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About Us

Collaborative Laboratory to foster Translation and Drug Discovery

Mission and goals

Our Departments & Specialities

AccelBio is a private non-profit association, recognized as Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB) by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology. The mission of AccelBio is to capitalize existing innovative research at academia and startups and leverage new biological targets and platforms with a capacity for generating new drug candidates ready to be invested. AccelBio complements academic research groups and startups with industry-standard drug discovery capabilities, from target validation to pre-clinical proof of concept, always aligned with a business acumen. This way, AccelBio will de-risk drug discovery assets until they are ready to be out-licensed to industry or established as the foundation of new spin-off companies.

R&I technologies

Develop unique platforms enabling multiple drug discovery programs

Drug Discovery Projects

Identify and translate drug targets into drug discovery programs and new drugs

Training

Train the next generation of Biotech Business Leaders

Associate Members

Created in May 2021, with an operational kick-off in December 2022, AccelBio serves as a dynamic laboratory and a strategic framework for Research and Development organizations to harness and industrialize knowledge.  

AccelBio brings together associates from academia (iMM, IST-iBB, UC), venture capital (VC)-backed startups (CellmAbs, TargTex and BSIM), an investment fund specialized in life sciences (Biovance Capital Partners), biotech companies (VerticalSentinel and Basinnov), one of the leading global pharmaceutical companies (Roche), and the only science and technology park focused on life sciences in Portugal (Biocant).

This strategic alliance encompasses a comprehensive spectrum of capabilities and competencies, positioning AccelBio as a catalytic force in advancing drug discovery. Join us on this transformative journey where collaboration fuels breakthroughs, and innovation knows no bounds.

Governance

Board of Directors

President

Pedro Silva, BSc

President
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Pedro Silva is the Technology Transfer Director at Instituto de Medicina Molecular. Raised 500+ million euros in research and innovation funding, managed 200+ patents, negotiated 50+ license agreements and supported the creation of 30+ startups. From 2010, after work experience in the US, increasing focus on life sciences tech transfer and start-up creation. He is currently member of the Board of two start-ups based on iMM IP. Pedro served as a consultant to start-ups, SMEs, large corporations, and other public and private organizations in strategy, business development, innovation management, intellectual property, licensing, and fundraising. Member and coordinator of projects with European, National and regional funding. Participated as evaluator and expert in different EU funding programs and European Commission missions, respectively. Pedro has a BSc in International Relations and Affairs and a Post-Graduation in European Studies.

Pedro Silva, BSc

Pedro Silva, BSc

President
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Pedro Silva is the Technology Transfer Director at Instituto de Medicina Molecular. Raised 500+ million euros in research and innovation funding, managed 200+ patents, negotiated 50+ license agreements and supported the creation of 30+ startups. From 2010, after work experience in the US, increasing focus on life sciences tech transfer and start-up creation. He is currently member of the Board of two start-ups based on iMM IP. Pedro served as a consultant to start-ups, SMEs, large corporations, and other public and private organizations in strategy, business development, innovation management, intellectual property, licensing, and fundraising. Member and coordinator of projects with European, National and regional funding. Participated as evaluator and expert in different EU funding programs and European Commission missions, respectively. Pedro has a BSc in International Relations and Affairs and a Post-Graduation in European Studies.

Members

Joana Branco, PhD

Member
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Joana Branco is the Executive Director and a Board Member at Biocant – Technology Transfer Association. Joana also serves as a Board of Directors at P-Bio, Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organization.
She has over 16 years of experience in the biotechnology field, first as an entrepreneur, co-founding Gene PreDiT, and then as the innovation director at Biocant Park. Over the years she has been responsible for technology scouting activities, business management for science- backed projects, fund raising and project management, providing support and mentoring to entrepreneurs in the life science area.
Joana Branco holds a degree in Biochemistry, University of Coimbra, a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto and Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, US, and training in Entrepreneurship from Porto Business School.

