# Alex Berlin

> Alex Berlin is an industrial biotechnology scientist and the founder of Solarbiotech. Previously a Novozymes research leader and Arbiom CTO, he led Solarbiotech from its 2019 founding through expansion and restructuring, leaving its successor business in September 2025. His recent public writing focuses on enzyme engineering and production viability.

- **Role:** Industrial biotechnology scientist and entrepreneur
- **Organizations:** Solarbiotech (founder; former CEO and CTO), Pictor Biotech (former CEO and CTO), Arbiom (former CTO), Novozymes (former research leader), University of British Columbia (research alumnus)
- **Education:** Ph.D., Chemistry, Biotechnology and Catalysis, Lomonosov Moscow State University
- **Known for:** Founded Solarbiotech in 2019., Authored a 2013 Science commentary on cellulose breakdown., Led Solarbiotech during its TurtleTree partnership and Ingredion investment.

## Career timeline

- **2013** — Published “No barriers to cellulose breakdown” in Science while affiliated with Novozymes in Davis, California.
- **2014** — Listed as a Novozymes senior research manager teaching an industrial enzyme seminar at UC Davis.
- **2016–2019** — Served as CTO at Arbiom; announced his final working day in May 2019.
- **2019** — Founded Solarbiotech.
- **2021** — Solarbiotech and TurtleTree announced a strategic partnership.
- **2022** — Solarbiotech announced investment from Ingredion.
- **2023** — Solarbiotech acquired Noblegen; Berlin became chairman of Solar Biotech Canada.
- **2024** — Solar Biotech and Noblegen entered Chapter 11; Pictor Biotech acquired assets. Berlin continued as CEO and CTO.
- **2025** — Departed Pictor Biotech, doing business as Solarbiotech, effective September 20.
- **2026** — Outlined plans to explore difficult enzyme engineering problems using computational and AI tools.

## Achievements

- Founded Solarbiotech in 2019.
- Authored a 2013 Science commentary on cellulose breakdown.
- Led Solarbiotech during its TurtleTree partnership and Ingredion investment.
- Led the 2023 acquisition of Noblegen.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Published an enzyme engineering post outlining his 2026 interests in computational methods, AI and difficult enzymology problems.
- **2025-09** — Announced his departure as CEO and CTO of Pictor Biotech (Solarbiotech), effective September 20, 2025.
- **2025-02** — Explained the integration of Solarbiotech, GPC Bio and Eleszto Genetika in an industry interview.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexberlin

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/alex-berlin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16