Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED), a prominent Chinese agricultural technology company, has announced a significant leadership change. Effective immediately, Mr. Weibin Yan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Gengchen Han, who has served as CEO, will continue his role as Chairman of the Board, ensuring continuity and strategic oversight.
Mr. Yan’s appointment marks a notable shift for Origin Agritech, as the company aims to leverage his extensive experience and leadership skills to navigate its next phase of growth. Mr. Yan is a well-established figure in the agricultural and industrial sectors, currently serving as the Vice-Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce. His career includes a successful tenure as one of the principal founders and Chairman of Ausnutria Dairy Corporation Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Under his leadership, Ausnutria emerged as a leading global player in the dairy industry.
In addition to his achievements at Ausnutria, Mr. Yan has a rich history with Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. (“Longping High-tech”), listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. He served as a director from 2004 to January 2016, holding various executive roles, including CEO from 2004 to April 2010 and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2010 to January 2016. His diverse and extensive experience in the agricultural sector positions him well to steer Origin Agritech toward new horizons.
Mr. Yan is no stranger to Origin Agritech, having served as an independent director from 2017 to 2018. This previous engagement has given him a deep understanding of the company’s operations and strategic direction. His educational background includes an MBA in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Foreign Trade from Hunan University, further complementing his leadership capabilities.
Dr. Gengchen Han, Chairman of Origin Agritech, expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Yan’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Weibin Yan as our new CEO and as a member of our Board of Directors. His extensive experience in agriculture and his proven leadership in building and growing successful companies make him the ideal person to lead Origin Agritech into its next phase of growth and innovation. His experience as an independent director furthers his understanding of our mission and strategic goals. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to advance our mission of providing sustainable agricultural solutions to meet global food security challenges.”
Mr. Weibin Yan, the newly appointed CEO, shared his excitement about rejoining Origin Agritech at a crucial juncture in the company’s history. “I am honored to rejoin Origin Agritech at such a pivotal time in the company’s history. The advancements in GMO technology and gene editing that Origin has achieved are truly impressive, and I am excited to lead the company as we work to commercialize these innovations and expand our impact on global agriculture. I look forward to contributing to the Board and leading the talented team at Origin to push the boundaries of what’s possible in crop development and deliver significant value to our shareholders.”
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, Origin Agritech has established itself as a leader in crop seed biotechnologies. The company’s notable achievements include the development of phytase corn, the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China’s Ministry of Agriculture. Origin Agritech continues to build a robust biotechnology seed pipeline, featuring products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits.
As Origin Agritech embarks on this new chapter under Mr. Yan’s leadership, the company remains committed to its mission of providing sustainable agricultural solutions to address global food security challenges. Investors and stakeholders can expect continued innovation and growth as the company leverages its advancements in GMO technology and gene editing to make a significant impact on global agriculture.