Joana Branco, PhD

Joana Branco, PhD

Member of the direction
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Joana Branco is the Executive Director and a Board Member at Biocant – Technology Transfer Association. Joana also serves as a Board of Directors at P-Bio, Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organization.
She has over 16 years of experience in the biotechnology field, first as an entrepreneur, co-founding Gene PreDiT, and then as the innovation director at Biocant Park. Over the years she has been responsible for technology scouting activities, business management for science- backed projects, fund raising and project management, providing support and mentoring to entrepreneurs in the life science area.
Joana Branco holds a degree in Biochemistry, University of Coimbra, a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto and Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, US, and training in Entrepreneurship from Porto Business School.

Cláudia Cavadas, PhD

Member
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Cláudia Cavadas is Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra (UC) and the head of the Neuroendocrinology and Aging Group at CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology from UC. At the Faculty of Pharmacy she was Subdirector, member of the Pedagogical Council, elected member of the Scientific Council, of the Assembly and of the Statutory Committee. She was President of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology. Cláudia Cavadas has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Master in Cell Biology and PhD in Pharmacy, in the specialty of Pharmacology, from UC. From 1998 to 2001 she did her PhD research at the Centre Hopitalier Vaudois and at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Cláudia Cavadas, PhD

Cláudia Cavadas, PhD

Member
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Cláudia Cavadas is Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra (UC) and the head of the Neuroendocrinology and Aging Group at CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology from UC. At the Faculty of Pharmacy she was Subdirector, member of the Pedagogical Council, elected member of the Scientific Council, of the Assembly and of the Statutory Committee. She was President of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology. Cláudia Cavadas has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Master in Cell Biology and PhD in Pharmacy, in the specialty of Pharmacology, from UC. From 1998 to 2001 she did her PhD research at the Centre Hopitalier Vaudois and at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ricardo Perdigão Henriques, PhD

Member
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Ricardo Perdigão Henriques is the CEO of Bionova Capital. He leads the identification of new investment opportunities and the management of Hovione Capital’s portfolio companies.
Ricardo has over 15 years of experience in the life sciences sector in USA and Portugal, from biomedical research to the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Bionova Capital, Ricardo was an Investment Manager at Portugal Ventures and an International Business Analyst at BIAL Labs.
Ricardo is a Harvard and MIT-educated scientist with a BSc in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Oncology, with publications in high-ranking journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Oncogene (Nature Publishing Group), and Biotechnology Progress.

Ricardo Perdigão Henriques, PhD

Ricardo Perdigão Henriques, PhD

Member
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Ricardo Perdigão Henriques is the CEO of Bionova Capital. He leads the identification of new investment opportunities and the management of Hovione Capital’s portfolio companies.
Ricardo has over 15 years of experience in the life sciences sector in USA and Portugal, from biomedical research to the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Bionova Capital, Ricardo was an Investment Manager at Portugal Ventures and an International Business Analyst at BIAL Labs.
Ricardo is a Harvard and MIT-educated scientist with a BSc in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Oncology, with publications in high-ranking journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Oncogene (Nature Publishing Group), and Biotechnology Progress.

Margarida Diogo, PhD

Member
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Margarida Diogo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Bioengineering of IST, lecturing among others the courses “Cell and Tissue Engineering” and “Stem Cell Bioengineering”. She is senior researcher at the Stem Cell Engineering Research Group of iBB, leading the Focus Area of Biology and Engineering of Pluripotent Stem Cells. Her research activities are focused on the development of advanced neural and cardiac tissue models from human pluripotent stem cells and their applications for disease modeling, drug screening and toxicology assays. Margarida finished her MSc in Biotechnology in 1999 and her PhD in Biotechnology in 2004, both at Instituto Superior Técnico.

Margarida Diogo, PhD

Margarida Diogo, PhD

Member
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Margarida Diogo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Bioengineering of IST, lecturing among others the courses “Cell and Tissue Engineering” and “Stem Cell Bioengineering”. She is senior researcher at the Stem Cell Engineering Research Group of iBB, leading the Focus Area of Biology and Engineering of Pluripotent Stem Cells. Her research activities are focused on the development of advanced neural and cardiac tissue models from human pluripotent stem cells and their applications for disease modeling, drug screening and toxicology assays. Margarida finished her MSc in Biotechnology in 1999 and her PhD in Biotechnology in 2004, both at Instituto Superior Técnico.

