FORT COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Solix BioSystems, Inc. ("Solix"), a leader in photosynthetic algal technology, today announced the appointment of Austin Maguire as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Maguire brings more than 25 years of experience in operations and executive management to Solix at a time when the company is shifting towards commercialization and scaling its operations to satisfy the growing demand for natural high-value, specialty algal products for the nutrition, personal care and aquaculture markets.

"I am delighted that Austin has joined the team at Solix," said Ilya Golubovich, Founder and Managing Partner of I2BF Global Ventures, a major investor in Solix. "Austin brings a demonstrated track record of leadership success in the development, scale-up and global commercialization of new high-value specialty food ingredients. His extensive experience will be instrumental in ensuring the success of Solix's first commercial product launches."

Prior to joining Solix, Maguire was most recently the President of Calera Corporation, a Khosla Ventures-backed carbon dioxide sequestration company, where he led the scale-up of the company's technology and the development of key strategic alliances. Prior to Calera, Maguire served as the President of Tate & Lyle Sucralose Inc., where he led the global SPLENDA® Sucralose sweetener business for eleven years until 2008. At Tate & Lyle, Maguire was also a member of the Group's Senior Operations Management Committee. Earlier positions in Maguire's Tate & Lyle career involved living in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and included progressive increases in global responsibility such as Operations and Managing Director level positions in the U.K.  Maguire began his career with Irish Refining Company as a process and project engineer in their Exxon managed oil refinery and later moved to Angus Fine Chemicals, an American/French contract manufacturing joint venture. Maguire holds a chemical engineering degree from University College Dublin, Ireland.

"Solix has already proven its technology's versatility at scale, and I am excited about moving the company forward to the commercialization phase and delivering innovative natural microalgae-derived products that meet growing consumer demand," said Maguire.

Joel Butler, former CEO, will continue at Solix in the new role of Chief Strategic Alliance Officer.

About Solix BioSystems

Solix BioSystems, Inc. was founded in 2006 with a vision of realizing the full commercial potential of photosynthetic microalgae.  Headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, Solix BioSystems has developed and successfully deployed a robust algal growth system (AGS®) that is based on its proprietary extended-surface area closed photobioreactor panels.  The technology is applicable to a broad range of microalgae species. 

The Company has operated its demonstration facility in southwestern Colorado for multiple years, confirming the technology's reliability, industry leading volumetric productivity, and scalability.  Coupled with an experienced leadership team and committed international investors, the Company is now poised to exploit its technology in the development and production of multiple high-value specialty algal products for the nutrition, personal care and aquaculture markets. 

For more information, please visit www.solixbiosystems.com.

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SOURCE Solix BioSystems, Inc.

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