Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic is a renowned biotech entrepreneur, accomplished cancer scientist, and medicinal chemist with more than 15 years of experience in drug development. He has created multiple patent families and registered over 400 patents. His pioneering work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the SEF Award (2015), the Nikola Tesla Award (2021), and the Nikola Tesla Spirit Award (2023). Together with his sister, Natasa, Vladimir co-invented bimiralisib (PQR309), a best-in-class dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor with therapeutic potential against various cancers. Vladimir has raised over $250 million in funding and, in 2018, founded Swiss Rockets AG. Under his leadership, Swiss Rockets drives several groundbreaking ventures spanning oncology, radioligand therapy, infectious diseases, neurology, and autoimmune disorders. All companies share the same mission: to transform global healthcare by addressing unmet medical needs and protecting patient well-being. Together with his distinguished team of global innovators and visionaries, Vladimir has established a strong reputation for scientific excellence.

Dr. Dana Corina Novac is Senior Medical Director at Swiss Rockets AG in Basel. A medical doctor with more than 17 years of experience in oncology clinical development and medical affairs, she has worked at both national and global levels, contributing to the advancement of innovative cancer therapies. Over the course of her career, she has held medical and clinical development roles at Nanobiotix, Ipsen, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer, working on radioenhancers, radiopharmaceuticals, immuno-oncology, precision medicine, etc. She has collaborated with clinicians, regulatory authorities, and academic experts to move promising treatments forward, with a focus on patient outcomes and scientific rigor. Dr. Novac earned her MD from the University of Timișoara and a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Strasbourg, reflecting her interest in both medical science and the human dimensions of healthcare.

Dr. Nebojša Milović is the CTO and Co-Founder of Volnay Therapeutics. He leads cell and gene therapy (CGTx) development, manufacturing, and technological innovation at the company. Prior to Volnay, Dr. Milovic held senior leadership roles in cell and gene therapy at Takeda, serving as Vice President and Head of Cell Therapies Technology and Product Engine. He also spent over a decade at Novartis Cell and Gene Therapies Unit, where he held roles including Head of Cell Process Design, Head of Strategy & Automation, and Strategy and Project Portfolio Manager. Dr. Milovic earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Iowa State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With extensive expertise in CGTx development, process design, technical R&D, automation, and strategy, Dr. Milovic has a proven track record of driving innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Branka Rakić is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Novi Sad. After completing her studies in molecular biology in Belgrade, Branka Rakić obtained her PhD in Austria in the field of epigenetics. She worked as a toxicologist in the pharmaceutical industry and collaborated as a scientific consultant with research centers in the USA. After returning to Serbia, she decided to start her own startup but also to return to science and research through her work at the institute. As a team leader, she is actively engaged in the application of AI in healthcare and life sciences, and is recognized as one of the leading experts in this field both nationally and regionally.

Diego Stone is the Co-founder and CEO of Qnity, leading breakthrough innovation in drug discovery that is reshaping the future of pharmaceutical development. He is also the Co-founder of The FusionLab, a venture builder in Brazil dedicated to advancing agrifoodtech innovation. With over seven years of experience in deeptech startups and a proven track record as a serial founder, he has been at the forefront of creating and scaling agritech and healthtech solutions. His expertise spans innovation, entrepreneurship, and international business development, built on a strong foundation in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He holds a Master’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering, an MBA in Agribusiness from the University of São Paulo, and the Stanford Ignite Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Stanford Graduate School of Business. His mission is to leverage cutting-edge science and technology to drive impact innovation, creating value for both consumers and the environment.

Marko Grujić is the founder of NeuroBlast and one of the pioneers in applying gaming and technology to rehabilitation in Serbia. After completing his studies in electronics and telecommunications, he began his career in the IT and IoT industry, where he worked on developing advanced solutions for smart devices and industrial automation. Marko founded NeuroBlast, an innovative platform that uses video games for neurological rehabilitation. This fusion of technology and medicine has been recognized in both domestic and international innovation circles, and his work has been awarded at numerous competitions and conferences. As an entrepreneur and innovator, Marko actively collaborates with healthcare institutions, researchers, and experts from various fields to improve patients’ quality of life through accessible and effective digital solutions. He is considered one of the leaders of a new generation of innovators in the region who are pushing the boundaries between technology and health.