Fiscal Council

President

Nuno Prego Ramos (CellmAbs)

Members

João Seixas (TargTex)
Catarina Cardoso (Basinnov)

General Assembly

President

Sofia Mira Granja (Roche)

Secretary

Maria Gonzalez-Pajuelo (Vertical Sentinel)

Vowel

Rui Brito (BSIM Therapeutics)

Please consult the AccelBio Gender Equality Plan 2023-2026

Meet Our Team

Bárbara Gomes, PhD

Chief Executive Officer
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Bárbara Gomes is the CEO of AccelBio. Bárbara is a senior technology transfer professional with 10 years of professional experience dedicated to biomedical research. As a researcher she received several awards, including the SPBf Young Biophysicist 2020 award. Since 2017 she is dedicated to research funding and technology transfer activities, being a member of projects with European, national and regional funding. As technology transfer officer she managed a technology portfolio consisting of an average of 20 active patents annually, supported competitive funding applications, having raised over 20 million euros, and promoted and negotiated collaborations with private companies. Bárbara was a member of the first cohort of the Women’s Leadership Program promoted by the European Innovation Council. Bárbara Gomes holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, in collaboration with Columbia University, US.

Bárbara Gomes, PhD

Bárbara Gomes, PhD

Chief Executive Officer
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Bárbara Gomes is the CEO of AccelBio. Bárbara is a senior technology transfer professional with 10 years of professional experience dedicated to biomedical research. As a researcher she received several awards, including the SPBf Young Biophysicist 2020 award. Since 2017 she is dedicated to research funding and technology transfer activities, being a member of projects with European, national and regional funding. As technology transfer officer she managed a technology portfolio consisting of an average of 20 active patents annually, supported competitive funding applications, having raised over 20 million euros, and promoted and negotiated collaborations with private companies. Bárbara was a member of the first cohort of the Women’s Leadership Program promoted by the European Innovation Council. Bárbara Gomes holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, in collaboration with Columbia University, US.

CEO

Sílvia Almeida, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer
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Sílvia Almeida, is the CSO of AccelBio since September 2023, bringing two decades of experience bridging academia and the pharmaceutical landscape. Before joining AccelBio, Sílvia worked at Charles River Laboratories Ireland Ltd (CRL-IRE), initially as a Virologist, being responsible for leading the GMP implementation of the Biosafety Department.
Progressing to Department Manager and in vitro Scientific Manager, Sílvia expanded the department’s capabilities, overseeing method transfers, validations, and development. In her recent role as Head of in vitro Scientific Development and Business Strategies, she contributed to departmental strategy decisions, collaborated with global staff, and played a pivotal role in implementing new technologies.
With a decade of lecturing experience, Sílvia also served as a Foreign Visiting Professor for two years at the Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil, lecturing on Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Virology.
Sílvia expertise in virology and immunology stems from a six-year postdoctoral tenure at iMM, focusing on iNKT regulatory cells and follicular helper T cells.
Silvia holds a Ph.D. from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC) – Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UN), specializing in manipulating the immune system by key viral genes in an in vivo cell-restricted context.

Sílvia Almeida, PhD

Sílvia Almeida, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer
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Sílvia Almeida, is the CSO of AccelBio since September 2023, bringing two decades of experience bridging academia and the pharmaceutical landscape. Before joining AccelBio, Sílvia worked at Charles River Laboratories Ireland Ltd (CRL-IRE), initially as a Virologist, being responsible for leading the GMP implementation of the Biosafety Department.
Progressing to Department Manager and in vitro Scientific Manager, Sílvia expanded the department’s capabilities, overseeing method transfers, validations, and development. In her recent role as Head of in vitro Scientific Development and Business Strategies, she contributed to departmental strategy decisions, collaborated with global staff, and played a pivotal role in implementing new technologies.
With a decade of lecturing experience, Sílvia also served as a Foreign Visiting Professor for two years at the Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil, lecturing on Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Virology.
Sílvia expertise in virology and immunology stems from a six-year postdoctoral tenure at iMM, focusing on iNKT regulatory cells and follicular helper T cells.
Silvia holds a Ph.D. from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC) – Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UN), specializing in manipulating the immune system by key viral genes in an in vivo cell-restricted context.

