In a world where science is often expressed through equations and formulae, Anne and Don Lakmanaarachchi choose to tell their journey through awe and purpose. Together, they founded PhytoAR Biotechnologie GmbH, a company at the crossroads of nature and innovation, transforming the silent intelligence of plants into powerful instruments for the planet’s future.
Anne, Chief Operating Officer and a scientist by heart and a business chemist by education, brings deep insights into the molecular language of life. Don, Managing Director and a seasoned global entrepreneur, contributes decades of experience in international leadership and agricultural innovation. Their paths could not have been more different, yet it was precisely this contrast that made their vision possible.
From pioneering molecular plant research to building one of the most forward-looking biotechnology enterprises in Europe, they both are redefining how science and strategy intertwine. Guided by curiosity, courage, and compassion, they have transformed complex research into life-affirming innovation, leading a diverse team of experts who share a singular belief: that growth is more than a biological process, it is a concept, a mindset, and a shared responsibility.
When Two Paths Converge
Anne combined her fascination for life’s molecular beauty with business insight, earning a degree in Business Chemistry at Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel. At Bayer’s subsidiary Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik, she advanced to Head of Marketing, mastering the art of translating complex technologies into clear strategic visions—an ability that defines her leadership today.
Thousands of miles away from where Anne’s story began in Northern Germany, Don grew up in Sri Lanka, attending Ananda College—the country’s premier institution where leadership and discipline became early cornerstones. His studies and career took him across continents, from Australia to global development projects funded by the World Bank, USAID, GTZ, and the European Union. He was among the early adopters of GIS-based decision systems to optimize agricultural practices, pioneering ideas that would later evolve into what we now call precision farming. His leadership in managing large, multimillion-dollar projects paved the way for his role as CEO.
When Anne and Don met in Germany, their paths aligned as if by design. In their very first conversations, they recognized the same vision: that growth, whether of plants, people, or ideas, could be redefined. Out of loss and ambition, out of science and leadership, PhytoAR Biotechnologie was born.
Decoding Nature’s Ancient Wisdom
“The story of PhytoAR began not with a product, but with a question: what if the hidden intelligence of plants could be understood, captured, and shared?” Don reflects. Working alongside brilliant minds, including Dr. Dr. Dieter Mahr, a lifelong mentor whose doctorate roots include space science Don uncovered insights pointing to an astonishing truth: resilience and growth in plants are not accidents, but carefully orchestrated molecular strategies.
What most people don’t realize is that chloroplasts, the tiny green engines in every leaf were once independent bacteria, ancient beings that entered into a pact with plants millions of years ago. Today, they still act like command centers of life, regulating not only energy but also growth, resilience, and survival. They function almost like miniature brains.
The most fascinating discovery lies in the chloroplasts of seedlings. A seedling has no choice: it cannot move to a kinder place or wait for better weather. Where it falls, it must fight to live. In that struggle, nature has encoded a survival program more urgent and refined than at any other stage of life. Out of thousands of seeds, only the strongest endure and the chloroplasts hold the molecular script of this fight.
At PhytoAR, the team found a way to capture this script. By extracting messenger RNA from seedling chloroplasts, they can transfer their survival code to other plants by granting them resilience, adaptability, and the power to grow against the odds. “It is less an invention than a revelation: the ancient wisdom of life itself, unlocked for the future of our planet,” Anne explains.
This breakthrough not only opens new frontiers in agriculture on Earth but also holds transformative potential for future Moon and Mars missions. Interestingly, this brings Dieter’s career full circle: one of his doctoral theses was dedicated to space research, linking his early work on plant biology in microgravity directly to the cutting-edge innovations PhytoAR pioneers today.
The Art of Balance
Leading a pioneering biotechnology company while maintaining personal equilibrium presents constant challenges. Yet for Anne and Don, this balance gives their work meaning. PhytoAR is not simply a profession, it’s a mission. And missions require energy, focus, and the wisdom to pause.
For her, balance has always been rooted in her connection to nature. She finds strength in small, quiet moments: the smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of leaves in the wind, the grounding presence of open landscapes. Although Don once bought beautiful garden chairs, Anne often prefers to lie directly on the grass, fully immersed in the earth’s rhythm. “Don sometimes jokes that he must be careful not to step on her as he walks by. These simple moments remind us both of the essence of our work: to give life, in its most natural form, a voice,” she laughs.
For Don, perspective is key. Having lived and worked across continents, he knows that stress is inevitable, but resilience is a choice. Early in his career, when managing large projects, he learned to stay calm under pressure and focus on the bigger picture. Today, he brings that same clarity to PhytoAR, reminding the team that every challenge carries within it the seed of progress. When the day feels particularly overwhelming, he has a simple personal ritual: a glass of whiskey to pause, reflect, and reset.
Together, they strive to create boundaries where possible—safeguarding time for themselves, for laughter, for the simple rituals that make life human. Yet they also accept that their professional and personal worlds blend seamlessly. Some of their most creative ideas have been born not in a boardroom, but during evening walks, lighthearted conversations in the garden, or quiet moments of reflection.
“Our balance, in the end, is less about separation than integration,” Anne observes. “Work and life flow into one another, fueled by shared purpose and deep gratitude. Balance is not the absence of challenge, but the ability to carry both pressure and joy with equal grace—and to never lose sight of the wonder that first inspired our journey.”
A Different Kind of Business Appetite
Anne and Don share a deep passion for business—but not in the way most people think. “Sure, money matters, as it does for everyone,” Anne admits candidly. “But for us, business is also about the thrill of turning ideas into reality. We are, conveniently, the rare founders whose excitement is about curiosity, impact, and innovation—rather than just cash flow.”
