Name: Nikola Lončar
Affiliation: GECCO Biotech B.V. (GECCO)
Address: Zernikepark 6-8, 9747AN, Groningen, The Netherlands
ORCID: 0000-0002-3420-973X
Scopus: 35760421700
Short biography:
Nikola Lončar is an accomplished entrepreneur and scientist, currently serving as CEO of GECCO Biotech. Dr. Lončar is passionate about translating academic excellence into industrial applications and empowering team growth. He co-founded GECCO Biotech, evolving it into a prominent innovation partner for development of enzymatic processes while simultaneously developing a robust IP portfolio for licensing. His leadership has secured substantial non-dilutive funding, driving the company’s growth. At OXYCO, a joint venture, in the CSO role he focuses on bringing bio-melanin to various industries. His academic background includes post-doctoral research at the University of Groningen, specializing in oxidoreductase discovery and application, which led to numerous publications and patent applications. He holds a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Belgrade, where he also served as a research associate and teaching assistant. Dr. Lončar has a strong record of international collaboration and holds several patents related to enzyme applications, demonstrating his ability to bridge the gap between research and industry.
Company description:
GECCO Biotech BV was founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the University of Groningen. The company specializes in resolving technical bottlenecks in biocatalysis, focusing on the development of tailor-made enzymes and processes that address specific real-world industrial challenges. Leveraging deep expertise in enzyme discovery and engineering, GECCO provides solutions for the pharmaceutical, flavor, and fragrance sectors, among others. The company is enzyme-agnostic, with a particular focus on enzymes defined by a complex interplay of factors, including sensitivity to reaction conditions and the necessity for sophisticated cofactor regeneration.
Drawing on extensive experience from R&D collaborations with industrial partners and multiple EU and NWO-funded projects, GECCO identifies and adapts biocatalysts for high-value applications. The company’s active participation in these diverse public-private consortia ensures a continuous exchange of knowledge with leading global research groups, keeping GECCO’s methodologies at the forefront of the latest scientific advancements.
Facilities, infrastructure & equipment:
GECCO’s contribution to the partnership is anchored by its fully licensed, modern laboratory infrastructure. The facility features a specialized ML-1 lab equipped with high-throughput robotic pipetting stations, PCR & rtPCR systems, and ultra-low temperature storage. For process development, the site includes dual Biostat B fermentors (1–10L) and AKTA Pure and Explorer systems for downstream processing. Additionally, GECCO maintains dedicated reactors for scaling chemoenzymatic processes up to 10L using soluble and immobilized enzymes. The technical suite is rounded out by a comprehensive analytical department. This includes four (U)HPLC systems equipped with UV, PDA, CAD, and MS detectors, specifically configured for complex method development. By housing both lab-scale and pilot-scale equipment under one roof, GECCO’s infrastructure provides the necessary physical resources to transition research from initial molecular work through to standardized process validation.
Relevant publications and/or research/innovation products:
- O. Pećanac, A. Belyy, C. Martin, R. Kleissen, M. W. Fraaije, Nikola Lončar, Biocatalytic application and structural elucidation of robust bacterial protein nanocages, Mat. Adv. 2025, 6, 5303-5309. DOI: 10.1039/D5MA00268K
- D. Carraretto, L. Alonso-Cotchico, C. Martin, M. Trajković, H. L. van Beek, A. Mattevi, M. W. Fraaije, M. F. Lucas, N. Lončar, Broadening the Catalytic Scope of the Peroxygenase Activity of a Bacterial Tyrosine Hydroxylase. ChemCatChem 2024, e202401819. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202401819
- O. Pećanac, C. Martin, S. Savino, H. J. Rozeboom, M. W. Fraaije, N. Lončar, Biochemical and Structural Characterisation of a Bacterial Lactoperoxidase, ChemBioChem 2024, e202400713. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202400713
- Y. Guo, L. Alvigini, M. Trajkovic, L. Alonso-Cotchico, E. Monza, S. Savino, I. Marić, A. Mattevi, M.W. Fraaije Structure- and computational-aided engineering of an oxidase to produce isoeugenol from a lignin-derived compound. Nat Commun. 2022, 13, 7195. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34912-3
- N. Lončar, L. Alonso Cotchico, Bacterial unspecific peroxygenases (BUPOs) and methods and uses thereof, WO2022066007A1, 2022.