ENGAGE:
We're a team of diverse folks passionate about addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.
Invaio Sciences is a multi-platform technology company that unlocks the potential of our planet’s interdependent natural systems to solve pressing agriculture, nutrition & environmental challenges.
We leverage advanced sciences to understand the physiology of insects, and the diverse systems of nature. That understanding of these inner workings gives us a unique angle at reducing the use of pesticides globally. We leverage that knowledge to develop technology that’s mindful of beneficials, bad for pests, and safer for us all.
Simply, we make discoveries by investigating nature. These results inspire solutions to pressing problems in food, its production, our health and that of the planet.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
BASED IN NATURE
We are rooted in nature. Everything we enhance, create, or change we’ve learned from nature.
FUTURE OPTIMISTS
We see infinite possibilities in nature. We’re not bound by previous limitations, and thinking of the past.
STUDENTS OF NATURE
We always stay curious because nature always has something to teach us.
UNRELENTING INNOVATORS
It’s only by embracing risks that we will actually solve the world’s biggest problems.
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
We live outside of category silos. This allows us to reveal the connections that others cannot see.
LENS BEYOND THE HORIZON
Looking at what we do today from the view of tomorrow – to understand true impacts.
OUR LINEAGE
Invaio was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering. Since the beginning we’ve built a diverse team with world-class capabilities and framed it around multidisciplinary sciences with systems thinking.
Our multi-platform technologies leverage breakthroughs from diverse fields including human therapeutics, agriculture, environmental science, and advanced manufacturing. We have vast industry experience ranging from agriculture, food systems, engineering, technology, biology, and ecology.
Together, we’re unbounded in our approach, and tireless in our effort to harness the possibilities nature provides to rebuild a flourishing planet where all can thrive. We continue to think long-term and strive to create teams that are greater than the sum of their individual parts.
We set to inspire new ideas, promote experimentation and support highly-motivated individuals for success in taking on some of the biggest problems facing humanity.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Seth Benson
Seth joined Invaio in January 2022 as Senior Vice President, Finance and is responsible for leading Invaio’s finance function. He began his career in technology consulting at Accenture then spent several years in investment banking at firms including Morgan Stanley and Bank of America where he advised clients on capital raises, acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to joining Invaio, Seth held multiple finance, strategy and operational executive leadership roles in the healthcare and life sciences spaces. Most recently, at Akoya Biosciences, he played a pivotal role in scaling key functions including IT, Operations and Finance, and guided the company through its initial public offering. Seth has a BS from Duke and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Doug Boyes, Ph.D.
Doug Boyes has assumed Yajie’s former responsibilities as Head of Research, including leadership of Invaio’s research platform technologies (Discovery, PEx, ADAS, and iLabs), our R&D functional teams in Cambridge, MA, (Analytical Chemistry, Process Development, Assay Development, Formulation, and R&D Operations), and our laboratory and greenhouse testing operations in Research Triangle Park, NC. Doug joined Invaio in May of 2021 as Head of Biological Delivery Systems (PEx and ADAS). Prior to joining Invaio he spent nearly 25 years in agricultural research, including over 10 years with Monsanto and shorter periods with a range of early-stage companies (EnkoChem, GreenLight Biosciences, Paradigm Genetics).
Peleg Chevion
Mr. Chevion has spent his career closing gaps in the global agri-food value chain. Prior to joining Invaio in 2020, Peleg was President and Chief Commercial Officer of Blendhub, a global leader in powder-based food and ingredients production. Before Blendhub, Peleg worked with private equity firms focused on consolidation in agri-food. During 2008-2015, Peleg was an executive at Syngenta where he led the Abiotic Stress Management indication across the spectrum of chemical, biological, genetics and digital platforms. Peleg began his career as an officer in the Israeli Air Force, leading aerospace technology projects and later in diverse roles in the Israeli startup ecosystem. Peleg graduated from the IDF Computer Academy, he holds an LL.B from Tel Aviv University, an MBA from INSEAD and is a licensed Israeli attorney.
Kevin Flynn
Kevin Flynn joined Invaio Sciences as Chief People Officer in June of 2021, focusing on creating a contemporary working environment allowing people to do their best work. Prior to joining, Kevin was Global Head of Human Resources at Sanofi Genzyme where he led all people activities for the Oncology and Dermatology Global Business Units. Kevin brings extensive leadership experience in Learning and Organizational Development having held various roles of increasing responsibility at AstraZeneca, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals and Boston Heart Diagnostics. Kevin holds degrees from the University of Maine in Agricultural Economics and Resource Management.