Anne’s drive comes from a lifelong fascination with the hidden mechanics of nature and a deep desire to make complex science accessible. She has spent her career translating breakthrough technologies—from flow chemistry to plant biology—into solutions that people around the world can understand and use. For her, a business venture is the bridge between what is possible in the lab and what is possible in life.
Don’s passion is equally unconventional. With decades of international experience and leadership under his belt, he sees business as a living system: adaptable, evolving, and always full of surprises. Success, for him, comes from vision, courage, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities—often with a dash of wit and, when needed, a small blend of whiskey nearby.
A key part of their approach is the incredible international team they have built. Experts in biochemistry, analytics, finance, and business provide constant input from all angles. Among them is Prof. Dr. Mark Ayoub, who has been instrumental in shaping PhytoAR’s business strategy and sees a tremendous international future for the company. His guidance ensures that every scientific breakthrough aligns with a global vision, helping the team translate innovation into scalable, impactful solutions.
“The team’s expertise, commitment, and ability to collaborate seamlessly make ‘thinking out of the box’ feel effortless,” says Gunnar Neumann, CEO of PhytoAR.
Together, they approach business with rigor, creativity, and just enough irony to keep things fun. “Every strategy, product, and partnership is an opportunity to push boundaries, test ideas in the real world, and turn science into stories of growth, resilience and occasionally laughter,” she notes with a smile.
In short, while everyone else is chasing money, Anne and Don are chasing meaning, which is observed by one colleague. And somehow, that makes the money follow them anyway.
Strength in Opposites
One of the greatest strengths behind their success is, ironically, their differences. They are opposites in many ways, and while this can be a challenge, it has also become their greatest advantage.
Don is a perfectionist in the truest sense. He has the patience to study every detail, to refine until nothing is left unresolved. This strength carries its own amusing weakness: his obsession with design. “He can spend hours admiring the futuristic lines of an object, only for me to look at it and say dryly, ‘Yes, Don, it’s a box,”she recalls, her eyes twinkling. “Moments like these have filled our journey with laughter and a healthy dose of perspective.”
Anne, on the other hand, is driven by energy, speed, and a love for the bigger picture. She notices beauty in the world around her—in the colors of a sunset, the call of a bird, the sudden appearance of a robin. Don will glance up, nod, and reply, “Yes, a bird,” before returning to his thoughts. “Where I sometimes struggle with impatience, Don’s calm focus helps to steady me. Where Don risks getting lost in the details, I pull him back to the broader vision,” she acknowledges.
“Together, we have learned that strengths and weaknesses are not opposites to be overcome, but forces to be balanced. Our partnership is not about perfection, it is about complementarity. Don’s precision ensures nothing important is overlooked; my momentum ensures nothing gets stuck in endless refinement,” she continues
A Legacy in the Making
Anne’s professional journey has been defined by a constant drive to make complex science accessible and impactful. She has published countless articles in leading scientific journals and industry magazines, including renowned publishers such as Wiley-VCH, Vogel Communications Group, and Tekno Scienze Publisher. Her expertise has taken her across the globe as a guest speaker at conferences, trade fairs, and scientific symposia, where she has consistently translated cutting-edge technologies into language and insights that resonate across industries.
Don’s professional journey has been marked by a relentless focus on turning agricultural vision into large-scale, tangible results. He has overseen multi-million-euro projects in agrochemicals, fertilizers, and agricultural infrastructure, with work spanning from World Bank and EU-funded programs in Sri Lanka to directing international operations in Germany.
In 2025, PhytoAR Biotechnologie will receive its first major award at the AgriNext conference in Dubai, an accolade that underscores the company’s pioneering role in shaping the future of agriculture.
A Message for Tomorrow’s Leaders
“Leadership is not about fitting into a mold, it’s about stepping forward with courage and authenticity. Women should not hesitate to claim their space and follow their own path. The world of chemistry, like many scientific fields, has long been dominated by men, but times are changing. Women in leadership are no longer the exception, they are essential,” she says.
As Anne likes to joke, the combination of “feminine inspiration and masculine stubbornness” has been the secret to many breakthroughs. Yet beyond gender, leadership is deeply tied to character. At PhytoAR, brilliant women and men from different backgrounds work together seamlessly, complementing one another’s strengths and supporting one another’s weaknesses. “It is proof that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room but about creating an environment where every voice can be heard and valued,” she adds.
Don often adds with a smile that leadership becomes much easier when you are surrounded by such remarkable people. And both agree on one universal truth: “Never give up. Scientific research is unpredictable—it brings setbacks and surprises in equal measure. But that unpredictability is also its gift. Every unexpected result is a step closer to discovery.”
Their advice to aspiring leaders: lead with authenticity, embrace diversity, trust in collaboration, and persevere. “Because true leadership is not about standing above others, it’s about walking alongside them toward a shared vision,” she concludes.
Their mantra remains simple: “Never stop being curious, never stop questioning, and never stop believing that growth is possible, even in the most unexpected places. Success is not built on shortcuts, but on persistence, collaboration, and the courage to dream bigger than what seems possible today. At PhytoAR, our mantra is: balance patience with boldness, science with vision, and detail with imagination. Growth is not only for plants—it is a mindset for life.” she says.
And if there’s one last thought they’d like to share, it’s that, even the most groundbreaking discoveries come with messy experiments, endless questions, and moments of doubt. When nothing seems to work, sometimes all you can do is take a deep breath perhaps a sip of whiskey for Don and keep going. Curiosity, persistence, and laughter are the secret ingredients to turning challenges into breakthroughs. Science, like life, works best when you embrace both the serious and the absurd. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and never stop believing in what’s possible.
