FYR Bio Appoints Barbara K. Zehentner as Chief Operating Officer

Veteran laboratory operations leader brings deep expertise scaling high-complexity CLIA/CAP environments and multiomic platforms to support FYR's EV-Omics growth.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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FYR Bio, a biotechnology company leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver AI-enabled multiomic insights, has appointed Barbara K. Zehentner, MBA, PhD, HCLD (ABB), as its new Chief Operating Officer. In her role, Zehentner will lead FYR's operational strategy and execution as the company scales its EV-Omics platform, expands laboratory capacity, and advances collaborations across neuroscience and oncology.

Why it matters

Zehentner's extensive experience in building and leading high-complexity laboratory operations will be crucial as FYR Bio works to expand its platform capabilities and partner programs. Her expertise in scaling complex platforms through quality systems, automation, and disciplined execution will help FYR Bio deliver dependable multiomic outputs to support biomarker programs, clinical studies, and translational decisions.

The details

As COO, Zehentner will oversee FYR Bio's operational strategy and execution, including scaling the company's EV-Omics (EVO) platform, expanding laboratory capacity, and advancing collaborations with biopharma, academic, and clinical partners. Zehentner brings more than two decades of experience building and leading high-complexity laboratory operations, with a focus on multi-site workflows, automation, quality systems, and inspection readiness.

  • FYR Bio announced Zehentner's appointment on February 10, 2026.

The players

FYR Bio

A biotechnology company leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver AI-enabled multiomic insights from a peripheral blood sample.

Barbara K. Zehentner, MBA, PhD, HCLD (ABB)

The new Chief Operating Officer of FYR Bio, with more than two decades of experience building and leading high-complexity laboratory operations.

Chris Booth, PhD

The CEO and co-founder of FYR Bio.

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What they’re saying

“Barbara has a proven record of leading high-complexity laboratory organizations, building teams, and strengthening the operational foundations that enable reliable delivery for clients and partners.”

— Chris Booth, PhD, CEO and co-founder of FYR Bio (PRNewswire)

“I'm excited to join FYR during a pivotal phase of growth. FYR's EV-focused multiomic approach aligns closely with my experience scaling complex platforms through strong quality systems, smart automation, and disciplined execution. I look forward to working with the team to expand capacity, strengthen compliance readiness, and deliver dependable multiomic outputs that help partners move biomarker programs, clinical studies, and translational decisions forward.”

— Barbara K. Zehentner, MBA, PhD, HCLD (ABB), Chief Operating Officer of FYR Bio (PRNewswire)

The takeaway

Zehentner's appointment as COO of FYR Bio underscores the company's commitment to scaling its EV-Omics platform and expanding its collaborations in neuroscience and oncology. Her deep expertise in building and leading high-complexity laboratory operations will be crucial in ensuring FYR Bio can reliably deliver multiomic insights to support its partners' biomarker programs, clinical studies, and translational decisions.