About us
Leadership Team
Alfred Zimmerman
President & CEO
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Al brings a wealth experience from the biotech and animal feed additive industries to Axitan. He was previously with Novus International from 2015–2023 which culminated in his leading innovation growth strategy, business development, acquisitions and alliances. Prior to Novus, Mr. Zimmerman established and led the Dietary Supplement Finished Format Business at DuPont (now IFF). During his tenure at DuPont, which was focused on the development of probiotics for humans and animals, he oversaw the development of the probiotic manufacturing platform within the US and the finished format manufacturing platform globally. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, an MBA from Texas Christian University and an Executive Certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr Kane Miller
Founder & CIO
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Dr Kane Miller obtained his Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Biochemical Engineering from University College London (UCL) having earned a Master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering from the same academic institution - a leading UK and European biotech research centre. It was during his postdoctoral research studies into the commercial applications of algal biotechnology as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UCL that the genesis for the concept of applying endolysin biotechnology to manage pathogens in animal agriculture was formed. Dr Kane Miller subsequently authored and co-authored two successful Innovate UK government grant proposals that initially funded the business and spearheaded the development of Axitan’s first products and initial drive into the US poultry market. As the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), Kane is responsible for the ongoing development of Axitan’s endolysin delivery platform and Axitan’s product pipeline focusing on delivering material performance benefits to the livestock industry.
Guillermo Zavala Vargas
Vice President Sales & Marketing
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Guillermo brings a wealth of experience from the feed additives industry to Axitan. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and has a Certification in Advanced Marketing from the University of Mannheim, Germany. He spent 24 years working for Evonik in a range of commercial and managerial positions. His experience covers the United States, Germany, Mexico and countries in the Americas. He has successfully managed multinational commercial and technical teams focused on essential and specialty products for both monogastrics and ruminants. His last role prior to joining Axitan was Director of Sales for the Americas with Eastman Animal Nutrition restructuring the sales activity of its essential nutrients for poultry and swine.
Dr Francisco Navarro
CSO
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Francisco is a molecular biologist with extensive experience in cell physiology and gene expression regulation of eukaryotic microorganisms. He carried out a PhD in methylotrophic yeast, and postdoctoral work in fission yeast and in the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, for which he developed tools for synthetic biology and biotechnology. Francisco has worked in a number of prestigious institutions, such as The Rockefeller University (US), Cancer Research UK and the University of Cambridge (UK), and brings broad scientific experience to the Axitan team. At Axitan, he streamlined strain construction and characterization, and implemented fast robust assays for product development. Francisco leads the R&D team to improve and expand Axitan’s product portfolio. In addition, he has been involved in the design and execution of the regulatory and IP strategies of the company, and has co-authored a successful Innovate UK grant.
Our Board
Alfred Zimmerman
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Al brings a wealth experience from the biotech and animal feed additive industries to Axitan. He was previously with Novus International from 2015–2023 which culminated in his leading innovation growth strategy, business development, acquisitions and alliances. Prior to Novus, Mr. Zimmerman established and led the Dietary Supplement Finished Format Business at DuPont (now IFF). During his tenure at DuPont, which was focused on the development of probiotics for humans and animals, he oversaw the development of the probiotic manufacturing platform within the US and the finished format manufacturing platform globally. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, an MBA from Texas Christian University and an Executive Certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Kane Miller
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Dr Kane Miller obtained his Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Biochemical Engineering from University College London (UCL) having earned a Master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering from the same academic institution - a leading UK and European biotech research centre. It was during his postdoctoral research studies into the commercial applications of algal biotechnology as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UCL that the genesis for the concept of applying endolysin biotechnology to manage pathogens in animal agriculture was formed. Dr Kane Miller subsequently authored and co-authored two successful Innovate UK government grant proposals that initially funded the business and spearheaded the development of Axitan’s first products and initial drive into the US poultry market. As the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), Kane is responsible for the ongoing development of Axitan’s endolysin delivery platform and Axitan’s product pipeline focusing on delivering material performance benefits to the livestock industry.
Alan Temple
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Alan is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience in a broad range of business functions within the fresh produce industry. He has over 10 years experience as a successful President and COO, where he was responsible for strategic planning, business plan development and implementation, full P&L responsibility, recruiting and development, and capital expenditure management including design and construction of two state of the art processing facilities. He is a proven leader with the highest ethics and integrity and track record of success.
Mark Deleo
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Mark joined the B&W Quality Growers advisory board in 2010 and became CEO in September, 2012. Prior to joining B&W, Mark had a successful 25-year business advisory career working with startups to Fortune 100 companies and serving in a variety of capacities from a business advisory role to interim management positions of CEO, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer. Mark began his business advisory career in the late 1980’s, spending 10 years with Proudfoot-Crosby Consulting, an international leader in productivity and quality management consulting. His focus the past 10 years prior to joining B&W was working with PE firms and banks, successfully completing over 20 assignments. Mark has significant international experience, having worked in North America, Central America, Asia, and Europe
Douglas Ell
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Douglas Ell brings a wealth of legal expertise and insight to the Axitan Board. A leading authority in employment and commercial law, he has spent over three decades at Groom Law Group contributing expertise in ERISA, litigation, and legal research to support complex collectively bargained benefit plans for NFL players.
Let’s talk
We’re harnessing the precision power of endolysins to develop the next generation of antibiotic-free solutions—targeted, fast, effective. Join us in redefining how the world addresses bacterial challenges.
Email
info@axitan.com
US (head office)
Axitan Inc
25 Madico Dr, Comer, GA 30629
UK
Axitan Research UK Limited
Ground Floor, 1 Arlington Court,
Whittle Way, Stevenage SG1 2FS