Breaking Barriers in Biotech: Nélida Leiva Eriksson on Science, Startups, and Female Leadership

This article marks the beginning of my Female Leadership in Fermentation and SynBio series, an initiative to explore the stories of pioneering women who are driving innovation in these rapidly evolving industries. As a specialist consultant at Gibson Watts, I specialize in fermentation and synthetic biology recruitment, where talent is key in shaping the future of these industries. At Gibson Watts, our mission is clear: to connect innovative, forward-thinking companies with exceptional leaders who will drive their success. My work in this sector is more than just recruitment, it’s about shaping the future of biotech, ensuring that businesses have the right talent to drive progress.

The commitment to the industry led me to have an in-depth discussion with Nélida Leiva Eriksson, a leading voice in biotech innovation, to gain deeper insight into the sector’s challenges and opportunities. Our conversation explored female leadership, the evolving role of fermentation in health solutions, and the journey of Ironic Biotech in tackling iron deficiency through groundbreaking research. By launching this series, I want to highlight the progress being made, the challenges that remain, and the impact strong leadership has in shaping the industry’s future, while also expanding my own knowledge through conversations with pioneers like Nélida.

Over the past few decades, the fields of fermentation and synthetic biology have witnessed a remarkable transformation. Historically male-dominated, these industries are now embracing diversity, with a significant rise in female-led startups and leadership roles. This shift not only enriches the scientific community but also drives innovation and inclusivity.

From Scientist to Entrepreneur: Nélida’s Journey

For Nélida Leiva Eriksson, starting a company was not just a career move, it was a deeply personal mission. While conducting research on synthetic blood substitutes, she found herself hospitalized for iron deficiency anemia. The irony of the situation was not lost on her.

Nélida had spent years working on synthetic blood substitutes, yet she suddenly found herself in a hospital, needing the very thing she had been researching. This moment of irony stuck with her, so much so that it became the foundation for her company’s name, Ironic Biotech. More than a clever play on words, it symbolized her mission: to turn overlooked problems into powerful solutions.

With a background in genetic engineering, molecular biology, and biochemistry, Nélida was deeply familiar with the mechanisms behind iron absorption. But seeing firsthand how inadequate existing treatments were made her realize that the problem had not been solved.

“Big companies had over 50 years to fix this problem, and they didn’t. Why? Most, probably, because it’s a female problem, mostly affecting women, children, and the elderly. And the people making decisions in this industry? Mostly men. They don’t experience it, so they think it’s solved.”

She saw firsthand how the issue of iron deficiency had been neglected for centuries.

Despite its widespread impact, primarily on women, children, and the elderly, major companies had failed to innovate. The reason? The people in charge simply didn’t see it as a priority.

Determined to fill this gap, she founded Ironic Biotech to develop a more effective,

bioavailable iron supplement through fermentation. Her scientific expertise gave her confidence in the technology, but the business side was a completely new challenge.

“I had to start entertaining the idea of having a business hat, but I don’t have an MBA. As a researcher, you manage people, budgets, and resources, but building a company requires a different mindset. I needed to learn fast.”

Navigating the world of entrepreneurship was a challenge. While her research background gave her a strong foundation in problem-solving, turning science into a business required an entirely new skill set. Over time, she thrive through trial and error, skillfully managing funding, forging build strategic partnerships, and effectively communicating her vision effectively. However, a particularly transformative experience was her participation in REACH, a program that supports Nordic research based startups in Silicon Valley. Through REACH, she refined her business model, gained insights into market dynamics, and developed a clearer understanding of regulatory landscapes. This initiative, run by Nordic Innovation House, is designed to help founders like Nélida successfully transition from research to entrepreneurship, providing critical mentorship and networking opportunities. For aspiring female founders in biotech, programs like this can be a game-changer.

Leading as a Female Founder: Team, Leadership, and Motivation

As a leader, Nélida believes in empowering her team by fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Given the small size of Ironic Biotech, everyone, including herself, takes on multiple roles, from lab work to strategic planning.

“We are a small team, so we all have to do everything, from preparing coffee to working in the lab. We’re not that big yet where roles are rigidly defined. We cross over a lot.”

Her leadership philosophy is based on trust and ownership. She encourages her team to take initiative and feel proud of their work.

“I want them to be proud to say, ‘I work at Ironic.’ That sense of ownership and recognition is what keeps us going, even on the hardest days.”

Nélida also highlights that motivation comes not just from passion but also from measurable progress. Seeing their research validated, receiving recognition, and engaging with customers who appreciate their mission helps drive the team forward.

“Every time we hit a milestone, whether it’s a successful trial, recognition, or people talking about us, it fuels the team’s motivation. It proves that what we’re doing matters.”

