Ofir is an accomplished biotech entrepreneur with 15 years of experience establishing, managing, and investing in early to late stage life science companies. He was the co-head of research at a major healthcare fund focusing on deep scientific analysis of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Prior to joining the hedge fund industry, Ofir was the founder and CEO at Bioassociate Ltd., an expertise-based consulting, research, and analysis company focused on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life science sectors. Until 2011, Ofir was the CEO of Radmor Biocap LLC, a company that invested in and managed pharmaceutical development, clinical diagnostics and medical devices for seed and early stage companies. Led by Dr. Levi Radmor, signed several license agreements with leading universities around the world for novel technologies, and established companies developing these technologies. Ofir completed his Ph.D. studies in Professor Daniel Michaelson’s neurobiology lab at Tel-Aviv University. During the four years of his Ph.D. studies, he led a research group in both in-house research and several international collaborations. Dr. Levi’s Ph.D. thesis focused on neurogenesis processes in Alzheimer's Disease.
Joseph is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. He brings with him an exceptional track record of ushering novel therapeutics to the clinic, including targeted RNA medicines utilizing lipid-mediated delivery technologies. Joseph’s background includes over 20 years of successful drug discovery experience at Merck Research Labs, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kalypsys, and Nitto as evidenced by over 40 publications and patents, and several investigational new drug (IND) clinical candidates. Joseph earned a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University, a Master of Science in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Calgary and Executive Training Certification from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Marella has more than 30 years of accomplishments in finance and operations having successfully led multiple M&A, licensing, and fundraising transactions. She recently joined Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited, a next-generation biopharmaceutical company, formed by Medicxi through the merger of 10 private biotech companies and completion of a $250M Series A, as Head of Finance. Prior to that, Ms. Thorell served as Chief Financial Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a privately owned, VC-backed (Medicxi, Samsara BioCapital, Roche Venture Fund), clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing medicines for orphan diseases of the kidney, leading the Company’s capital strategy and execution. Prior to joining Palladio Biosciences, Ms. Thorell served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Realm Therapeutics (Nasdaq: RLM). At Realm, Ms. Thorell was responsible for raising capital to fund the Company’s clinical development plans and led M&A and licensing transactions. In 2019 Realm was acquired by ESSA Pharma (Nasdaq: EPIX). Ms. Thorell was appointed to ESSA’s Board of Directors. Ms. Thorell began her career and earned her CPA at Ernst & Young, LLP. Subsequently, she worked for Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) in finance and operational roles of increasing responsibility and thereafter served as an executive consultant focusing on financial and human capital projects. Ms. Thorell earned a BS in Business from Lehigh University, magna cum laude.
Richard is the Managing Owner and Chief Executive Officer of MEDICE Arzneimittel Pütter GmbH & Co. KG (Medice), a family-owned pharmaceutical company based in Iserlohn, Germany. Medice is the #1 ranked pharmaceutical company in sales of prescription ADHD medications across Europe. Richard has served as Medice’s general manager since 2003, responsible for research & development, medical & regulatory affairs, manufacturing, market access and international marketing & distribution. Richard graduated with a degree in medicine from Technical University, Munich and an internship at Harvard Medical School, Boston. His basic and clinical research on atrial fibrillation for which he obtained his PhD was awarded by the European Society in Cardiology with the Young Investigator Award in Basic Science in 2001. Specializing in cardiac and renal care, Richard pursued his clinical education in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (1996-2000), the German Heart Center (2000-2001) and the University Hospital in Muenster (2001). Richard also pursued studies in business administration and economics at University St. Gallen (1992-1996) and Harvard Extension School (1996 -1999), completing his Ph.D. in 2005. Since 2001, Richard has served as an assistant professor at University St. Gallen (Switzerland). Since 2006, Richard has served as a board member and Vice President of the German Pharmaceutical Association with a focus on R&D.
David is a co-founder of Vallon and has over 25 years of executive, operational and commercial leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has been directly involved with the commercialization of five medications with annual sales in excess of $1 billion each, including Adderall XR® and Vyvanse®, the two most successful ADHD brands based on annual revenue. Previously, David was the Chief Commercial Officer and interim CEO of Alcobra Ltd., a CNS specialty pharmaceutical company that completed a reverse merger with Arcturus Therapeutics in late 2017. Prior to Alcobra, he worked at Shire Plc for 10 years as Vice President of Commercial Strategy and New Business in the Neuroscience Business Unit, Global General Manager for Vyvanse® and Vice President, ADHD Marketing. Prior to Shire, he worked at Merck & Co. in marketing, sales, market research, and business development. Mr. Baker's therapeutic expertise includes ADHD, autism, osteoporosis, migraine, and hyperlipidemia. Mr. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science from Duke University, and an MBA in Marketing, from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
