A Strong Leadership Team

Lars is a visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in Life Science including his tenure at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.   

In 2019 when FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies acquired the Biogen site in Hillerød, Denmark, he assumed the role of COO for the site, and he most recently served as the Head of the Large-Scale business unit in charge of manufacturing sites in Denmark and Holly Springs, North Carolina, US. Lars has been responsible for the Global Large Scale Commercial operation including full profit and loss accountability as well as the responsibility for over $6.2 Billion global expansions both in Hillerød, Denmark, and Holly Springs, NC.   

Lars has held leadership positions with Biogen, Genentech/Roche, Novo Nordisk, Novozymes and NNE, and he has successfully executed projects in Europe, China and the US.   

Lars holds a master’s degree from the Technical University of Denmark. 

Toshi Iida has been part of Fujifilm Corporation for over three decades. Throughout his remarkable journey since joining Fuji Photo Film in 1991, Toshi has successfully held key leadership roles in Japan and Europe. 

In April 2023 Toshi assumed the position of Chairman, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. In June 2023 he was appointed General Manager for the BioCDMO Division of FUJIFILM Corporation. Prior to his current roles, Toshi served as President and CEO of FUJIFILM Europe GmbH based in Dusseldorf, Germany, and FUJIFILM Europe B.V., with headquarters in Tilburg in the Netherlands.   

Toshi received his degree from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan in 1991. 

Maria leads the implementation of the Corporate Strategy globally and heads the Executive Office supporting the Executive Leadership Team and our President & CEO.  

She first joined the company at the Holly Springs facility as Head of People & Culture and comes with more than 10 years’ experience in leading complex strategic transformational programs globally with a heavy focus on digitalization, as well as experience working with c-suite leadership in global companies as a Senior Management Consultant, including 8 years with Danske Bank. Maria has her master’s degree in psychology and philosophy affording her a unique perspective on diversity. 

Maria has a depth of knowledge and global experience developed through living and working around the globe in the US, China, India, Lithuania, and her home country of Denmark where she recently relocated to after a 2-year assignment in Holly Springs, NC.

Peter supports our CEO and is responsible for Strategic Business Services supporting the Executive Leadership Team. The team includes Science & Innovation and leads strategic initiatives across the company value chain.

He joined FDB and the Large Scale Business Unit in 2023 with more than 20 years of experience including 3 years with the Danish State Railways successfully leading complex engineering acquisition projects (rolling stock), and more than 15 years with Novo Nordisk as a trusted and innovative global leader of commercial lifecycle management for the best-selling diabetes product in the world, commercial strategy, external strategic partnering, digital innovation and organizational change management (one team) and strategic and operational procurement. Peter has lived in Denmark and USA and worked in Japan.

Keita is responsible for FUJIFILM Corporation’s interest in FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ and supports the executive leadership team. He joined FDB in 2011 at RTP, North Carolina. Following this appointment, he moved to the company’s College Station, Texas site in 2014. In September 2019 Keita transferred to the company’s Hillerød, Denmark site.

Prior to moving from Tokyo to RTP in September 2011, he was responsible for the procurement, cost accounting, strategical planning and business development at FUJIFILM Corporation for more than 15 year

Nobu Otsuka joined FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnolgoies in June 2023 when he transferred to RTP, North Carolina. In his role, he is responsible for FUJIFILM Corporation’s interest in the business unit and supports the executive leadership team.

Prior to moving to North Carolina, he was responsible for Mergers & Acquisitions and PMI (Post Merger Integration) activities in the Corporate Planning Department of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation from 2017 to 2023.

Kenneth is responsible for the management, operations and performance for the Global Large Scale Business Unit, encompassing the sites in Hillerod, Denmark and Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA. Kenneth has over 20 years of experience as a proven leader holding a variety of roles with expanding responsibilities in the Life Science and Biotechnology industries.

He joined FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies in 2019 as Site Head for the establishment of the company’s expansion project in Holly Springs, NC. His career includes experience in finance, strategy/business planning, project management, supply chain management, procurement, facilities management, and utilities as well as IT and automation.

Gill has the responsibility for all Legal and Corporate Compliance activities for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, working closely with the Fujifilm regional headquarters around the globe to ensure the continued support and involvement that we benefit from as part of the FUJIFILM Corporation group.

Gill joined FDB as Regional Counsel for the European entities in 2016 and has been a major contributor to the success of our organization since she joined. Prior to joining FDB, Gill worked at the top tier global law firms Eversheds Sutherland and Womble Bond Dickinson and was also in-house counsel for AVIVA and Vocalink (at Mastercard company). In these roles Gill gained extensive experience leading high profile cross jurisdictional transactions; outsourcing, offshoring and insourcing of services and technology; as well as M&A and franchising.

Gill gained a Joint Honours degree in English and Classical Literature at Leeds University before completing a law conversion qualification (Common Professional Examination) and the Legal Practice Course at the UK’s College of Law.

Richard McAvoy assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in March of 2024, entrusted with the pivotal task of steering and overseeing all financial operations within the company. In his capacity as CFO, Rich plays a key role in shaping the financial success of the company’s Partners for Life Strategy. 
 
His journey with our organization began in 2021 when he joined Fujifilm as Senior Healthcare Counsel and since then he has served as Global CAPEX Counsel, Head of Business Support and Site Head for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies North Carolina in Holly Springs, NC. Before becoming an integral part of our team, Rich held significant roles at Novo Nordisk and Alston & Bird LLP. Rich brings a wealth of experience and a strategic mindset to his role, contributing significantly to the financial well-being and success of our company. Rich earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marist College, and his Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame.

Dennis is responsible for leading the Global People Organization and will focus his time on how FDB as an organization shapes a unique global culture, strengthening our commitment to our employees by fostering a thriving, engaged and inclusive workforce across the global FDB network.  

He is a seasoned executive of global people organizations within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with a proven track record of leading organizations through major transformation. 

Dennis previously served as EVP, CHRO (Global People, public affairs & Sustainability) at LEO-Pharma. Prior to LEO-Pharma, he held positions at Sobi AB, Takeda and Genzyme.  

He is also a Captain in the Danish Armed Forces Corp of Engineers Reserves. 

Maja is responsible for driving the quality assurance, quality control and regulatory affairs for the global FDB network. She has 20 years of leadership experience in the life sciences and biopharma space holding sr. leadership positions in quality assurance & control, regulatory affairs and external manufacturing.

Maja returns to FDB from Biogen where she latest served as Global Head of External Manufacturing, overseeing the entire CDMO network. She has experience with the successful start-up of large scale manufacturing capabilities ensuring commercial manufacturing licenses for a number of life changing products with both FDB and Biogen. Maja drives a quality culture with focus on the patient and with a firm belief in quality as an enabler, resulting in strong ownership of quality across functions.