Giannis Anastasiadis has diverse work experience in design, user research, and product development. Giannis has held positions at various companies, including Huma, Cylo, Medtronic Digital Surgery, Tryphealth, Biomet, TU Delft, Study association i.d, and Korres Natural Products. Giannis has worked in leadership roles and has also been involved in user research, product design, and development. Giannis has extensive experience in designing digital products in the healthcare industry, including surgical training and remote patient monitoring platforms. Additionally, Anastasiadis has worked on projects involving user testing, concept generation, and industrial design engineering. Giannis Anastasiadis has a Master of Science (MSc) in Industrial Design Engineering from Delft University of Technology, which they obtained from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Product and Systems Design Engineering from the University of the Aegean, completing their studies from 2004 to 2011. In 2020, Giannis Anastasiadis obtained an Expert Scrum Master Certified (ESMC) certification from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

Željko Mladenovic is a Director of Software Engineering & Software Architect at HistoSonics, Inc, a cutting-edge medical technology company that’s developing histotripsy, a non-invasive therapy that uses focused ultrasound to destroy unwanted tissue and tumors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from University of Novi Sad. He’s been in USA since 2005. and his expertise lies in medical device innovation, FDA and ISO regulations for medical devices, software engineering, and cybersecurity. He spent last 25 years developing and leading development of software for medical devices, from image acquisition and reconstruction software for CT scanners, web-based tools for viewing CT images and physician collaboration to the software that controls complex robotic hardware delivering noninvasive treatment that destroys unwanted tissue and tumors. He is on the mission with his colleagues from HistoSonics to bring histotripsy into everyday clinical practice and to provide hope to patients with serious diseases.

Dace Dimza-Jones is the National Life Sciences Inward Investment Specialist at the UK Department for Business and Trade. She leads efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Life Sciences sector in Northern England, developing collaborations across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, MedTech, healthcare, academia and clinical research. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Head of Northern Powerhouse Life Sciences: Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, where she focused on growing and evolving the Life Sciences ecosystem in the North, matching overseas businesses to regional opportunities, and advising on setting up or expanding operations in the region. She works closely with regional partners and stakeholders to identify investment locations, organise investor delegations, and ensure investment aligns with levelling-up and health equity priorities. She is recognised for her impact in international investment attraction and her understanding of both innovation ecosystems and global health systems.

Jelena Bojović is the Director of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Serbia since its establishment. She has over 20 years of experience in public policy, regulatory reform, and digitalization, with a strong focus on building public-private partnerships and implementing development strategies. Her work includes reforming the legislative framework, attracting investments, and advancing healthcare digitalization, including the national eHealth program. Prior to this role, she served as Program Director and later Director for Regulatory Reform at NALED, and gained international experience through projects across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. She holds a degree in molecular biology and physiology, with a specialization in experimental biochemistry.

H.E. Mrs. Michelle Cameron is a career executive with Global Affairs Canada, currently serving as Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. She has previously represented Canada abroad as Ambassador to the Lebanese Republic with responsibilities for Syria, as Counsellor and Consul in Afghanistan, and Second Secretary in the Republic of Turkey, in addition to longer-term assistance missions to Mali, Iraq, Haiti, and Costa Rica. At headquarters, Ms. Cameron served as Director General in Human Resources, Head of an inter-departmental taskforce the PS752 disaster, Director of Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Transnational Crime Reduction Programs, Executive Director of Mission Inspections, Director of Mission Security and Emergency Preparedness, and other roles. Throughout her career, she has often served as a first responder for international crises, including conflicts, natural disasters, and cases of kidnapped Canadians. Through this work, she has received Minister’s Award for Consular Excellence, Ambassador’s Award for the Evacuation of Canadian Citizens, Certificate of Commendation from the Privy Council for work on the Haiti Earthquake Response, Afghanistan Operational Service Medal, Assistant Deputy Minister’s Instant Award for work on Arab Spring Analysis and Response, Assistant Deputy Minister’s Instant Award for Leadership, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Previous to joining Global Affairs Canada, Ms. Cameron was an independent film and television producer, and a high-school math, science and computer science teacher.

