ZyGEM MANAGEMENT

ZyGEM Corp has assembled a strong and creative management team representing diverse cultures who are committed to the company’s core values of innovation, openness and, above all, partnership and trust. Each member brings his or her own distinctive expertise and knowledge, which allows ZyGEM to work effectively and seamlessly around the world. The company also benefits from a highly experienced Board of Directors and a technical team comprised of a world-class R&D group and Scientific and Clinical Advisory Boards. The company also is fortunate to have the ongoing counsel of internationally renowned scientist Sir Brian Heap who serves in the role of Chief Scientific Advisor.

The company is privately funded. Cornerstone investors include Endeavour Capital, Waikato Link and a founding group of ZyGEM scientists.

Paul Kinnon
President and Chief Executive Officer

Paul Kinnon was appointed President and CEO in October 2007. A life science industry veteran, he brings ZyGEM more than 18 years of management experience in developing and marketing innovative products and solutions to diverse customers. Paul joined ZyGEM from Invitrogen Corp., where he held the positions of Vice President of Global Strategic Alliances and Vice President and General Manager of the Applied Markets Business Unit. Previously, he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Guava Technologies and Vice President of Sales at Cellomics. Earlier in his career, he held marketing and management positions at leading companies including Porvair, Caliper, Whatman and Thermo Instrumentation. Paul was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Chemistry from Coventry University in the UK and a Diploma of Marketing from Chartered Institute Of Marketing He is a member of the Chartered Institute Marketing and Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP). Paul is based at ZyGEM’s U.S. headquarters near San Diego, California.

Susan Barker
Vice President of Business Development

U.S.-based Susan Barker has more than 20 years of international business development, marketing and sales experience with leading global biotechnology and medical supply companies. Prior to joining ZyGEM, Susan was Director, Business Development and Director, Strategic Opportunities for GE Healthcare Lifesciences, where she assessed and developed new business opportunities leveraging existing products, technologies and intellectual property. Previously, she was Director of Regional Marketing and Global Marketing Leader, High Throughput Screening at Becton Dickinson, where she developed and executed marketing programs for genomics, proteomics and drug discovery products. Earlier in her career, Susan held technical support and sales positions of increasing responsibility at Millipore Corporation.

David Saul, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist

New Zealand-based Dr. David Saul, who leads ZyGEM’s R&D team, is a molecular geneticist who joined the company after a distinguished 25-year career in academia, focusing on the exploitation of microbial resources for the biotechnology and life sciences industries. He was responsible for the identification and production of numerous enzymes that have been of industrial and fine chemical value, including a thermophilic protease that was the basis of the first commercial product sold by ZyGEM. David is one of the founding scientists of the company and has collaborated on research projects and joint development efforts with other ZyGEM-affiliated scientists for more than 15 years.

Sharon Fisher
Operations Manager

Sharon Fisher has educational grounding in science, working with Professor R. B. Elliott, one of the world's top research scientists in child occupational health. Her management experience came with a change in career move to become Purchasing Officer for the Auckland University which led to becoming the Financial Manager for the School of Biological Sciences, Auckland University. Sharon brings to ZyGEM 15 years of extensive skill in controlling assets, financial control and human resources.

Duncan Kay
Business Manager

NZ-based Duncan Kay has spent most of his career in the medical and life science industries. Duncan worked for, Beckman Coulter, Invitrogen and PerkinElmer in sales and business development roles. Whilst at Invitrogen, he achieved the highest rate of growth in the Australasian market for nucleic acid purification products. His understanding of the drivers in this segment was invaluable when he moved to business development roles in automation and genetic analysis for Beckman Coulter and PerkinElmer. Duncan leads the commercial development function in ZyGEM’s New Zealand head office and is responsible for overall commercial activities in the Asia-Pacific region. He holds a Masters degree in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Auckland.