Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanović is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Swiss Rockets AG and Founder, Vice-Chairman, and CEO of Rocketvax AG, both based in Basel, Switzerland. Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanović is a renowned serial biotech entrepreneur, cancer scientist, and medicinal chemist with over 15 years of experience in oncology drug development. In 2011, he founded PIQUR Therapeutics and developed it into an international biotech company. In 2014, he won the Northwest Switzerland Young Entrepreneur Award, and in 2015, the Swiss Economic Forum Award. In 2016, he founded TargImmune Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on cancer cell-targeted immunotherapies. In 2018, he founded Swiss Rockets, and in 2020, RocketVax AG. In 2021, he founded Torqur AG and was awarded the Nikola Tesla Award from the Government of the Republic of Serbia for his outstanding scientific and entrepreneurial contributions, and in 2023, he received the Tesla Spirit Award from the US Tesla Science Foundation.

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.

Dr. Nima Khadem Mohtaram is the Co-founder and CEO of Trillium Meditec Inc. a company developing and commercializing innovative hydrogels to treat Osteoarthritis. He initiates, identifies, and coordinates the analysis of complex client needs in project areas such as: new/existing business operating models, innovative approaches to solutions support, market research of emerging or available product functionality and operational readiness assessment. Supporting entrepreneurship in the region is paramount to Nima as it helps create jobs, accelerate the local economy, and define new markets. He is a seasoned leader who has served as the President of the Canadian Biomaterials Society and is a former professor of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Nima is a serial entrepreneur and has over 18 years of experience in developing and leading numerous projects in life sciences, advanced materials, and medical devices. He is a board member at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce where he supports local businesses, manufacturing and help people by connecting them to his extensive industrial network as a volunteer.

Dr. Branislava 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. Inspired by personal experience, the desire to help his wife who has multiple sclerosis, 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.

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, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Mathematics (MMath).

With a strong academic foundation and a Ph.D. from one of the world’s leading institutions, Ivan now works as a Postdoc at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia (IVI), focusing on the “AI assisted small molecule design” project. He has previously conducted research as a Research Intern at the School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge.

Ivan Tanasijević brings a wealth of knowledge and research expertise to his role as the Head of the Belgrade office, contributing to the institute’s mission and expanding its presence in the field of artificial intelligence. The focus of his research lies in the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare and natural sciences. Additionally, his work extends to the field of drug development, where AI technologies are leveraged to accelerate the discovery and optimization of new therapeutic compounds. By integrating advanced machine learning models and biological data, his research aims to streamline drug discovery processes, enhance precision medicine, and improve patient outcomes. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, his efforts contribute to bridging the gap between AI innovation and practical applications in pharmaceutical research and healthcare systems.