H.E. Mr. Luca Gori is a career diplomat at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he has served since 1995.
From 2021 to 2022, he was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Between 2018 and 2021, he held the position of Deputy Political Director and Principal Director for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Gulf Countries. From 2016 to 2017, he worked in the Office of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was a member of the steering committee for the MED Dialogues. Previously, from 2015 to 2016, he served in the Foreign Minister’s Cabinet as speechwriter and member of the steering committee for the MED Dialogues.
From 2014 to 2015, he was First Counsellor at the Presidency of the Republic of Italy, responsible for the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Gulf. From 2010 to 2014, he headed the Press and Public Affairs Office at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked in the Foreign Minister’s Cabinet as speechwriter. From 2003 to 2007, he served as Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union in Brussels, acting as Italian delegate to the EU for the Balkans. From 1999 to 2003, he was posted at the Embassy of Italy in Moscow, working in the political section as First Secretary. He began his diplomatic career in the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome from 1995 to 1999.
In 2021, he was awarded the title of Knight Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
He studied Political Science at the University of Florence, graduating cum laude in 1993, and pursued further studies at the Sorbonne University in Paris through the Erasmus Programme. He completed the School of Diplomatic Studies in Florence in 1995. He is the author of several publications on international relations, including books on Russia, the European Union and Italian national interest.
He speaks Italian, English, French and Russian.

Florence Ferrari was appointed Ambassador of France to Serbia by decree on September 19, 2025. Previously, she served as Deputy Inspector General of Foreign Affairs (2023–2025) and as Ambassador to Slovenia (2018–2022). A career diplomat, Florence Ferrari joined the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in 1995, initially as a desk officer in the Directorate for Continental Europe (1995–1998). During her service at the Quai d’Orsay, she held several senior positions, particularly related to the European Union, Eastern Europe and the Balkans, as well as human resources. She was Deputy Director for Russia and Eastern Europe (2009–2013), Deputy Director for Human Resources (2013–2015), before joining the Inspectorate as Head of Mission and later serving as Deputy Inspector General of Foreign Affairs (2022–2025). She also served as Head of Department at the General Secretariat for European Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister (2005–2009). Florence Ferrari has held several international assignments: she was an exchange diplomat at the German Federal Foreign Office (1998–1999); Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union (1999–2003); and National Expert seconded to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement (2003–2005). Before her appointment as Ambassador of France to Slovenia (2018–2022), she served as Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of France in Canada (2015–2018). Florence Ferrari studied classical literature (preparatory classes for higher studies) and holds a Master’s degree in German language and culture from the University of Paris IV – Sorbonne. She is also a graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), where she specialized in public administration. She is a Knight of the Legion of Honour and an Officer of the National Order of Merit. She speaks fluent English and German, and has working knowledge of Italian, Russian, and Slovenian.

H.E. Mrs. Anne Lugon-Moulin is ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia and Montenegro from September 2024.
From 2019 to 2024, she has served as Ambassador of Switzerland in Côte d’Ivoire, with secondary accreditations in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. During this time, she also hold the position of President of the International Cocoa Organisation during two years.
From 2013 to 2019, she was Ambassador and Head of the Sub-Sahara Division within the Political Directorate of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Berne. Before that, she headed the Division for CIS countries within the Directorate for Development and Cooperation of the FDFA during four years. From 2008 to 2009, she led a non-profit research institute, the Basel Institute on Governance/International Center for Asset Recovery, in Basel. From 2004 to 2008, she was Deputy Head of the Governance Section at the FDFA, with focus on the Western Balkan region.
Anne Lugon-Moulin joined the FDFA in 2003. After completing her Master’s degree in Economic Development at the University of Nottingham, she was first employed by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, then by Transparency International Switzerland and later worked with the UN World Food Programme in Rwanda during 2,5 years.
She speaks fluent French, German and English. She has written several articles on anti-corruption and asset recovery. She also has published two fiction books.