CSO

Ricardo Viais, PhD

Project Manager
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Ricardo Viais, is the Project Manager of AccelBio, bringing his passion to be a bridge builder towards advances in biomedical research and promotion of robust research institutions. Before joining AccelBio, Ricardo served as project manager at iMM on the EpiEpiNet (epilepsy and epileptogenesis network), an international project funded by EU with the goal do reinforce epilepsy research and awareness. At EpiEpiNet, he coordinated international partnerships involving over 100 stakeholders, 4 international research institutions and several national and international patient-oriented association in the epilepsy field. He also supported researchers in secure funding, promoting their entrepreneurial capacity and in organization on over 15 scientific and society oriented events. Throughout his 10-year experience as researcher, Ricardo has focused on neurobiology, neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ricardo holds a PhD in biomedicine from University of Barcelona and, in the last years, has obtained complementary education and training on several areas of project management and Responsible Research and Innovation.

Ricardo Viais, PhD

Ricardo Viais, PhD

Project Manager
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Ricardo Viais, is the Project Manager of AccelBio, bringing his passion to be a bridge builder towards advances in biomedical research and promotion of robust research institutions. Before joining AccelBio, Ricardo served as project manager at iMM on the EpiEpiNet (epilepsy and epileptogenesis network), an international project funded by EU with the goal do reinforce epilepsy research and awareness. At EpiEpiNet, he coordinated international partnerships involving over 100 stakeholders, 4 international research institutions and several national and international patient-oriented association in the epilepsy field. He also supported researchers in secure funding, promoting their entrepreneurial capacity and in organization on over 15 scientific and society oriented events. Throughout his 10-year experience as researcher, Ricardo has focused on neurobiology, neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ricardo holds a PhD in biomedicine from University of Barcelona and, in the last years, has obtained complementary education and training on several areas of project management and Responsible Research and Innovation.

PM

Mariana Branco, PhD

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems
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Mariana Branco is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at Accelbio. As a researcher, Mariana has now 7 years of experience in working with human pluripotent stem cells in the cardiac field. In the past years, she has been dedicated to bring together bioengineer and developmental biology concepts to achieve innovative and cutting-edge in vivo inspired platforms that recreate heart organogenesis in vitro. Since 2021 she has been focused on translating cardiac organoid models for developmental cardiotoxicity screening applications, aiming to overcome the limited available data in humans regarding teratogenicity of already available or new developed drugs. Mariana holds an MSc in Biological Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon and a PhD in Bioengineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

Mariana Branco, PhD

Mariana Branco, PhD

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems
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Mariana Branco is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at Accelbio. As a researcher, Mariana has now 7 years of experience in working with human pluripotent stem cells in the cardiac field. In the past years, she has been dedicated to bring together bioengineer and developmental biology concepts to achieve innovative and cutting-edge in vivo inspired platforms that recreate heart organogenesis in vitro. Since 2021 she has been focused on translating cardiac organoid models for developmental cardiotoxicity screening applications, aiming to overcome the limited available data in humans regarding teratogenicity of already available or new developed drugs. Mariana holds an MSc in Biological Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon and a PhD in Bioengineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems

Cláudia Miranda, PhD

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems
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Cláudia Miranda is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio.
Cláudia has 12 years of experience in stem cell engineering. As a researcher, she was involved in several projects, aiming at the expansion and neural induction of human pluripotent stem cells. Cláudia focused on the neurodevelopmental effects of different drugs, to pave the way to creating new platforms for the assessment of drug-induced toxicity during embryonic development. Overall, her research includes 36 different co-authors, collaborations with 2 biotech companies, and international universities, including Bönn University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since 2020, she is focused on the generation of an advanced kidney organoid model for drug safety and toxicity screening.
Cláudia holds a Degree in Biochemistry from FCT NOVA Lisbon, a MSc in Biotechnology and a PhD in Biotechnology and Biosciences from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

