Primrose Bio Announces New CEO: Drew Burch
Primrose Bio, Inc., recognized for its innovative advancements in biomanufacturing, has made a significant leadership change by appointing Andrew "Drew" Burch as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This announcement, made on October 1, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the company as it seeks to enhance its market presence and drive future innovations in the industry.
Drew Burch takes over from Helge Zieler, PhD, who has been instrumental in the company's development since its inception in September 2023. Zieler will transition to the role of Chief Technology Officer, focusing on the company's technological advancements and production capabilities. His leadership over the past two years has set a strong foundation for Burch as he steps into the CEO role.
Burch's impressive background includes a wealth of experience in commercializing biomanufacturing technologies. Most recently, he served as President of Nucleic Acid Production at Maravai LifeSciences, where he honed his skills in leading high-growth organizations within the biopharmaceutical sector. His previous tenure at Thermo Fisher Scientific saw him overseeing multiple divisions, enabling him to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biomanufacturing landscape.
Matt Reber, a Partner at 1315 Capital and member of the Primrose Board of Directors, expressed his excitement about Burch's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Drew as our new leader. His deep industry insights and proven successes in translating scientific innovations into commercial viability make him the perfect fit to guide Primrose into its next chapter."
In his acceptance, Burch conveyed his enthusiasm for joining Primrose, emphasizing the vast potential within biological medicine. He highlighted the promising opportunity for high-efficiency production systems such as Pfenex Expression Technology® and Prima RNApols™—technologies he aims to champion during his leadership. Burch stated, "I look forward to collaborating with our talented team, partners, and stakeholders to enhance the adoption of our groundbreaking technologies."
Zieler echoed similar sentiments, praising the capabilities of the team he has led and expressing confidence in Burch's ability to build on the groundwork laid during his tenure. "It has been a privilege to lead Primrose, and Drew is precisely the leader we need to capitalize on what we’ve built together. I look forward to supporting him in delivering impactful solutions for our clients and the industry."
Primrose Bio is at the forefront of developing and commercializing an integrated end-to-end technology platform aimed at tackling the challenges of drug manufacturing and design. Among its flagship products are Pfenex Expression Technology®, a proprietary system that boasts up to 20 times higher yields, and Prima RNApols™, which enhances mRNA manufacturing processes. Additionally, their PeliCRM197® serves as a validated carrier protein used for conjugate vaccines, underscoring the company's diverse offerings.
The company's cutting-edge technologies have garnered the attention of many leading pharmaceutical entities, including Merck, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Serum Institute of India, showcasing their relevancy and applicability in today’s biopharmaceutical market.
As Drew Burch embarks on this new journey, Primrose Bio stands poised for continued advancement and impactful developments within the realm of biomanufacturing, promising to enhance their position as industry leaders.
For more information on Primrose Bio, visit
www.primrosebio.com.