Dr. Dragana Mitić Potkrajac is a biotech professional with more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of science and business. With a PhD in Biological Sciences, she began her career as a researcher driven by scientific curiosity, later discovering her passion for translating innovation into real-world impact. She is the Founder of Bio-Cure, a consultancy dedicated to bridging science and business within the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Bio-Cure provides strategic support in market and competitor analysis, commercial due diligence, and business development – helping clients turn scientific discoveries into sustainable opportunities for new medicines. Dr. Potkrajac worked as Business and Science Analyst at PharmEnable Therapeutics, a Cambridge-based AI-driven drug discovery company developing innovative small molecules with biologic-like specificity. At PharmEnable, she contributes to building partnerships and advancing the company’s oncology and neurology pipeline. Her previous experience includes roles such as Business Development Manager at PharmEnable, Senior Application Scientist at Metisox Ltd and Cambridge Cell Networks, and Postdoctoral Researcher at University College Dublin. What continuously drives her work is a deep commitment to improving patient lives – connecting groundbreaking science with meaningful therapeutic outcomes.

Elizabeth Adamson is the Director of Policy and Partnerships at the Novartis Foundation in Switzerland. She combines global health and policy expertise with a business mindset to translate unmet health needs into actionable insights. Adamson leads initiatives focused on data-driven population health, including the establishment of a Regional Hub for the Foundation’s CARDIO4Cities program in the Middle East and Africa, where she drives coalition building, program implementation, and innovative financing models. She also develops and implements health policy and partnership strategies that foster an enabling environment for population health innovations worldwide. Guided by integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to equity, she is dedicated to improving global health systems through sustainable, data-driven, and inclusive solutions.

Dr. Shai Melcer is the Head of Israel’s National Bio-Convergence Program at the Israel Innovation Authority, where he works with multiple government partners to position the field as a key economic driver by advancing multi-disciplinary R&D, fostering specialized human capital and infrastructure, and shaping forward-looking regulatory policy.
Shai is a member of C4IR Israel and participates in the World Economic Forum’s Bioeconomy Community, where he contributes his expertise in bioconvergence and shares Israel’s experience to advance global dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
He is also an Associate Lecturer in Biotechnology at the Hebrew University, and previously served as Co-founder of the GRAM Bio-Foundry, Chief Business Officer at Minovia Therapeutics, CEO of BIOHOUSE, Executive Director of BioJerusalem (JDA), and Co-founder of BioGiv. Shai holds both a PhD and an LLM from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Dr. Celia Antonio Schell has over 14 years of experience in clinical research, working with leading organizations such as Novartis and ICON. She recently served as the global lead for a Phase III clinical trial involving more than 7,000 cardiovascular patients across 43 countries, overseeing all aspects of study design, execution, and data integrity. Throughout her career, Celia has developed extensive expertise in managing large-scale, multinational clinical trials, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and delivering high-quality results. She is recognized for her ability to coordinate complex teams across diverse regions, drive innovation in clinical operations, and contribute to advancements in cardiovascular medicine and patient care.

Nenad Paunović is the advisor in the Office of the President of the National Assembly and the former Director of the IT and Entrepreneurship team in the Office of the Prime Minister of Serbia, where he was responsible for growing the digital and biotech economy in the country. He is a co-creator of the BIO4 Campus in Serbia, which is being developed as a new European bioeconomy hub. Nenad is a co-founder of the Belgrade Venture Forum, the largest innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship forum in the region, and has 20 years of experience as a growth strategy consultant. He has an Executive MBA from Cotrugli Business School and a degree in organizational sciences from Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade.

Dr. Milenko Cicmil is the Co-founder, CEO, and Board Member of Tasca Therapeutics Corp., one of the Cure Ventures portfolio companies. He is a biotechnology executive with over 20 years of experience in drug discovery and development, leading multidisciplinary scientific teams, shaping portfolio strategies, and driving business development. His expertise spans small molecules, biologics, and peptides, with a focus on inflammation, autoimmunity, and oncology. He has held senior leadership roles at Ipsen, Fog Pharma, Merck & Co., AstraZeneca, and GE Healthcare, contributing to the development of Brilinta, Symbicort, and Keytruda. Dr. Cicmil is a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Reading, UK, where he earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology. He holds a BSc in Molecular Biology from King’s College London and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cancer Research UK.

