George C. Kapetanakis

Key Responsabilities and Achievements: •Engineered Pichia pastoris workflows that produced bioidentical myoglobin, boosting yield and cutting production costs by over 8×. • Provided strategic scientific guidance directly to executive leadership (CIO and Interim CSO), influencing program prioritization, risk assessment, and alignment with corporate and investor expectations. • Delivered quarterly progress reports to investors as part of the DSM-Firmenich partnership, ensuring transparency and stakeholder confidence. • Authored strain development patent (in preparation) to strengthen IP position and product differentiation. • Led cross-functional R&D projects from concept to CDMO delivery, aligning milestones with regulatory and commercialization goals. • Delivered production strains to CDMOs for FDA/EFSA-aligned recombinant protein manufacturing, enabling scale-up readiness. • Developed regulatory-supporting molecular assays (PCR/qPCR) and contributed data packages for EFSA/FDA dossiers GMP alligned. • Managed technology transfer packages and scientific coordination with DSM-Firmenich, Planetary Europe, and BioGrammatics USA, ensuring smooth execution and scalability. • People manager of R&D team (4+ scientists/technicians), improving workflow execution, collaboration, and accountability. • Trained and onboarded scientific staff in molecular biology workflows (PCR, cell cultures, SDS PAGE, and analytical methods), ensuring standardized execution and operational compliance. • Optimized laboratory operations, inventory, and procurement processes, achieving a 15% reduction in consumables costs and enhanced operational efficiency.

Key Responsabilities and Achievemnts: • Executed hands-on vector design, CRISPR engineering, and transformation strategies to generate stable secreted myoglobin production strains. • Reported directly to the Chief Innovation Officer and Supported fundraising by communicating technology vision and scientific strategy to VCs, contributing to the successful 12.5€ M Series A financing round. • Developed scalable fermentation processes(USP and DSP) in collaboration with external specialists, strengthening process robustness and scale-up readiness (In-Process Control (IPC)). • Established and equipped molecular biology and fermentation laboratories, enabling full in-house R&D capability. • Trained and onboarded scientific staff in molecular biology workflows (PCR, cell cultures, SDS PAGE, and analytical methods), ensuring standardized execution and operational compliance in a GMP aligned environment. • Coordinated technology transfer documentation and scientific alignment with CDMO/CRO partners, including DSM-Firmenich, Planetary (Europe) and BioGrammatics (USA).

Key Responsibilities : • Developed engineered microbial strains for recombinant protein secretion and supported their analytical characterization. • Conducted routine analytical testing (ELISA, SDS-PAGE, chromatography) to assess product quality and process performance. • Supported fermentation process development by correlating analytical outputs with upstream parameters (In-Process Control (IPC) and sampling planning). • Ensured accurate documentation, traceability, and reporting of analytical data in ELN systems. • Contributed to continuous improvement of analytical and fermentation workflows through collaboration across R&D teams.

-Studied the amino acids excretion proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. -Published 3 scientific articles in pre-review journal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0018-3030. -Contributor to the European patent EP4143213A1 on yeast strain engineering for Ethanol production.

During my Master's in Microbial Biotechnology, I specialised in microbial resistance mechanisms, filamentous fungi genetics and bioactive compounds. My research investigated the action and cellular mechanisms of resistance to anti-fungal drugs, contributing to the understanding of microbial physiology using Aspergillus nidulans as model organism. This experience provided me with valuable skills in microbial analysis, molecular biology, and the study of microbial interactions, which I later applied in both professional and research settings. It also led to my first publication in Fungal Genetics and Biology.

During my four-year Biology bachelor’s, I built a solid foundation in general biology and developed a versatile skill set. Microbiology was always my passion and driving force, leading me to focus my thesis on environmental microbiology, exploring bacteria that produce novel antimicrobial compounds for drug discovery. I presented my research at the “BAGECO 13” conference in Milan and attended nine other conferences, delivering poster and oral presentations. As a side project, I contributed to two master’s projects: “Bacteria Isolated from Aspropyrgos Area Capable of Biodegrading Oil” and “Microalgae from Greek Environments: Potential for Biodiesel Production.” These results were presented at the HSBS 2013 conference in Nauplio, Greece. Additionally, I volunteered with NATURA 2000 and engaged in microbiology and GMO projects, gaining hands-on skills in lab techniques and GMO control.

The People Manager is an intensive four-day executive programme that equips you with practical tools and insights to lead and motivate teams more effectively. You’ll learn how to attract and retain the right people, support career development, communicate and coach with impact, and link motivation to performance, all aimed at boosting team performance and engagement. The course blends real-world cases, discussions and hands-on exercises so you can return to your role with confidence and immediately apply what you’ve learned.