Codexis steers enzymes toward biofuels

Codexis Inc. interim CEO Peter Strumph has his pick of challenges: a sinking stock price, disillusioned investors and big market milestones that will take years to reach.

Strumph inherited a company that turned over its top two executives — CEO Alan Shaw and CFO Robert Lawson — in February and is hoping investors will bear with it as it pursues advanced bio-based fuels and chemicals.

In the meantime, Strumph is honing Codexis’s focus — and pulling back from some of the more ambitious plans of former CEO Shaw.