Speakers

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.

Gianluca Misuraca is founder and Vice President on Technology Diplomacy of Inspiring Futures (IF), a global consultancy network with headquarters in Lausanne and Seville, which provides strategic advisory services to several International Organizations and public and private institutions worldwide. Among his key assignments he coordinates, on behalf of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the “Digital Partnerships in Action” (DPA) facility to support implementing the Digital Partnership Agreement between the EU, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Until December 2023 he has been leading the “International Outreach for human-centric Artificial Intelligence” initiative to promote the EU approach to trustworthy AI at the global level. As part of his academic roles, Gianluca is the Executive Director of the Master on Artificial Intelligence in public services (AI4GOV) led by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Politecnico di Milano. From 2009 to 2020 Gianluca was Senior Scientist at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, leading future-oriented research in Digital Governance, Social Innovation and Artificial Intelligence.

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. 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.

Prof. Dr. Đuro Macut is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, where he completed specialisations in internal medicine, endocrinology, and reproductive medicine, as well as a doctoral degree. He is a full professor at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine and a visiting professor at the Athens University School of Medicine and the University of Skopje. His research focuses on metabolic and reproductive endocrinology, and he has authored over 140 scientific papers while editing international monographs in his field. Prof. Dr. Macut leads the Department of Endocrine Tumours and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes at the University Clinical Centre of Serbia and has organised major international symposia and postgraduate programmes, including the Belgrade Masterclass in Clinical Endocrinology. He has held leadership roles in the European Society of Endocrinology and has been recognised with the Order of Karađorđe’s Star, Second Degree.

As Head of Digital Inclusion at the World Economic Forum, Kelly combines her expertise in technology, policy, and partnerships with her commitment to social equity to drive meaningful change. Through flagship initiatives which she is leading, such as the EDISON Alliance and the Forum’s portfolio on GovTech, she champions public-private partnerships to help bridge the digital divide and enable meaningful digital transformation. Prior to this position, Kelly served as the Chief of Staff to the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum for over 5 years, as well as managed the Forum’s Board of Trustees, its top governance body, and served as the official secretary. Kelly was responsible for creating and leading the Global Collaboration Village, the Forum’s presence in the metaverse, as well as building a vibrant community of 100+ Village Partners. She has previously led the government and regional partnerships for the Forum’s work on technology, as well as being responsible for the relationship with the US Government in the Forum’s New York office. Kelly has a diverse background in the public sector and civil society. She also holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

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. Tom Fitzgerald is a Senior Staff Scientist at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), where he leads research on large-scale data analytics and AI-driven approaches in biology. With extensive experience in genome analysis, genome-wide association studies, and the development of advanced analytical pipelines, he specializes in applying cutting-edge AI methods to human health data. His work spans generative AI, natural language processing of electronic health records, imaging, biological assays, and genomics. Before joining EMBL-EBI, he worked as a Senior Bioinformatician at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and as a Molecular Biologist at LGC. Fitzgerald holds a PhD in Bioinformatics from Cranfield University, alongside degrees in Molecular Biology and Applied Bioinformatics.

Dr. Slaven Steković is an internationally recognized longevity scientist, entrepreneur, and innovator in life sciences, artificial intelligence, and robotics. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biosciences from the University of Graz and has completed postdoctoral research focused on aging. He has also lectured at the University of Cambridge. He is currently CEO of Aeterna Omics Health in Vienna, a company offering premium longevity testing and personalized interventions using state-of-the-art testing technology and AI-supported data processing to optimize individual health and longevity. Dr. Steković has held leadership roles at other data-intensive startups in cancer genomics and AI-enabled robotics. He is a published author, including the bestseller Der Jungzelleneffekt, and has written several books on healthy aging and preventive healthcare. Recognized for his pioneering work, he was named Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2017. Between his professional stations in Cambridge, London, Vienna, and Silicon Valley, he has developed cutting-edge technologies and is considered a leading figure in modern health prevention.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Dr Marija Gnjatović is the State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. She has extensive experience in biotechnology, immunology, and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic solutions, including work on the development of ELISA tests during the COVID-19 pandemic and pioneering contributions to the development of recombinant monoclonal antibodies in Serbia. Prior to her public office, she was the Director of INEP, where she led institutional transformation and advanced the transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to industry and the healthcare system. She is the founder of the startup Immunora d.o.o., a recipient of the National Award for the Best Technological Innovation, and the author of several commercialized patents. She earned her PhD at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, and is an active member of several professional associations.

Prof. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Haoliang Xu currently serves as Acting Administrator and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He was appointed UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator by the United Nations Secretary-General in June 2023. With nearly three decades of experience in international development, Mr. Xu has held numerous senior leadership roles within the UN system. Before assuming his current position, he served as UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (2019–2023), and earlier as UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific (2013–2019). Throughout his UN career, Mr. Xu has worked across multiple regions, including Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. His previous assignments include Deputy Regional Director for Europe and CIS (2010–2013), UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan (2007–2010), Country Director in Pakistan (2005–2007), and several senior field leadership roles in Timor-Leste and Iran. Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Xu worked as a computer-aided design engineer at Louis Berger International Inc. in New Jersey, USA, and as an assistant lecturer at Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Mr. Xu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Tongji University (China), a Master of Science in Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology (USA), and a Master of International Affairs in Economic Development and Policy Analysis from Columbia University (USA).

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.