The organization is managed as a global network with representatives in US, Sweden and Russia. The corporate headquarter is in San Diego, California.
Caridad Rosette
Director
With formal training in Biophysics, Pharmacology and Immunology, Dr. Rosette has in depth mechanistic understanding of drug action on cell signaling networks, particularly those involved in the regulation of immune responses. Dr. Rosette is currently leading drug development for inflammatory diseases and cancer immunotherapy/diagnostics at Cosmo Bioscience. She has been involved in a phase II clinical trial for melanoma, where she managed the in-house manufacturing of an autologous vaccine candidate and directed the analysis of clinical and immune responses of subjects in the study. Previously a scientist at Sequenom and principal investigator at the Novartis Genomics Institute, both for drug discovery, Dr. Rosette has broad experience in therapeutics for metabolic diseases, oncology, and gastroenterology.
Misha Denissenko
Director & Treasurer
Releef’s Treasurer has vast experience as a senior manager in drug discovery and diagnostics. At BD Biosciences, he led a R&D group involved in the development and production of commercial bioreagents. At Sequenom he was part of the drug discovery management team. Currently serving in a leadership position at Life Technologies, Dr. Denissenko has a unique combination of technology and marketing know-how. In several organizations, Dr. Denissenko has driven Product Lifecycle Management beyond being a mere toolset and implemented it as a key business approach, facilitating innovation and driving product development.Dr. Denissenko is the author of over 40 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters on cancer.
Marcia de Souza Lima, M.D., Ph.D.
Board Observer & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. de Souza Lima has developed a successful career as a global pharmaceutical executive in clinical development and medical affairs, at Novartis, Pfizer and Bausch & Lomb, after almost ten years as a practicing physician and surgeon in Brazil. At Bausch & Lomb, she led a global team of more than a 100 members in the planning and execution of an extensive portfolio of clinical studies. She managed organizational changes and instituted several initiatives to improve operational efficiency and compliance. Dr. de Souza Lima prides herself in her various roles in bridging relationships and furthering understanding across seemingly diverse worlds. She is particularly interested in managing partnerships and cross-functional collaborations.
Jonas Ekblom
Director & Officer
Dr. Ekblom brings more than twenty years of Life Science experience. He currently serves as the CEO of Pergamum AB, a Swedish pharmaceutical group that is developing health care products in wound care. He has held senior management positions in Pharmacia, Sequenom and Invitrogen and has been the founder of several biotech start-ups. Most recently, between 2008-2011, he was CEO at BOWS Pharmaceuticals AG in Switzerland. Dr. Ekblom has experience of portfolio management in several therapeutic areas. He has published more than 60 articles in pharmacology and pharmacogenetics. Dr. Ekblom has served/serves on several boards, including Orin Pharma, Edge of the World Strategies Corp and KLIFO A/S.
Håkan Garpenstrand
Director & Officer, Swedish Subsidiary
Dr. Garpenstrand has more than twenty years of experience in clinical practice, academia and pharmaceutical industry. He has held several R&D and business management positions, most recently at Wyeth and Pfizer, and has vast experience from managing scientific as well as commercial operations within several specialty product areas. Currently, Dr. Garpenstrand serves as Director of Business Development at Swedish Orphan Biovitrum in Stockholm, Sweden. In this role he supports global partnering, in-licensing and M&A in multiple therapeutic areas.