Riccardo LoCascio is Head of Partnering for Precision Proteins at Novonesis, where he leads strategic collaborations and investments to bring next-generation nutrition and health ingredients to market. With over 15 years of experience spanning global companies (Novonesis, DuPont) and biotech startups (Evolva, Arcadia Biosciences), he specializes in translating early-stage innovations into scalable solutions for human health. His work focuses on developing bio-based ingredients that target key health areas, including gut microbiome modulation, metabolic health, and healthy aging. He has structured and executed partnerships exceeding $1B in value, spanning joint development, manufacturing, and commercialization, helping bridge the gap between biotech innovation and consumer health applications. Riccardo holds a PhD in Microbiology from UC Davis, where his research focused on human milk oligosaccharides and the infant gut microbiome—an area that continues to inform his perspective on the future of personalized and innovation-driven nutrition.