Kirsty James
Kirsty joined Invaio as Chief Communications Officer in 2022. Prior to joining, Kirsty held various leadership roles at Syngenta, most recently as Head of Corporate Communication and member of the Business Sustainability Leadership Team. Kirsty has extensive experience in corporate brand development, campaign management, sustainability communications and issues management. Earlier in her career she held marketing and communications management roles in Automotive Retail at Coles Myer and Building Materials at CSR in Australia. Kirsty holds an executive MSc in Communication Management from Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland.
Ignacio Martinez
Ignacio joined Flagship Pioneering in early 2013 to lead the sustainability activities of the firm. In addition to being CEO & President of Invaio Sciences, Ignacio is co-founder and founding CEO of CiBO Technologies, Inari Agriculture, Senda Biosciences, and founding director at Indigo Agriculture. Prior to joining Flagship, Ignacio was a founding member and managing director of Syngenta Ventures. During his tenure at Syngenta, Ignacio was directly involved in corporate strategy and led multiple venture capital investments in agribusiness, biotechnology, and sustainability companies in Europe, North America, and Latin America.
Linda Nel
Linda joined Invaio in 2021 as Senior Director, Global Portfolio Management. Linda’s career has spanned international marketing and strategy roles in Nestlé/General Mills, Diageo, MercadoLibre, and Thomson before moving into agriculture at Syngenta in 2006. There she held marketing, strategy, and portfolio management leadership roles in EAME Crop Protection, Global Flowers, Financial Solutions, and Global Seedcare. Linda has an MA and BA from Stanford and an MBA from INSEAD.
Yajie Niu, Ph.D.
Yajie Niu has transitioned from her role as Head of Research and is now leading Invaio’s external technology sourcing and partnering efforts. As Head of External Technologies Innovation Yajie will drive the efforts in the identification, assessment and integration of external technologies to fuel the R&D pipeline and accelerate value creation. Yajie is Principal at Flagship Pioneering and has been with Invaio since June of 2019. Prior to Invaio she worked at Inari Agriculture, where she was one of founding members and developed proprietary CRISPR tools for gene modulation.
Gerardo Ramos, Ph.D.
Gerardo joined Flagship Pioneering in 2018 after a long career in the life science industries in various senior R&D roles with Ciba Geigy, Novartis and Syngenta. During the last 10 years he served as the global Head of Crop Protection R&D at Syngenta where he was instrumental in building an unrivaled crop protection chemistry pipeline, a state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and a world class team. Gerardo is the author of more than 70 scientific papers and patents. In 2017, he received the Agrow’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was appointed to the Board of the Foundation of the Swiss Chemical Society. Gerardo joined Invaio in 2019 as CSO.
Avram Slovic, Ph.D.
Avram has worked for 13 years in agribusiness and industrial biotechnology across Brazil, Europe, and the United States. With a background in Biophysics and Synthetic Biology, he led R&D and Commercial teams in global companies including Amyris, Braskem and Indigo Agriculture. An entrepreneur, Avram co-founded InstaAgro.com in 2015, leader in online sales of Agricultural inputs in Brazil, and Harvest Consulting, helping companies enter the Brazilian agriculture market. Currently, Avram leads commercial efforts in Latin America at Invaio. He is author on 5 scientific articles and 11 patents. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor sports, gardening and cooking.
Dimitri Verweire, Ph.D.
Dimitri has more than 15 years of experience in strategy, business development, M&A and start-ups mostly in Agriculture, Animal and Human Food value chains. After obtaining his PhD in Plant Biotechnology, he worked as a consultant for The Boston Consulting Group supporting clients in various sectors including Pharma. He held corporate strategy and hands-on business development roles at Syngenta. Dimitri has gained significant experience in working at the intersection of innovation, business development and marketing in the agricultural and food industry including digital precision farming, crop protection strategy, go-to-market with new business models integrating the full value chain.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Berendes, Ph.D.
Robert joined Flagship Pioneering in 2014 as an advisory partner and in 2019 became an executive partner. Robert focuses on innovations that address sustainability in the agriculture and nutrition sectors. He currently serves as the chairman of Invaio, Indigo Ag, CiBO Technologies and Inari. Robert’s career has spanned leadership roles in consulting, business development, research & development, and operations. His industry experience draws from previous roles at Proctor & Gamble and Syngenta and consulting experience at McKinsey and a-connect, a global consulting firm headquartered in Switzerland that he co-owns.
Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant was chairman and chief executive officer of the former Monsanto Company. He joined Monsanto in 1981 and spent the next 37 years working on three continents in a variety of positions, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and President. He held the roles of Chairman and CEO from 2003 until his departure in 2018 upon the sale to Bayer.
