Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED), a leading Chinese agricultural technology company, is poised for a new era of growth and innovation with the appointment of Mr. Weibin Yan as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. This leadership transition comes as the company aims to strengthen its position in the global agricultural sector.
A New Leader at the Helm
Mr. Yan, who brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in the agricultural and industrial sectors, steps into his new role with a strong background in corporate leadership and growth. Currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Yan was one of the principal founders of Ausnutria Dairy Corporation Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. During his tenure as Chairman, Ausnutria grew to become a global leader in the dairy industry. Additionally, Mr. Yan served as a director of Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. (“Longping High-tech”), listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, where he held key executive roles, including CEO and Vice Chairman.
Mr. Yan’s previous experience with Origin Agritech, where he served as an independent director from 2017 to 2018, further strengthens his understanding of the company’s operations and strategic direction. His deep industry knowledge and proven leadership make him ideally suited to guide Origin Agritech through its next phase of growth.
Leadership Continuity
Dr. Gengchen Han, who has served as CEO, will continue his role as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Han expressed his confidence in Mr. Yan’s leadership, 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.”
Vision for the Future
Mr. Yan is stepping into the role of CEO at a crucial time for Origin Agritech, as the company continues to make significant advancements in GMO technology and gene editing. He expressed his enthusiasm for leading the company, stating, “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.”
About Origin Agritech Ltd.
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, Origin Agritech Ltd. has established itself as a pioneer in agricultural technology in China. The company’s achievements include the development of phytase corn, the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China’s Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin Agritech has developed a robust biotechnology seed pipeline, featuring products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits.
As Origin Agritech moves forward under new leadership, the company is set to continue its mission of providing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions that address global food security challenges. Investors and stakeholders can stay updated on company and industry developments through the company’s website at www.originagritech.com and its Twitter account at @origin_agritech.