Praveen Tipirneni, MD was President and CEO of Morphic Therapeutic Inc. in which he led from founding to its acquisition by Eli Lilly for $3.2 billion. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Global Strategy at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, a position in which he served from 2006 until the company’s acquisition by Merck in 2015 for approximately $9 billion. He previously served in the clinical group working on the Cubicin NDA (skin and skin structure infections) and sNDA (Staph. Bacteremia and Endocarditis) teams since 2002. Cubicin hit peak sales of $1.2 billion. Prior to joining Cubist, Dr. Tipirneni worked at Sun Microsystems in corporate strategy, Covad Communications in Corporate Strategy, and Deltagen in business development. He also served time as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Dr. Tipirneni received a bachelor’s degree from MIT in mechanical engineering and an M.D. from McGill University. After completing his post-graduate residency in Internal Medicine at University of Illinois, Chicago, he received his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in healthcare finance.

Dr. Tanja Vukićević is Vice President of Business Development at Proteros Biostructures GmbH, with more than a decade of experience in CDMO services and early drug discovery across small molecules, biologics, and advanced therapies. A pharmacist by training, she earned her PhD in Molecular Biology from the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin. Alongside her role at Proteros, she co-founded DataCatalysis, an AI and software consultancy focused on biologics, combining her scientific expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Dr. Nima Khadem Mohtaram is leading MedTech innovation in Canada as Head of ventureLAB’s MedTech Initiative, where he drives the commercialization of medical devices by connecting research, industry, and policy. He earned his PhD in biomaterials from the University of Victoria and continued his research at the University of British Columbia and the University of Wisconsin–Madison before joining the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering. Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, he founded CellFace, focused on 3D-printed cell culture technology, and co-founded Trillium Meditec, developing Class III polymer hydrogel medical devices for knee pain. At ventureLAB, Nima is building Canada’s first comprehensive MedTech innovation hub, fostering collaboration across sectors to bring medical technologies from concept to market. Beyond his professional work, he serves as Chairman of the Board at the Aurora Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the Philanthropy Cabinet at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Dr. Ivan Tanasijević is an accomplished professional with a strong background in applied mathematics and theoretical physics. He obtained his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge, UK, where his research interests spanned various areas, including biophysics, fluid mechanics, motile microorganisms, artificial microswimmers, collective motion, and synchronization. Prior to his Ph.D., Ivan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Mathematics (MMath) degree. With a strong academic foundation and a Ph.D. from one of the world’s leading institutions, Ivan continued his academic career as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia, focusing on the AI-assisted small molecule design. Currently, Ivan works as a Machine Learning Scientist in Prescient Design, where he develops novel machine learning methods related to large molecule drug design and applies existing in-house tools and models to ongoing drug discovery efforts.

Dr. Vladimir Gligorijević is the senior director of AI-ML at Prescient Design, within Genentech R&D (gRED). He earned a master’s degree in theoretical physics from the University of Belgrade. He then studied computer science and bioinformatics, with a focus on data integration via machine learning, with applications to protein and genome annotation, completing his Ph.D. at Imperial College London. Afterwards, he joined the Flatiron Institute, where he stayed for almost four years. Gligorijevic’s work on protein structure-function prediction served as motivation and foundation for several approaches to macromolecular design. Gligorijevic co-founded Prescient Design and has co-led the integration of the company into the Roche family and Large Molecule Drug Discovery (LMDD) at gRED.

Srđan Mlađenović is a dynamic IT professional with two decades of experience in technical presales, business development, and software project implementation. He currently serves as Business Unit Executive for Data & AI at Comtrade System Integration, where he leads a team of over 50 engineers and oversees the successful delivery of complex Data & AI projects and services. Before assuming this position, he held several leadership roles within the Comtrade Group, including General Manager at Engineering Software Lab Serbia and Delivery Director at Comtrade System Integration, where he managed delivery operations, resources, and business development initiatives. Throughout his career, Siniša has built a strong track record in bridging technology and business strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring client success through data-driven solutions and efficient project execution.

Dr. Mine Orlu is a Professor of Pharmaceutics at UCL School of Pharmacy. She specializes in developing advanced drug delivery systems to improve therapies for vulnerable patient groups. Orlu leads interdisciplinary research on healthy aging and is a key figure in the CelebrAGE network. She chairs UCL’s Devices & Diagnostics Therapeutic Innovation Network, fostering collaboration in healthcare innovation. In 2020, she was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Scientist.