Solynta welcomes Edwin van der Vossen as new Director of R&D

Solynta announced today that its management board has unanimously decided to appoint Dr Edwin van der Vossen as its new Director of Research & Development. Van der Vossen will join Solynta as of March 1, 2020 and will be succeeding the current Director Dr Pim Lindhout as of May 1, 2020.

Dr van der Vossen brings over 20 years of R&D experience in plant sciences. Over the last 11 years he was part of the Management team of the crop innovation company KeyGene, heading the Crop Innovation Unit within the company. Prior to joining Keygene he served in a number of roles at Wageningen University & Research. Dr van der Vossen holds a PhD in Molecular Plant Sciences from Leiden University and a MSc in Plant Breeding from Wageningen University.

Dr Lindhout, Solynta’s current director of R&D, has decided to step back from his current position given his upcoming retirement at some point in the future. He will transition to an expert, advisor and coaching capacity within the R&D team. This change continues Lindhout’s contribution to the development of hybrid potato by Solynta in the years to come.

Pim Lindhout expresses excitement; “Edwin will give an impulse to Solynta’s R&D leadership combined with a continuation of excellence. I am thrilled with Edwin joining Solynta and am looking forward to working alongside him and the team.”

“I see this as a great opportunity to contributing to potentially the biggest innovation in the breeding of one of the world’s most important food crops.” said van der Vossen. “I am looking forward to working with this talented team and hope to contribute to steering the company towards the next phase of its existence, namely the accelerated and steady development of improved and high yielding potato hybrids”.

Hein Kruyt, Solynta’s CEO stated: “I am very happy with Edwin joining us. His deep understanding of genomics and data driven science and proven ability to apply this to crop improvements combined with his interpersonal skills make me even more excited about Solynta’s future.”

About Solynta

Solynta is a Dutch potato company with worldwide research, development, production and commercial activities in Hybrid True Potato Seeds. Solynta is revolutionizing potato breeding through the commercial production of hybrid potato that is propagated by true seeds. Solynta’s hybrid potatoes are not GMO. About 25 grams of Solynta’s potato seeds can plant one hectare thereby reducing transportation costs and making planting material available to more farmers in the developing world. Solynta’s true potato seeds reduce the incidence of diseases caused by viruses and other pathogens thereby increasing yields. Solynta can rapidly breed new potato cultivars that combine beneficial traits including disease resistance thereby reducing the need for pesticides.