Strategic Additions Strengthen Company’s Agriculture and Biotech Expertise, Fuel Ongoing Growth

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. May 4, 2021 -- AgBiome, a leader in developing innovative products from the Earth's microbial communities, today announced Krysta Harden and Alison Lawton have joined AgBiome’s Board of Directors. These appointments strengthen the company’s mission to feed the world responsibly. The appointments will be effective immediately.

Currently, as president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), Krysta Harden leverages experience with agriculture, sustainability, food policy, and the federal government to help fulfill USDEC’s mission to promote dairy exports and enrich the well- being of people, communities, and the planet. Prior to joining the USDEC, Harden was VP External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer at Corteva. Harden has served as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and was the Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Agriculture under Tom Vilsack in the Obama administration.

Alison Lawton joins the AgBiome board with extensive experience leading and operating biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, Lawton was CEO of the microbiome company Kaleido Biosciences, leading the company through a successful IPO. Prior to Kaleido, Lawton was COO for Aura Biosciences, X4 Pharmaceuticals, and OvaScience. Lawton spent two decades of her career at Genzyme, serving in senior management roles during its growth from a small US company to a global commercial organization with over 10,000 employees. Lawton sits on the Boards of several biotech companies, including: ProQR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PRQR), Magenta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MGTA), X4 Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: XFOR), Aeglea BioTherapeutics (NASDAQ: AGLE), and SwanBio.

“Krysta and Alison bring significant industry knowledge and company board expertise to AgBiome,” said Eric Ward, co-CEO and co-founder of AgBiome. “We’re excited for them to join us to help guide our growth.” 

"We are honored to have Krysta and Alison join the Board" said Dr. Marijn Dekkers, Chairman of AgBiome's Board. "Krysta brings a wealth of experience in governmental and legislative aspects of agriculture, and is a strong proponent of the development of more sustainable farming approaches. Alison has a wonderful track record in the Biotech industry, both as operating executive and as board member, having successfully taken several companies through the different stages of growth and scale."