ABIM Appoints Jan Scherrer as the new Chief Executive Officer

Global Biocontrol Leadership

ABIM Appoints Jan Scherrer as the new Chief Executive Officer

Pharmaceutical Veteran and Biochemist Steps in to Drive the World’s Premier Biocontrol Forum

The Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) has officially announced the appointment of Jan Scherrer as its new Chief Executive Officer. Bringing more than 20 years of senior management experience from major pharmaceutical entities including Pfizer, Aspen Pharma, Otsuka, and Vifor Pharma, Scherrer succeeds Lucius Tamm, who stepped down on 31 March 2026 after two decades of leadership. With an academic background in biochemistry from ETH Zurich and deep involvement in biodiversity committees, Scherrer specializes in transforming complex scientific visions into scalable operational realities. This appointment positions him to lead the premier international biological crop protection platform, a 50:50 joint venture between FiBL and IBMA, ahead of its upcoming October 2026 conference in Basel, Switzerland. Review the complete corporate announcement at ABIM.

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ABIM has announced the appointment of Jan Scherrer as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the organization.

Bringing more than 20 years of leadership and management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Scherrer has held senior roles at Pfizer, Aspen Pharma, Otsuka, and Vifor Pharma. Throughout his career, he has built extensive expertise in strategic development, financial performance, organizational management, and operational excellence.

Known as an “executive enabler,” Scherrer specializes in transforming scientific visions into operational reality and scalable organizational structures. His academic background in biochemistry from ETH Zurich, combined with his long-standing involvement in biodiversity-focused committees, enables him to effectively bridge science, governance, policy, and business operations.

Scherrer succeeds Lucius Tamm, who stepped down on 31 March 2026 after two decades of dedicated leadership. ABIM looks forward to working with its new CEO to drive sustainable growth, strengthen its global impact, and shape the organization’s future.

About ABIM

ABIM is a 50:50 joint venture between the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA). The Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) is the world’s leading conference dedicated to biological crop protection and sustainable agricultural solutions. Since its launch in 2006, ABIM has grown alongside the increasing global demand for environmentally friendly agricultural inputs, biocontrol technologies, and regenerative farming practices. Held annually in Basel, Switzerland, ABIM has become the premier international platform for companies, researchers, regulators, investors, policymakers, and innovators working across biologicals, biopesticides, biostimulants, and sustainable crop protection technologies. Organised by IBMA, the event attracts thousands of participants from around the world, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, business development, and innovation within the global biocontrol sector. The 2026 edition will take place from 20–22 October at the Congress Center Basel, Switzerland, and is expected to welcome more than 2,000 delegates from over 65 countries.

Strategic Market Context

The selection of an expert from the highly regulated pharmaceutical sector to steer the world’s chief biological summit represents an ongoing transition toward rigorous industrial scaling and corporate maturity in biocontrol. This institutional evolution matches a prominent movement where global agribusiness networks are building professional management layers to match rising commercial demand. This governance shift aligns with recent strategic appointments across global agricultural hubs, such as the South African Bioproducts Organisation naming Debbie Matteucci as CEO to expand integrated market programs, and the major administrative expansion seen with the California Department of Food and Agriculture appointing Carney King as Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs to navigate complex state environmental and regulatory frameworks.

“Bridging biochemistry and executive strategy to drive the next generation of global biocontrol innovation.”

Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) Secretariat

Basel, Switzerland | Executive Governance Registry | June 2026 | abim.ch