Key Takeaways:
- SOLASTA® Bio has appointed three senior professionals across operations, product development, and regulatory affairs to support its UK and US expansion.
- Emma Axelson joins as Chief of Staff, bringing 25+ years of experience to support strategic planning and operational management.
- Jim Cink is appointed Global Head of Product Development, with a background at major agchem companies including Bayer, BASF, and Indigo Ag.
- Solito Sumulong joins as Regulatory Affairs Manager, focusing on regulatory approvals in the US and international markets.
- The appointments follow SOLASTA® Bio’s $14M Series A round and recent EPA classification, positioning the company to accelerate commercialization of its green insecticide technologies.
SOLASTA® Bio Appoints New Leadership to Accelerate Growth and Market Readiness
SOLASTA® Bio, a UK-based company developing green insecticides, has announced the appointment of three senior industry professionals to support its expansion and commercialization strategy across the UK and US markets. The hires come as the company moves toward the market introduction of its proprietary peptide-based insecticide technologies.
The additions to the leadership team are aimed at strengthening strategic execution, product development, and regulatory navigation during this critical growth phase.
Senior Appointments Across Key Business Areas of SOLASTA® Bio
Operations, Product Strategy, and Regulatory Expertise
- Emma Axelson joins as Chief of Staff, based in Scotland. She will support CEO Shireen Davies with strategic planning, communications, operations, and high-priority initiatives. Axelson has over two decades of experience in business operations, commercial strategy, and stakeholder engagement, most recently serving as a strategic adviser and interim COO in the nutrition and communications sectors.
- Jim Cink takes on the role of Global Head of Product Development, based in the US. With a career spanning Bayer, BASF, FMC, and Indigo Ag, Cink brings over 25 years of expertise in crop protection, product commercialization, and sustainable agriculture. He will work with Chief Strategy Officer Paula Pinto to implement SOLASTA® Bio’s go-to-market plan.
- Solito Sumulong joins as Regulatory Affairs Manager, also based in the US. He will oversee product registrations and ensure compliance across SOLASTA® Bio’s target markets. Sumulong brings 20+ years of regulatory experience with biologicals and synthetic crop inputs, having held roles at AgriThority, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Provivi.
Positioning for Market Launch Following Series A and EPA Classification
Progress in Regulatory and Intellectual Property Milestones
The leadership expansion follows SOLASTA® Bio’s $14 million oversubscribed Series A funding round in September 2024. Since then, the company has secured its first patent grant and received a favourable classification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identifying its lead peptide candidates as “biochemical-like.” This classification is expected to streamline the regulatory process and reduce time to market.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Emma, Jim, and Solito to the team at this pivotal moment,” said Shireen Davies, CEO of SOLASTA® Bio. “Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we scale operations and bring our green insecticide technologies closer to market.”
SOLASTA® Bio: Advancing Green Insecticide Innovation
SOLASTA® Bio is developing peptide-based insecticides designed to provide crop protection without the use of synthetic chemicals. Its technology aims to offer targeted efficacy with reduced environmental impact, aligning with evolving agricultural and regulatory standards for sustainable pest control.
With expanded leadership and recent regulatory and funding milestones, the company is positioning itself for its next phase of growth and commercial engagement in key global markets.
