Pioneering the Future of Synthetic Biology

Mr. Antalich is a seasoned entrepreneur with a long-standing track record of guiding companies operating at the intersection of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food technology with a particular emphasis on enabling sustainable industrial transformation. His leadership is centered on strategic oversight, governance, and the long-term stewardship of organizations navigating complex, innovation-driven industries. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to the creation and scaling of multiple ventures, providing board-level guidance on corporate strategy, capital allocation, organizational restructuring, and high-value commercial negotiations. Mr. Antalich previously served as Chief Executive Officer of a publicly listed biotechnology company, where he led the organization to achieve a historic industry milestone by becoming the first publicly traded entity to supply cannabinoid-based products to a federal government. Under his leadership, the company rapidly scaled operations, strengthened its regulatory position, and established itself as a pioneering force in a highly competitive market. He also played a central role in structuring and executing the company’s strategic exit, culminating in a landmark acquisition valued at approximately $300 million. This transaction became one of the most notable deals in the regulated cannabis sector and demonstrated his ability to build, position, and monetize high-growth companies at the forefront of emerging global industries.

Dr. Taskila holds a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering with a specialization in bioprocesses, providing her with a strong scientific and technical foundation to lead complex sustainability-driven initiatives. She brings more than 15 years of experience steering bioeconomy and circular-economy projects across both academia and industry, working at the interface of research, technology development, and strategic business implementation. Her expertise covers a broad range of critical disciplines, including resource efficiency, valorization and utilization of industrial side streams, carbon footprint assessment, market and competitive analysis, and the design of financial instruments to support innovation-driven ventures. Dr. Taskila has been instrumental in preparing investment materials, feasibility studies, and strategic roadmaps that enable companies and public institutions to transition toward low-carbon, circular operating models. Throughout her career, she has collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams, regulatory bodies, and industry partners, helping bridge technological potential with commercial viability. Dr. Taskila’s combination of scientific rigor, strategic insight, and hands-on project leadership positions her as a key contributor to advancing sustainable industrial transformation.

Mr. Virtanen is a seasoned project and operations leader with extensive international experience in the planning, construction, and management of large-scale industrial facilities. As Project Manager at Synbio Powerlabs, he oversees the execution of complex biotechnology and precision-fermentation infrastructure projects, ensuring operational readiness, technical compliance, and cross-functional coordination across engineering, regulatory, and commercial teams. He also brings deep expertise in identifying, evaluating, and adapting high-tech equipment for highly demanding and non-standard processes. Throughout his career, he has specialized in bridging the gap between engineering requirements and practical implementation—sourcing advanced technologies, customizing them for unique production needs, and integrating them into sophisticated industrial environments. Mr. Virtanen has led the construction and commissioning of multiple industrial facilities worldwide, managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering projects under stringent technical, environmental, and regulatory conditions.

Mr. Ojamo is a highly accomplished Director with decades of experience collaborating with leading scientific institutions across the Nordics. Throughout his career, he has held pivotal roles in the biotechnology sector, ranging from Head of Pilot Operations to Group Manager and Director of Science and Technology, consistently contributing to the advancement of industrial biotechnology and applied research. In academia, he has served in prominent teaching and research positions, including Professor and Lecturer appointments at Aalto University, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Oulu. His scientific contributions, particularly in metabolic engineering and carbohydrate biochemistry, have led to multiple patents and have strengthened Finland’s position in these specialized fields. Mr. Ojamo has been recognized for his Distinguished Scientific Activity and has served as a Board Member of the Association of Finnish Chemical Societies, underscoring his leadership within the scientific community. Over the course of his career, he has authored or co-authored 46 scientific publications and has supervised more than 40 Ph.D., D.Sc., M.Sc., and B.Sc. theses, shaping generations of researchers and contributing profoundly to the development of Nordic biotechnology.

Melissa is a dynamic advocate for innovation, consistently fostering a culture where creativity, bold thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration thrive. With academic foundations in Chemical Engineering and Biosystems and Biomaterials Engineering from Aalto University, she brings both technical depth and strategic insight to the rapidly evolving field of synthetic biology. Her passion for next-generation biotechnologies has shaped a career devoted to connecting scientific talent, emerging technologies, and high-impact opportunities. As co-lead of the award-winning Aalto-Helsinki iGEM 2022 team, she guided the group to earn a prestigious gold medal, demonstrating her capacity to mobilize teams, navigate complex challenges, and deliver world-class results. Melissa’s hands-on expertise in yeast strain engineering, microbial cultivation, and bioprocess development continues to inform her work at Synbio Powerhouse, where she plays a key role in accelerating breakthrough projects and strengthening the broader innovation ecosystem. Through her extensive network within academia, start-ups, industry, and investors, she actively connects people, resources, and capabilities, helping transform Finland into a globally recognized hub for synthetic biology and health-tech advancement. Her career is defined by a commitment to shaping the future of biotechnology while inspiring the next generation of innovators to push the boundaries of what synthetic biology can achieve.

Dr. Díaz Dellavalle holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Natural Molecules and brings more than 20 years of experience in the research, development, and management of biotechnology projects. She has specialized training in intellectual property and competitive intelligence, with deep expertise in patent strategy, technology transfer, and innovation management, particularly across the chemistry, life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Díaz Dellavalle served as Chief Scientific Officer of two organizations: a Canadian life sciences company focused on innovation in mental health, and an alternative-protein biotechnology enterprise dedicated to developing sustainable food technologies. Throughout her career, she has led multidisciplinary scientific teams and managed non-clinical study programs and new-molecule development initiatives, contributing to the advancement of biotechnological innovation and translational research.

Dr. Minini brings more than a decade of comprehensive experience in drug research and development, supported by a rigorous scientific background that includes a Ph.D. in Chemistry and a degree in Biochemistry. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of early-stage pharmaceutical innovation, with a strong specialization in the discovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients, their purification and isolation, and the evaluation of their biological activity across multiple therapeutic areas. Throughout her career, she has contributed to advancing novel therapeutic candidates by integrating analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacological testing, consistently delivering high-quality scientific outputs. Beyond her scientific work, Dr. Minini also held a key operational leadership role as Procurement Manager at a biotechnology company focused on sustainable alternative-protein technologies. In this capacity, she led strategic sourcing initiatives, optimized supplier relationships, strengthened quality and compliance protocols, and improved supply-chain performance to support commercial-scale innovation. Her combined scientific and operational experience positions her uniquely at the intersection of R&D excellence and biotech execution.

Leevi holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Aalto University, where he specialized in biotechnology and developed a strong foundation in bioprocessing and applied life sciences. His technical expertise spans genetic engineering, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry, with hands-on experience designing, optimizing, and evaluating biological systems. Before joining Synbio Powerlabs, Leevi worked across several of Finland’s leading industrial refineries, gaining practical exposure to large-scale operations, quality systems, and complex process environments. This industrial background gives him a rare ability to translate laboratory-level innovation into scalable, real-world applications. Passionate about sustainability and the future of the bioeconomy, Leevi is committed to integrating his scientific and industrial experience to push the boundaries of biorefining. His goal is to help accelerate the transition toward cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient industrial practices through biotechnology.

Dario is an expert business developer and design strategist with a strong background in circular economy, product development, and communication.
With extensive experience in design, creative leadership, and sustainable innovation he is Bachelor's in Industrial Design (Honors) and a Master's in Ecodesign (Honors). He is a passionate advocate of design thinking applied to bio-innovation and technology development.