Speakers

Dr. Mihailo Jovanović is the Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. He has played a leading role in advancing Serbia’s digital transformation, overseeing the development of key eGovernment services and infrastructure, including the Government Data Centre in Kragujevac and multiple citizen-focused electronic services. Jovanović served as Serbia’s Minister of Information and Telecommunications from 2022 to 2024, during which time three major laws aligned with EU legislation were adopted. With a background in electrical engineering, economics, and computer science, he holds two doctoral degrees and has received numerous awards for his contributions to digitalization and public service reform.

Dr. J. Craig Venter is an American geneticist and biotechnologist, renowned for his pioneering role in sequencing the human genome. He founded The Institute for Genomic Research (1992), where his team sequenced the first free-living organism’s genome, and later led Celera Genomics in the race to decode the human genome. In 2006, he established the J. Craig Venter Institute, advancing genomics, synthetic biology, and human longevity research. Venter is also a co-founder of several biotechnology companies, including Synthetic Genomics and Human Longevity, Inc., driving innovation at the intersection of biology and technology.

Dr. Robert Huber is a German biochemist and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (1988), recognized for his pioneering work using X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure of the photosynthetic reaction centre in bacteria. He has served as Director of the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry (beginning in 1971) and as Professor of Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich (from 1976). A globally respected leader in structural biology, Huber has elucidated the atomic structures of numerous proteins, including proteases, hormones, immune system proteins, and enzymes, and developed methodological advances commonplace in modern X-ray crystallographic analysis. He co-founded the biotech companies Proteros (1997), supporting drug discovery through protein structure research, and Suppremol (2005), focused on therapies for autoimmune diseases. Since 2005 he has held the title of Director Emeritus at the Max Planck Institute and continues to contribute to research and scientific advisory boards worldwide.

Dr. Eva-Maria Hempe is a strategist and technology executive currently leading NVIDIA’s Healthcare & Life Sciences business across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). With over 15 years of experience spanning healthcare, strategy, and go-to-market roles, she has worked in the NHS, led a healthy-living project at the World Economic Forum, served on the board of a care software company, and been Associate Partner at Bain & Company, followed by senior sales leadership and Chief of Staff roles at VMware. She holds a PhD in Engineering Design from the University of Cambridge and a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Regensburg. A recognized thought leader in the intersection of healthcare, AI and strategy, she is also a speaker, board member, author, and investor.

Dr. Joanne M. Hackett is Vice President and Head of Health System Services at IQVIA and former Chief Commercial Officer at Genomics England. A clinical academic, entrepreneur, and investor, she has extensive global experience driving innovation in personalized medicine across startups and Fortune 500 companies. Recognized as a leading voice in healthcare, Joanne is passionate about prevention, open science, and citizen genomics. She has been honored with numerous awards, including Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Rising Star and Accenture Life Science Leader of the Year.

Nenad Grmuša is the Chief Executive Officer of DEM BioPharma, joining the company in September 2022. He previously led R&D Strategy and External Innovation at Takeda, overseeing strategic venture investments, academic alliances, and R&D collaborations. Prior to Takeda, Grmuša spent a decade at Millennium Pharmaceuticals in financial planning and strategic pipeline investment roles. He also has consulting experience with Boston Biomedical Consultants. Grmuša holds an MA in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University and a BS in Finance from West Virginia University.

Ognjen Milićević is an Assistant at the Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, specializing in the application of statistics, machine learning, and bioinformatics in public health and genomics. In parallel, he serves as Machine Learning Tech Lead at HTEC, where he leads the development of advanced solutions in genomics and life sciences. Previously, he worked as a bioinformatics scientist and data scientist at GenieUs Genomics, Pacific Analytics, Formdwell Robotics, and Seven Bridges Genomics. Ognjen earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade and holds an engineering degree in Signals and Systems from the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade.

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.

Dr. Evelyne Bischof, MD, PhD, MPH, is a Swiss specialist in internal medicine and oncology and a global leader in longevity medicine. She is President of the Healthy Longevity Medicine Society and serves on the Visionary Board of the Longevity Science Foundation. Dr. Bischof is Chief Physician Associate at University Hospital Renji in Shanghai and holds academic appointments at Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Tel Aviv University. Formerly a senior physician at University Hospital Basel, she trained at leading institutions across Europe, the U.S., and China. Her research spans oncology, precision and digital medicine, aging, and multimorbidity, and she has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr. Dean Ho is a Provost’s Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He serves as Director of both The N.1 Institute for Health and The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM). An internationally recognized leader in digital health and precision medicine, Prof. Ho developed CURATE.AI, an artificial intelligence platform that personalizes drug combination therapies. His research spans nanomedicine, digital therapeutics, and clinical trial optimization. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications and holds multiple patents. Prof. Ho is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), among other honors. He has been featured in media outlets such as The Economist, Forbes, CNN, and National Geographic.

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.

Dr. Dan Vahdat is the founder and CEO of Huma, a healthcare AI company valued at over $1 billion, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of digital solutions in healthcare and research. Huma’s technology has powered more than 1,000 clinical trials and is used in 4,500 hospitals and clinics across the US and beyond. Its platform has screened, triaged, and engaged over 50 million individuals, with millions of active users across its products in more than 70 countries. In 2023, Dan was selected as HealthTech Leader of the Year, and Huma has received the prestigious Prix Galien award twice. Dan is also a member of the World Economic Forum.

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.

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.

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. Qing Zhang is a Partner at LDV Partners, investing in biotech, digital health, and life-science tools. A physician-scientist by training, she has contributed to more than 30 financings, multiple IPOs, and the creation of venture-backed companies. Dr. Zhang previously practiced medicine in Singapore and China, co-founded a home-nursing startup, and holds an M.D. from Tsinghua University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

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. Maria Kristiansen is Professor of Participatory Health Services Research at the University of Copenhagen. She leads interdisciplinary research on person-centered healthcare with a strong focus on equity, cross-sectoral partnerships, and patient and public involvement. She is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and Research Collaborator at the Mayo Clinic, USA. Dr. Kristiansen has extensive leadership experience in research and innovation, and serves as evaluator and advisor for national and international funding bodies and interdisciplinary programs. She is recognized for building strategic partnerships across academia, policy, industry, and civil society, and is deeply committed to supporting early-career researchers and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has authored 130+ peer-reviewed publications and contributes actively to science communication and public engagement.

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.