Novo Holdings appoints two new members to the Novo Advisory Group

Novo Holdings is pleased to announce the appointment of Avra van der Zee and Dr Peter Eckes to the Novo Advisory Group (NAG), an expert panel of senior industry leaders that supports Novo Holdings in analysing and monitoring its life science investments.

In addition to further strengthening the NAG, the appointments reinforce Novo Holdings’ investment focus within planetary health.

Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings, said: “Avra has extensive experience in climate investing from a technology, transaction as well as policy perspective, while Peter brings very strong expertise in agriculture, nutrition and biotechnology. Their insights and experience will be valuable to the NAG, and we look very much forward to working with them.”

Avra van der Zee strengthens increased climate focus
Avra van der Zee is an experienced entrepreneur, executive and investor with a focus on climate technologies. She currently serves as COO of Elemental Excelerator, a non-profit climate investor and impact organisation with a decade-plus track record of investing in critical climate technologies. 

Prior to joining Elemental, Avra led the micromobility company JUMP as a C-suite executive from its early inception to its USD200m+ sale to Uber.

Avra has deep experience in climate and mission-focused ventures and currently serves as director and advisor for various startups and organisations.

Avra van der Zee said: ”I am thrilled to be joining the Novo Advisory Group (NAG). My engagement in the climate space is driven by both a personal and professional commitment to scaling innovations that can better our world. I look forward to utilising my experience to help advance Novo Holding’s mission of making meaningful investments in the technologies and industries that will power a cleaner, healthier future for all.”

Dr Peter Eckes contributes with experience in translating innovation to impact
Peter Eckes has 25 years global executive experience driving new business and innovation at BASF SE for a broad range of industries, including agriculture, nutrition, care, specialty chemical products and industrial biotechnology. He has a proven track record in developing innovation strategies and implementing them successfully to build industry leading R&D pipelines.

As CTO, he has led BASF’s 10bn EUR Agricultural Solution business R&D and Regulatory team globally with a 1bn EUR R&D budget responsibility. He was a member of BASF’s global Technology Leadership Team steering BASF’s entire innovation activities worldwide.

Peter now serves as Operational Partner in Astanor Ventures, Senior Advisor in SVG Ventures, and as Chairperson of the Board at Harpe Bio.

Peter Eckes said: “I am very pleased that I have been given the opportunity to join the Novo Advisory Group (NAC). With my passion for innovation in agriculture, biotechnology and chemistry and experience within R&D, I look forward to contributing to Novo Holdings’ mission of making meaningful investments within planetary health.”

About Avra van der Zee and Dr Peter Eckes

About Avra van der Zee
US citizen

Board positions
Avra has board experience in various early-stage companies and currently serves as Chairperson of the Board at Made of Air. 

Career
2023 – Chairperson of the Board, Made of Air

2022 – 2023      Board Director, Made of Air

2021 –   Chief Operating Officer, Elemental Excelerator 

2020 – Strategic Advisor & Board Director, Various early-stage companies

2020 – 2021       VP, Strategy and Policy, Superpedestrian

2018 – 2020       Director, Global Market Entry, Uber

2014 – 2018        General Counsel and Chief Strategy Officer, JUMP Bikes

2009 – 2014       General Counsel, Trespa North America

2007 – 2009      Litigation Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Education
Avra holds a BA in History and Literature from Harvard University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.

About Dr Peter Eckes
German citizen

Board positions
Peter currently serves as Chairperson of the Board at Harpe Bio, Senior Advisor at SVG Ventures, and Operational Partner at Astanor Ventures.

Career
2024 – Senior Advisor, SVG Ventures I THRIVE

2024 – Chairperson of the Board, Harpe Bio

2024 – Operational Partner, Astanor Ventures

2015 – 2023       President and CTO, BASF Agricultural Solution

2009 – 2015       President and CEO, BASF Plant Science

2002 – 2009      Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solution

2000 – 2002      Vice President New Business Development Chemicals, BASF

1996 – 1999        Production Manager, BASF

1994 – 1996        Head of R&D Staff to CTO, BASF

1992 – 1994        Research Chemist, BASF

Education
Peter holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Goethe University of Frankfurt.