About us
At Swissaustral, our mission is to empower businesses by developing groundbreaking and efficient biotechnology solutions. Our focus is centered on the use of extremophilic enzymes derived from extremophiles to optimize industrial processes, enhance productivity, and expand market reach. We are deeply committed to providing sustainable and eco-friendly industrial solutions through the power of extremophilic enzymes.
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Unlocking the Power of Extreme Biotechnology
We specialize in offering innovative High-performance Enzymes™ and tailored R&D services, delivering cutting-edge solutions across a broad range of industries including fine chemicals, food & feed production, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, textiles, cosmetics, and personal & home care. Our expertise in extremophilic enzymes allows us to create unique, biocatalytic-integrated solutions, helping our partners and customers to maintain a competitive edge or enter new markets.
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With our functional+genomic approach, we ensure that our High-performance Enzymes™ exhibit proven enzymatic activity under required conditions from the onset. Our customizable R&D service, which operates on a shared-risk model, addresses the specific needs of our customers, further leveraging the potential of extremophilic enzymes.
At Swissaustral, we believe in the transformational potential of Extreme Biotechnology. Our commitment lies in transitioning current industrial processes to become more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable through the application of extremophilic enzymes. We are excited about the future and dedicated to fostering innovation with every step we take.
Proprietary Extremophilic Bio-Bank
Our competitive advantage
Extremophiles are found in the most extreme places in the world, such as ancient ice, terrestrial and submarine volcanoes, deserts, salt lakes and geysers. They have developed mechanisms and novel metabolic tools (i.e. enzymes) to survive under harsh conditions of temperature, pH, radiation and salt concentration, among others.
Their unexplored metabolic pathways are a unique and diverse natural source of new High-performance Enzymes and other bio-actives for different applications.
For over fifteen years, Swissaustral’s scientists have created one of the largest and more diverse collection of novel and unique microorganisms from different natural and anthropogenic extreme environments.
At Swissaustral, we possess a large bio-bank of extreme microorganisms, which represent the innovation core of our company. With more than 300 isolated extremophiles, our collection holds an unparalleled diversity based on unique microorganisms, many of which are not described in public databases. In addition, numerous expeditions and the tireless efforts of our microbiologists, allow us to keep this collection constantly growing.
Learn moreLeadership
Olivier Rickmers
President and Chief Executive Officer
Olivier Rickmers is the founder of Swissaustral. He has been a member of Swissaustral’s board of directors since 2006 and has served as its President as well as Chief Executive Officer from 2006 until now. After his degree as Mechanical Engineer, Mr. Rickmers specialized in computerized process control automation and real-time computer systems. Throughout his career he has gained extensive experience in marketing of high tech products and services, along with a longstanding experience in entrepreneurship and business creation in the IT domain.
Jenny Blamey
Scientific Director
Dr. Blamey is the founder of Swissaustral as well as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). She has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Georgia, USA, with specialization in enzyme development from extremophiles. Jenny has extensive experience in large-scale cultivation and growth of extremophiles and extreme-enzymes discovery and development. She also has an extensive experience in management of applied research at different industrial positions.