Monsanto and Grant were recognized by numerous groups for innovation, corporate responsibility, and business leadership during his tenure. Grant has been named on Barron’s list of Most Respected CEOs, the Harvard Business Review’s Top 50 Best Performing CEOs, and recognized as “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive Magazine. In 2015, employee reviews also earned Grant an honor on the Top 10 Highest-Rated CEOs list by Glassdoor.com.
Grant serves as lead director of PPG Industries, Inc., and recently joined the board of Freeport McMoRan. He is also a former member of Civic Progress in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2011, he was inducted as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Iya Khalil
Dr. Iya Khalil is Global Head of the AI Innovation Center at Novartis. A collaboration between Novartis & Microsoft, through the lab Dr. Khalil aims to bolster AI capabilities to accelerate discoveries and the development of transformative medicines for patients worldwide. Dr. Khalil is well known as a technology entrepreneur and physicist with a vision of transforming medicine into a discipline that is quantitative, predictive, and patient-centric via artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches. She co-founded two big data companies, Gene Network Sciences and GNS Healthcare, and is the co-inventor of the proprietary computational engine that underpins both entities. Dr. Khalil was named to the PharmaVOICE 100 list of the most inspiring people in the life sciences industry.
Gerardo Ramos, Ph.D.
Gerardo joined Flagship Pioneering in 2018 after a long career in the life science industries in various senior R&D roles with Ciba Geigy, Novartis and Syngenta. During the last 10 years he served as the global Head of Crop Protection R&D at Syngenta where he was instrumental in building an unrivaled crop protection chemistry pipeline, a state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and a world class team. Gerardo is the author of more than 70 scientific papers and patents. In 2017, he received the Agrow’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was appointed to the Board of the Foundation of the Swiss Chemical Society. Gerardo joined Invaio in 2019 as CSO.
Ignacio Martinez
Ignacio joined Flagship Pioneering in early 2013 to lead the sustainability activities of the firm. In addition to being CEO & President of Invaio Sciences, Ignacio is co-founder and founding CEO of CiBO Technologies, Inari Agriculture, Senda Biosciences, and founding director at Indigo Agriculture. Prior to joining Flagship, Ignacio was a founding member and managing director of Syngenta Ventures. During his tenure at Syngenta, Ignacio was directly involved in corporate strategy and led multiple venture capital investments in agribusiness, biotechnology, and sustainability companies in Europe, North America, and Latin America.
Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni
Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni is Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, R&D Life Sciences at PepsiCo. Since joining PepsiCo in September 2018, Dr. Tataranni has been responsible for driving the company’s nutrition and bio-sciences strategy, and providing expert scientific advice and counsel to help enable disruptive product innovations for consumers in line with PepsiCo’s Winning with Purpose agenda. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Dr. Tataranni was Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs at Sanofi, charged with leading the medical strategy worldwide and operations in major markets for key therapeutic areas. He is a clinician, scientist and industry physician with a well-established track record of delivering high impact results for diverse organizations.
Who We Are In Short
At Invaio, we believe in order to change the world for the better we must invest in top talent. As you’ll see to the right – we’ve focused on building out a top-notch development team set on evolving status quo. We continue to think long-term and strive to create teams that are greater than the sum of their parts. We set to inspire new ideas, promote experimentation and support highly-motivated individuals for success in taking on some of the biggest problems facing humanity.
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SCIENTISTS ON
INVAIO STAFF
225
PATENTS
FILED
20
KEY STRATEGIC
RELATIONSHIPS
4
GLOBAL OFFICE
LOCATIONS
A PIONEERING SPIRIT
It’s the discoveries about our relationships with systems that surround us that will amaze us in the future. Seemingly, it’s our practices in coexisting in those worlds and managing relationships with different elements of nature which will stabilize food systems and address the climate crisis.
Ultimately, we can fix this. We can stabilize the planet by focusing first on these different natural elements and harmonizing with biological systems. By working on these relationships that impact us the most, as with insects, aspects like how we feed ourselves and how we deal with our waste stream will lead to broader discoveries where nature will teach us the way to greater and prosperous practices of refinement.
Invaio Sciences has spawned out of the Flagship Pioneering business ecosystem. Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Steeped in world class scientists and professionals, Flagship Pioneering seeks to improve the human condition.
Since its launch in 2000, the firm has applied a unique, hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $30 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship is backed by >$3 billion of aggregate capital commitments, of which over $1.5 billion has been deployed toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside >$10 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions.
ECOSYSTEM EMPLOYEES
3000
SQ. FT. OF LABS
1300000
COMPANIES FOUNDED
100
ACRES PLANTED
1000000
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."
- FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"Deforestation is changing our climate, harming people and the natural world. We must, and can, reverse this trend."
- JANE GOODALL"The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share."
- LADY BIRD JOHNSON