Meet Our New CTO
Dr. Sunil Chandran on the Future of Amyris and the Power of Renewable Biological Chemistry
September 8, 2025
A Technology Leader Returns at a Defining Moment
Amyris is at an inflection point — a moment where science, sustainability, and scalability converge to transform industries and redefine what’s possible with renewable biological chemistry. To help lead this next chapter, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sunil Chandran back to Amyris as our new Chief Technology Officer.
Sunil is no stranger to Amyris. After spending 17 years at the company — rising from Scientist to Chief Science Officer — Sunil played a pivotal role in building Amyris’ core platform technologies and scaling breakthrough products to market.
Most recently, he spent two years as Chief Science Officer at Impossible Foods, where he spearheaded R&D and process development, driving breakthrough product innovations for commercial success in one of the most dynamic sectors of biotechnology.
Now, Sunil returns to our team with new knowledge gained from the ever-changing and highly competitive food industry, to bring fresh perspectives from the experience to our ingredients sector that is poised for dramatic new growth and development.
A Biological Inflection Point
The biotechnology sector is at an inflection point, where lessons learned and achievements reached are coalescing around the next major advancement in this business.
Biotechnology is now seen by global government leaders, innovative leaders, and the investment community as one of the most critical drivers of global innovation – capable of transforming consumer products, supply chains, and entire industries.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen significant investment, incredible advances in science, and an acceleration of market demand,” Sunil says. “From government-backed sustainability goals to consumer-driven expectations for renewable products, there’s never been a more exciting time to be in this business.”
Amyris’ position in this landscape is unique. While many companies have entered the field, few can match Amyris’ proven ability to take discoveries from bench to market at commercial scale. With a fully integrated platform spanning world-class technology, manufacturing, and a robust commercial network, Amyris not only innovates, it delivers.
This rare combination positions Amyris to play a defining leadership role as biotechnology reshapes global industries.
A Personal Mission Continues
For Sunil, returning to Amyris was more than a professional decision — it was personal. “I’ve watched Amyris’ transformation from the outside, and sometimes you have to go to grow,” he explains. “Under Kathy Fortmann’s leadership, the company has sharpened its focus, strengthened its customer partnerships, and doubled down on doing great science with great purpose. That’s what drew me back — the chance to collaborate on groundbreaking materials, ingredients, and products that make a real difference in the world.”
“In addition, I have always wanted to be in a professional lane where there is ample opportunity to deliver breakthroughs in science and grow a sustainable, life-affirming business. Amyris has learned many lessons, and it’s an exciting time to return to this company now poised for a new chapter of discovery and excellence.”
Sunil is particularly energized by Amyris’ ability to turn visionary science into tangible, real-world solutions. At a time when companies, governments, and consumers alike are seeking renewable alternatives, Amyris’ platform and people are uniquely equipped to deliver precision-engineered molecules that reduce environmental impact while meeting the highest standards of performance and quality.
The Amyris Advantage: Innovation Meets Scale
In a crowded industry, Amyris has always stood apart through its ability to execute. “Amyris’ strength lies in the way its core capabilities harmonize,” Sunil says. “We have an advanced technology platform, a state-of-the-art manufacturing capability, and a commercial model built for collaboration. Together, they create a powerful engine for innovation, one that enables us to move faster from discovery to deployment, solving customer challenges at scale.”
That focus on bench-to-bench collaboration with customers has become a defining feature of the Amyris experience. Customers rely on Amyris not just for breakthrough ingredients, but for building on the value of deep partnership — the co-development of complex scientific solutions that balance sustainability, performance, and profitability.
“Consumers are demanding a lot from industry across all sectors,” Sunil notes. “They want sustainability, they want quality, they want innovation. They want progress. Our customers are responding to this market-driven revolution and seeking out Amyris to help them meet consumer demand with breakthrough science that meets their needs and drives forward our customers’ business.”
Rising to the Challenges Ahead
The road ahead is filled with opportunity, but also challenges. As Sunil notes, one of the biggest hurdles for the industry is speed. “The discoveries are happening every day, and the real challenge is translating those breakthroughs into products that can scale quickly,” he explains. “That’s where Amyris thrives. We have the infrastructure, the talent, and the drive to close that gap.”
Sunil brings to Amyris a deep belief in strategic disruption. He sees the next era of biotechnology defined not just by what companies innovate, but by how fast they deliver those innovations to market. That requires a holistic team approach, an environment being crafted by a focused new CEO.
Leadership, Vision, and Purpose
As Amyris accelerates into this next phase, leadership alignment is critical. Under CEO Kathy Fortmann, Amyris has emerged from a successful business reset with sharper priorities, stronger operational discipline, and a renewed focus on customer-driven growth. Sunil’s appointment marks a continuation of that strategy — investing in the people, platforms, and partnerships needed to meet the growing demand for renewable solutions.
“There’s so much untapped potential in biological chemistry, it’s really astounding” Sunil says. “Our job at Amyris is to unlock it — responsibly, sustainably, and at scale. We have the science, the partnerships, and the passion to lead this transformation.”
“This is “the sky’s the limit” moment for biological chemistry, and Amyris has the wherewithal to grasp that potential and lead.”
Looking Ahead
For Sunil Chandran, returning to Amyris isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about building the future. And for Amyris, having Sunil back at the helm of technology and innovation means more than accelerating product pipelines; it signals that experience and executional strength will drive a new chapter for the entire company.
From renewable molecules that reduce environmental impact to platform-driven solutions that unlock new market opportunities, Amyris is committed to delivering real impact, at real scale — and Sunil’s leadership is central to that mission.
“Yes, there are big challenges for our sector, and there are big expectations for this sector from governments, from investors, from customers,” Sunil said. “But this is what makes this time in our company history so interesting and exciting. It’s going to be a ride to unlock the chemistry of life.”