BioHarvest appoints Co-founder Zaki Rakib as CEO, consolidates CDMO operations
BioHarvest Co-Founder Dr. Zaki Rakib has assumed CEO duties, consolidating R&D, manufacturing and operations under its CDMO division. Former CEO Ilan Sobel joins the Board to focus on direct-to-consumer growth after driving the company to about $35 million in revenue in fiscal 2025.
1. Strategic Leadership Transition
BioHarvest has elevated Co-Founder Dr. Zaki Rakib to Chief Executive Officer, shifting Ilan Sobel from his 2020 CEO role to the Board of Directors to pursue the company’s direct-to-consumer business.
2. CDMO Division Consolidation
Dr. Rakib will unify research and development, manufacturing and operational functions within the CDMO division, leveraging his 35 years of executive experience and in-depth knowledge of the Botanical Synthesis™ platform.
3. D2C Business Focus
Ilan Sobel will concentrate on expanding BioHarvest’s D2C arm, including VINIA’s retail footprint and online sales that have served over 85,000 consumers as part of the two-lens growth strategy.
4. Company Performance Highlights
Under Mr. Sobel's leadership since 2020, the company grew from pre-revenue to roughly $35 million in fiscal 2025, while Dr. Rakib previously scaled a tech firm to $380 million in revenue and a $7 billion market cap.