Cláudia Miranda, PhD

Cláudia Miranda, PhD

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems
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Cláudia Miranda is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio.
Cláudia has 12 years of experience in stem cell engineering. As a researcher, she was involved in several projects, aiming at the expansion and neural induction of human pluripotent stem cells. Cláudia focused on the neurodevelopmental effects of different drugs, to pave the way to creating new platforms for the assessment of drug-induced toxicity during embryonic development. Overall, her research includes 36 different co-authors, collaborations with 2 biotech companies, and international universities, including Bönn University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since 2020, she is focused on the generation of an advanced kidney organoid model for drug safety and toxicity screening.
Cláudia holds a Degree in Biochemistry from FCT NOVA Lisbon, a MSc in Biotechnology and a PhD in Biotechnology and Biosciences from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

Researcher – Advanced in vitro systems

João Leandro, PhD

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects
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João Leandro is a Translational Researcher at AccelBio, supporting drug discovery projects. João is a biochemist with experience in early drug discovery programs for several human rare disorders from genetic and biochemical validation of drug targets in cell and mouse models, assay development, HTS, hit validation and in vitro testing. He has also worked in enzyme replacement therapies using nanoparticles for delivery of human enzymes. For his work in Phenylketonuria, he was awarded the 2011 European Phenylketonuria Group Best Presentation in Basic Research. João Leandro holds a Bachelor in Applied Chemistry-Biotechnology from the FCT NOVA Lisbon, and a PhD in Pharmacy-Biochemistry from the Faculty of Pharmacy in Lisbon, in collaboration with the University of Bergen, Norway. He did two Post-doctoral studies: at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Lisbon, in collaboration with Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Germany, and at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, US.

João Leandro, PhD

João Leandro, PhD

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects
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João Leandro is a Translational Researcher at AccelBio, supporting drug discovery projects. João is a biochemist with experience in early drug discovery programs for several human rare disorders from genetic and biochemical validation of drug targets in cell and mouse models, assay development, HTS, hit validation and in vitro testing. He has also worked in enzyme replacement therapies using nanoparticles for delivery of human enzymes. For his work in Phenylketonuria, he was awarded the 2011 European Phenylketonuria Group Best Presentation in Basic Research. João Leandro holds a Bachelor in Applied Chemistry-Biotechnology from the FCT NOVA Lisbon, and a PhD in Pharmacy-Biochemistry from the Faculty of Pharmacy in Lisbon, in collaboration with the University of Bergen, Norway. He did two Post-doctoral studies: at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Lisbon, in collaboration with Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Germany, and at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, US.

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects

Vânia Cardoso, PhD

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects
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Vânia Cardoso has 10 years’ experience in immunology research and preclinical studies, both at academia and at a biotech company. During her masters she studied the immune modulation in the field of infectious diseases and during the PhD she uncovered the role of neuronal inputs in innate lymphoid cell function. In late 2018, Vânia joined LiMM Therapeutics as one of the founding scientists where she worked as responsible for the scientific project management and conceptual and technical coordination of R&D activities using both preclinical experimental models and human tissue samples for translational research.
Vânia graduated in Biochemistry at the University of Minho, Portugal (2012). In 2014, she was granted with a master’s degree in Health Sciences by University of Minho, Portugal, In 2019, Vânia was awarded a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Immunology.

Vânia Cardoso, PhD

Vânia Cardoso, PhD

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects
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Vânia Cardoso has 10 years’ experience in immunology research and preclinical studies, both at academia and at a biotech company. During her masters she studied the immune modulation in the field of infectious diseases and during the PhD she uncovered the role of neuronal inputs in innate lymphoid cell function. In late 2018, Vânia joined LiMM Therapeutics as one of the founding scientists where she worked as responsible for the scientific project management and conceptual and technical coordination of R&D activities using both preclinical experimental models and human tissue samples for translational research.
Vânia graduated in Biochemistry at the University of Minho, Portugal (2012). In 2014, she was granted with a master’s degree in Health Sciences by University of Minho, Portugal, In 2019, Vânia was awarded a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Immunology.

Translational Researcher – Drug Discovery Projects

Caio Franco, PhD

Researcher – High Throughput Screening
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Caio Franco is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio leading the High Throughput Screening assays.
He has published 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals, summing 596 citations (cumulative impact factor 118.2, h-factor: 14 -, Jan 2023). The main research developed by C. Franco is in the fields of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Parasitology. His main activities are focused on the design and establishment of numerous in vitro infection screening assays (chiefly based on high-content microscopy analysis), performing large-scale screenings with libraries of small molecules/natural products, and phenotypic and genetic characterization of drug-resistant pathogens. He has also established a screening assay to identify compounds that disrupt/inhibit biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus spp.). Caio completed a PhD in Sciences (Major in Microbiology and Immunology) from Federal University of São Paulo in 2018.