When asked about advice for women in leadership, she stresses the importance of strategy over identity. While acknowledging the gender imbalance in leadership, she advises women to focus on their goals and business fundamentals first.

“Stop focusing on whether you’re a woman or not. Focus on what you want to build and how you want to achieve it. Work on your strategy, your partners, your team, because ideas have no gender.”

She also encourages female founders to back their mission with solid data when seeking investment. Many women-led companies are passionate about solving problems but struggle to convey their impact in numbers.

“Passion is great, but investors think in numbers. If you tell them, ‘This is a huge issue,’ they’ll ask, ‘How big?’ You need to give them a number, a statistic, a graph, because investors see through data, not adjectives.” 

Innovation & Scientific Breakthroughs: Reinventing Iron Supplements

At the core of Ironic Biotech’s mission is leveraging fermentation as a tool to create a superior iron supplement. Traditional iron supplements have long been associated with low bioavailability and unpleasant side effects such as nausea, constipation, and poor absorption. Nélida and her team set out to change that. By using a fermentation process, they were able to produce an iron-protein complex that mimics the way iron is naturally absorbed in the body. Unlike conventional iron supplements, which are often derived from mined iron salts or chemically synthesized compounds, Ironic Biotech’s approach allows for better absorption and fewer side effects. Additionally, it provides a more sustainable alternative to conventional iron production, which relies on resource- intensive mining and processing.

“Fermentation is a powerful tool. It lets us take what nature does best and scale it in a way that makes sense for human health. We’re not just making iron more effective, we’re changing the way people think about supplementation.”

This breakthrough not only improves health outcomes for people suffering from iron deficiency but also offers a sustainable alternative to conventional iron sourcing, reducing waste and emissions associated with conventional iron supplements, which often depend on environmentally taxing extraction and refinement processes. Ironic

Biotech’s fermentation-based method provides a more sustainable solution, bypassing the need for extensive mineral extraction and the environmental burden it entails. The ability to scale high-quality nutrition using microbial fermentation is a major step forward in tackling global health challenges while reducing reliance on resource- intensive mining and chemical extraction.

As Ironic Biotech continues to grow, the company is working on clinical trials and regulatory approvals to bring their next-generation iron supplement to market. Their work is not just about creating a better product, but about shaping the future of nutrition through biotech innovation.

Future of Ironic Biotech

The goal is to bring the product to market by 2027. The next critical step is conducting clinical trials to validate the effectiveness and safety of their iron supplement. Ensuring compliance with FDA and EU regulatory standards is essential for a successful market launch.

Beyond iron supplements, the company is exploring new applications of fermentation- based biotechnology to address other micronutrient deficiencies and sustainable nutrition solutions. Nélida envisions Ironic Biotech as a leader in nutritional innovation, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.

”We’ve had huge interest from companies across different sectors, bread, milk, juice, water, medical food, pet food, sports nutrition, you name it. The challenge now is determining where to start. But for me, this goes beyond just one product. I want Ironic Biotech to be a leader in nutritional innovation, creating sustainable, science-backed solutions that change how we think about nutrition and health.”

Ironic Biotech’s journey is a testament to the power of scientific innovation, perseverance, and leadership. With a clear vision and a strong foundation, the company is set to revolutionize the industry and inspire the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs.

The future of biotech and nutrition is being shaped by visionary leaders like Nélida Leiva Eriksson. If you’re interested in collaborating, investing, or learning more about Ironic Biotech, reach out via email at [email protected] and follow their journey as they pave the way for a more sustainable and health-focused future.

Finding the right talent is crucial to driving innovation in fermentation and synthetic biology. At Gibson Watts, we are not just recruiters, we are trusted advisors, market specialists, and partners in your growth. Whether you’re scaling rapidly, entering new markets, or restructuring leadership teams, our global network, deep sector expertise, and consultative approach ensure that we deliver exceptional talent solutions that align with your business goals.

I work with companies like Ironic Biotech to ensure their teams reflect their mission and growth ambitions. Whether you’re a startup looking to scale, an investor seeking top talent, or a biotech professional exploring new opportunities, let’s connect.

Enjoyed my article? If you’d like to be featured in my Female Leadership in Fermentation series you can find me at [email protected]

For women in biotech and beyond, Nélida’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation has no gender, only vision, determination, and data-driven action. If you’re looking for inspiration or guidance in your own entrepreneurial journey, consider joining networks and programs like Nordic Innovation House or the Women in Fermentation group to connect with like-minded professionals and industry leaders to gain the mentorship and resources needed to succeed.

References and Sources

1. Nordic Innovation House – Reach Program:

https://www.nordicinnovationhouse.com/siliconvalley/sv-programs/reach

2. Iron Deficiency Anemia – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448065/

2. Iron Bioavailability from Commercially Available Iron Supplements:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25526967/