnerships with key industry players as senior vice-president, corporate and business development.

Without effective herbicides, farmers can lose up to 40% of their crop yield as a result of weed growth.

The situation is comparable to the threat from antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the efficacy of certain medicines.

Dr Quinn said: "Given my background in biotech, I was quick to see the huge potential in Moa’s approach to the growing problem of herbicide-resistant weeds, and the importance of developing next-generation herbicides at speed."

Klontzaris added: "Moa’s potential to transform crop protection for farmers across the world, its prolific pipeline of potential new herbicides, and the importance of its work amid the threat from resistant weeds give it remarkable potential.

"I look forward to helping the company make the most of that, working with partners and investors to help it change the herbicide landscape."

Dr Virginia Corless, CEO at Moa Technology, said she was delighted to welcome the pair.

"Their experience and track records will be invaluable in driving our commercialisation strategy, strategic development and industry collaborations.

"We are also pleased to be expanding our footprint with a key executive in the United States, who has extensive experience there and in Europe," she said.

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