Caio Franco, PhD

Caio Franco, PhD

Researcher – High Throughput Screening
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Caio Franco is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio leading the High Throughput Screening assays.
He has published 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals, summing 596 citations (cumulative impact factor 118.2, h-factor: 14 -, Jan 2023). The main research developed by C. Franco is in the fields of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Parasitology. His main activities are focused on the design and establishment of numerous in vitro infection screening assays (chiefly based on high-content microscopy analysis), performing large-scale screenings with libraries of small molecules/natural products, and phenotypic and genetic characterization of drug-resistant pathogens. He has also established a screening assay to identify compounds that disrupt/inhibit biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus spp.). Caio completed a PhD in Sciences (Major in Microbiology and Immunology) from Federal University of São Paulo in 2018.

Researcher – High Throughput Screening

Jacek Marzec, PhD

Researcher – Multiomics
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Jacek Marzec is a Computational Biologist leading the bioinformatics analyses of multi-omics data involved in AccelBio’s projects. Jacek has 14 years of academic and professional experience in analysing, integrating and visualising heterogeneous sets of biological data. Jacek was involved in multiple research and in precision medicine projects pursued across various labs in UK and in Australia. During the appointment in Precision Oncology group at University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research Jacek has developed an innovative bioinformatic tool for analysing patients’ transcriptome profiles to complement genome-based findings and to aid clinicians in providing most optimal therapy and drug advice to cancer patients. Jacek holds an MSc in Applied Bioinformatics from Cranfield University and a PhD in Bioinformatics from the Centre for Molecular Oncology, Queen Mary University London.

Jacek Marzec, PhD

Jacek Marzec, PhD

Researcher – Multiomics
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Jacek Marzec is a Computational Biologist leading the bioinformatics analyses of multi-omics data involved in AccelBio’s projects. Jacek has 14 years of academic and professional experience in analysing, integrating and visualising heterogeneous sets of biological data. Jacek was involved in multiple research and in precision medicine projects pursued across various labs in UK and in Australia. During the appointment in Precision Oncology group at University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research Jacek has developed an innovative bioinformatic tool for analysing patients’ transcriptome profiles to complement genome-based findings and to aid clinicians in providing most optimal therapy and drug advice to cancer patients. Jacek holds an MSc in Applied Bioinformatics from Cranfield University and a PhD in Bioinformatics from the Centre for Molecular Oncology, Queen Mary University London.

Researcher – Multiomics

Margarida Coelho, PhD

Researcher – Multiomics
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Margarida Coelho is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio, bringing over a decade of expertise in small molecule and protein studies. Proficient in liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), she has expertise in developing and validating analytical methods. Previously, she utilized stable isotope tracers to understand the metabolism of different organisms. Her doctoral research focused on discovering malignancy biomarkers with the aim of enhancing the accuracy of cancer diagnosis. Through a multi-omic analysis, she integrated proteomic and metabolomic profiles while employing analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. Margarida holds a master’s degree in Biochemistry, along with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Coimbra.

Margarida Coelho, PhD

Margarida Coelho, PhD

Researcher – Multiomics
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Margarida Coelho is an Assistant Doctoral Researcher at AccelBio, bringing over a decade of expertise in small molecule and protein studies. Proficient in liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), she has expertise in developing and validating analytical methods. Previously, she utilized stable isotope tracers to understand the metabolism of different organisms. Her doctoral research focused on discovering malignancy biomarkers with the aim of enhancing the accuracy of cancer diagnosis. Through a multi-omic analysis, she integrated proteomic and metabolomic profiles while employing analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. Margarida holds a master’s degree in Biochemistry, along with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Coimbra.

Researcher – Multiomics

Bruno Victor, PhD

Computational Medicinal Chemist
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Bruno L. Victor is the Computational Medicinal Chemist of AccelBio. He is also an Invited Auxiliary Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL).

