Key Takeaways
- Debra Frimerman named Chief Legal Officer of Pivot Bio following the departure of Devang Shah
- Brings over 20 years of legal and business development experience across the AgTech sector
- Will lead legal, compliance, and governance functions during Pivot Bio’s scale-up and expansion
- Previously served as Pivot Bio’s Chief Business Development Officer
- Past roles include leadership positions at Calyxt, Cibus, and Syngenta
Debra Frimerman to Oversee Legal Strategy and Governance at Pivot Bio
Pivot Bio (Profile) has announced the appointment of Debra Frimerman as its new Chief Legal Officer, a role in which she will lead the company’s legal, compliance, and governance operations. Frimerman steps into the position following the departure of Devang Shah, who is leaving the company to pursue a new opportunity.
Frimerman will report directly to CEO Chris Abbott and remain part of Pivot Bio’s executive leadership team. Her new role will include oversight of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, legal risk management, and regulatory strategy during a period of continued growth across North America and global markets.
Leadership Experience in AgTech and Legal Affairs
Before taking on the legal leadership role, Frimerman served as Pivot Bio’s Chief Business Development Officer, contributing to the company’s strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives. Her appointment draws on more than two decades of legal experience across agriculture and life sciences sectors.
“Debra is a trusted leader who understands both the letter of the law and the ambitions of a high-growth, science-driven company,” said Abbott. “Her experience navigating complex transactions, coupled with her track record of delivering strategic partnerships, makes her the ideal chief legal officer for Pivot Bio as we enter our next chapter of growth and innovation.”
Previous Roles at Calyxt, Cibus, and Syngenta
Prior to Pivot Bio, Frimerman held several senior legal roles:
- General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer at Calyxt, where she led legal operations and helped facilitate the merger with Cibus
- Associate General Counsel at Syngenta, serving as head of legal for Syngenta Seeds and playing a key role in global technology licensing
- Earlier in her career, she was a corporate lawyer at Stoel Rives and Lindquist & Vennum
She has advised on numerous public and private securities transactions totaling over $1 billion and has been involved in board-level governance and intellectual property strategy.
Educational Background and Continuing Impact at Pivot Bio
Frimerman holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota (magna cum laude) and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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