Before joining AccelBio, Bruno worked at BSIM Therapeutics as a computational chemist, where he developed and applied proprietary approaches to identify and develop therapeutic agents targeting proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Following his work at BSIM Therapeutics, he returned to academia to work on drug discovery and development projects at FCUL and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL). In 2019 he became the Principal Researcher of the Structure-based Drug Discovery research group at FCUL/BiolSI, and in 2023, he joined Zymvol Biomodeling, a biotech company dedicated to protein discovery and engineering.

Bruno earned his degree in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra and his PhD in Biochemistry from the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ITQB), NOVA University of Lisbon (UNL).

Bruno Victor, PhD

Bruno Victor, PhD

Computational Medicinal Chemist
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Bruno L. Victor is the Computational Medicinal Chemist of AccelBio. He is also an Invited Auxiliary Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL).

Before joining AccelBio, Bruno worked at BSIM Therapeutics as a computational chemist, where he developed and applied proprietary approaches to identify and develop therapeutic agents targeting proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Following his work at BSIM Therapeutics, he returned to academia to work on drug discovery and development projects at FCUL and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL). In 2019 he became the Principal Researcher of the Structure-based Drug Discovery research group at FCUL/BiolSI, and in 2023, he joined Zymvol Biomodeling, a biotech company dedicated to protein discovery and engineering.

Bruno earned his degree in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra and his PhD in Biochemistry from the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ITQB), NOVA University of Lisbon (UNL).

CMC

Ana Luísa Rayagra, MSc

Lab Technician – Advanced in vitro systems
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Ana Luísa Rayagra is a Research Technician at AccelBio. She is currently supporting the development of AccelBio’s “Advanced in vitro systems” platform, namely on generating human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac, renal, and neural models for toxicity assessment. Ana Luísa holds an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon. Her MSc project, carried out at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), aimed to develop novel 3D cardiac models derived from patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells to study Rett syndrome.

Ana Luísa Rayagra, MSc

Ana Luísa Rayagra, MSc

Lab Technician – Advanced in vitro systems
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Ana Luísa Rayagra is a Research Technician at AccelBio. She is currently supporting the development of AccelBio’s “Advanced in vitro systems” platform, namely on generating human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac, renal, and neural models for toxicity assessment. Ana Luísa holds an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon. Her MSc project, carried out at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), aimed to develop novel 3D cardiac models derived from patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells to study Rett syndrome.

Lab Technician – Advanced in vitro systems

International Advisory Board

Ivo Lorenz, PhD

Ivo Lorenz is the Head of Biologics at Deerfield Discovery and Development in New York. A native of Switzerland, he obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After his postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University, Dr. Lorenz held group leader positions at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, where he gained extensive experience in biologics drug discovery and project management. He then established and led the biologics discovery team in his role as Vice President, Biologics at the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, an academic drug discovery center jointly run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. At Deerfield, Dr. Lorenz and his team work on a pipeline of biologics discovery and development programs to find new, innovative medicines for a variety of diseases, and advance them to the clinic. In his additional role as Head of Academic Outreach, Dr. Lorenz supports the sourcing of new projects from Deerfield’s large network of academic institutions across the United States.

Ivo Lorenz, PhD

Ivo Lorenz, PhD

Ivo Lorenz is the Head of Biologics at Deerfield Discovery and Development in New York. A native of Switzerland, he obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After his postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University, Dr. Lorenz held group leader positions at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, where he gained extensive experience in biologics drug discovery and project management. He then established and led the biologics discovery team in his role as Vice President, Biologics at the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, an academic drug discovery center jointly run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. At Deerfield, Dr. Lorenz and his team work on a pipeline of biologics discovery and development programs to find new, innovative medicines for a variety of diseases, and advance them to the clinic. In his additional role as Head of Academic Outreach, Dr. Lorenz supports the sourcing of new projects from Deerfield’s large network of academic institutions across the United States.

Molly Harper, MBA

Molly Harper is the Chief Business Officer at Synlogic and is a member of the Board of Directors for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals and PreciseDx, bringing more than 20 years of operating experience in the biopharma industry, with a focus on translating development assets into commercialized products. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Relmada Therapeutics, and was a member of the founding team at Akcea Therapeutics, where her last position was Senior Vice President and Global Franchise General Manager, with responsibility for a six-drug portfolio, including the commercialization of two rare disease drugs. Ms. Harper previously served in commercial leadership positions at Genzyme and Merck & Co. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Cornell University.

Molly Harper, MBA

Molly Harper, MBA

Molly Harper is the Chief Business Officer at Synlogic and is a member of the Board of Directors for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals and PreciseDx, bringing more than 20 years of operating experience in the biopharma industry, with a focus on translating development assets into commercialized products. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Relmada Therapeutics, and was a member of the founding team at Akcea Therapeutics, where her last position was Senior Vice President and Global Franchise General Manager, with responsibility for a six-drug portfolio, including the commercialization of two rare disease drugs. Ms. Harper previously served in commercial leadership positions at Genzyme and Merck & Co. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Cornell University.

Katie Ellias, MBA

Katie Ellias is the Managing Director of T1D Fund since 2018, where she has led a number of investments in companies developing T1D-oriented therapies. She currently serves as a director on the board of SAB Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: SABS), represents the T1D Fund as a director of DiogenX, and Veralox Therapeutics, and serves on the board of Fund companies Nipuna, Therapeutics, Cour Therapeutics, Seraxis, i2O Therapeutics, and Biolinq. Ms. Ellias joined the T1D Fund from Endeavour Vision, a Geneva-based growth stage venture fund. She was previously Principal at Sofinnova Partners, Paris, a leading early-stage life sciences fund. Ms. Ellias has also held commercial and business development roles with Medtronic and started her career at McKinsey & Company. Katie holds an M.B.A. in Healthcare Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Yale University.

Katie Ellias, MBA

Katie Ellias, MBA

Katie Ellias is the Managing Director of T1D Fund since 2018, where she has led a number of investments in companies developing T1D-oriented therapies. She currently serves as a director on the board of SAB Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: SABS), represents the T1D Fund as a director of DiogenX, and Veralox Therapeutics, and serves on the board of Fund companies Nipuna, Therapeutics, Cour Therapeutics, Seraxis, i2O Therapeutics, and Biolinq. Ms. Ellias joined the T1D Fund from Endeavour Vision, a Geneva-based growth stage venture fund. She was previously Principal at Sofinnova Partners, Paris, a leading early-stage life sciences fund. Ms. Ellias has also held commercial and business development roles with Medtronic and started her career at McKinsey & Company. Katie holds an M.B.A. in Healthcare Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Yale University.

Toni Andreu, PhD

Toni Andreu is the current Scientific Director of EATRIS (The European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine), a position he has held since 2018. Toni is an M.D., Ph.D. specialised in genetics and genomics of rare diseases. He has been working in the field of neuromuscular disorders from a clear translational perspective, from basic science to the development of cell and animal models and clinical research. During his career he has published over 180 scientific papers, numerous book chapters and supervised several PhD programs. After working at Columbia University in New York on mitochondrial disorders from 1998 to 2001, he moved to Barcelona to create the Neuromuscular Lab at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute where he became Director of the Neurosciences Research Program and later CEO of the University Hospital of Bellvitge, one of the largest health care institutions in Spain.
He has also been extremely active in the field of policy-making, and has held positions as the Director of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III as well as the Director General for Research and Innovation at the Catalan Ministry of Health.

Toni Andreu, PhD

Toni Andreu, PhD

Toni Andreu is the current Scientific Director of EATRIS (The European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine), a position he has held since 2018. Toni is an M.D., Ph.D. specialised in genetics and genomics of rare diseases. He has been working in the field of neuromuscular disorders from a clear translational perspective, from basic science to the development of cell and animal models and clinical research. During his career he has published over 180 scientific papers, numerous book chapters and supervised several PhD programs. After working at Columbia University in New York on mitochondrial disorders from 1998 to 2001, he moved to Barcelona to create the Neuromuscular Lab at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute where he became Director of the Neurosciences Research Program and later CEO of the University Hospital of Bellvitge, one of the largest health care institutions in Spain.
He has also been extremely active in the field of policy-making, and has held positions as the Director of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III as well as the Director General for Research and Innovation at the Catalan Ministry of Health.

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