News
26 September 2025
RNA symposium speakers spotlight - Panel discussions
Time to introduce the panel discussions at our RNA symposium!
Panel: “The Future of Personalized Therapies in Cancer”
Moderated by Neil Kubica ,Therapeutics Division Lead at General Inception, joined by:
- Paolo Ascierto, Oncologist at National Cancer Institute IRCCS Fondazione Pascale
- Carlos Palma, CEO of B4-RNA
- Juan Pablo Tosar, Founder & CSO of B4-RNA
- Kfir Oved, CEO of Canopy Therapeutics
Neil Kubica
Neil is a biopharma executive, co-founder, and board member with deep experience in organizational leadership and company building. He started his career at the Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research (Cambridge, MA), where he established and co-led the effort to target RNA biology with small molecules. Neil then served as the Director of RNA Biology at Arrakis Therapeutics, where he led the platform-building efforts that were the cornerstone of the company's Series B financing and pharma partnerships with Roche and Amgen. Neil was VP, Head of Platform Development at Alltrna, where he co-invented a novel oligonucleotide modality based on engineered tRNAs as a universal medicine for premature termination codon mutations across thousands of human diseases. His company-building efforts resulted in a Series A financing from Flagship Pioneering and set the stage for a Series B raise to advance the organization's first drug candidates to the clinic. Neil served as CSO at Ananke Therapeutics and subsequently co-founded Verto Therapeutics to discover and develop selective mRNA translation modulators for genetically validated targets that are traditionally difficult to drug using conventional approaches. He is currently the Therapeutics Division Lead at General Inception, a deep tech venture studio that serves as a co-founder partner to transform scientific innovations into venture-backed companies. Neil earned a B.S. in Biology from James Madison University and a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Physiology from Penn State University. He was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School.
Neil is a biopharma executive, co-founder, and board member with deep experience in organizational leadership and company building. He started his career at the Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research (Cambridge, MA), where he established and co-led the effort to target RNA biology with small molecules. Neil then served as the Director of RNA Biology at Arrakis Therapeutics, where he led the platform-building efforts that were the cornerstone of the company's Series B financing and pharma partnerships with Roche and Amgen. Neil was VP, Head of Platform Development at Alltrna, where he co-invented a novel oligonucleotide modality based on engineered tRNAs as a universal medicine for premature termination codon mutations across thousands of human diseases. His company-building efforts resulted in a Series A financing from Flagship Pioneering and set the stage for a Series B raise to advance the organization's first drug candidates to the clinic. Neil served as CSO at Ananke Therapeutics and subsequently co-founded Verto Therapeutics to discover and develop selective mRNA translation modulators for genetically validated targets that are traditionally difficult to drug using conventional approaches. He is currently the Therapeutics Division Lead at General Inception, a deep tech venture studio that serves as a co-founder partner to transform scientific innovations into venture-backed companies. Neil earned a B.S. in Biology from James Madison University and a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Physiology from Penn State University. He was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School.
Paolo Ascierto
Ranked first in the University of North Carolina's Expertscape ranking as the world's leading melanoma expert for the decade 2013-2023, Prof. Paolo Antonio Ascierto is the director of the Department of Skin Tumours, Experimental Oncological Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapies, as well as director of the Experimental Oncology Melanoma, Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapies Unit at the IRCCS National Cancer Institute “G. Pascale” Foundation in Naples.
Ranked first in the University of North Carolina's Expertscape ranking as the world's leading melanoma expert for the decade 2013-2023, Prof. Paolo Antonio Ascierto is the director of the Department of Skin Tumours, Experimental Oncological Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapies, as well as director of the Experimental Oncology Melanoma, Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapies Unit at the IRCCS National Cancer Institute “G. Pascale” Foundation in Naples.
Carlos Palma
Carlos Palma is the Chief Executive Officer of B4-RNA, a biotechnology company developing novel RNA repair and sequencing technologies for early cancer detection. He leads the company’s strategy, fundraising, and international expansion, with the mission of making minimally invasive cancer screening accessible worldwide. Carlos holds an MBA from the University of Oxford and has over 15 years of experience in product management, technology, and entrepreneurship, including leadership roles in global fintech and digital transformation.
Carlos Palma is the Chief Executive Officer of B4-RNA, a biotechnology company developing novel RNA repair and sequencing technologies for early cancer detection. He leads the company’s strategy, fundraising, and international expansion, with the mission of making minimally invasive cancer screening accessible worldwide. Carlos holds an MBA from the University of Oxford and has over 15 years of experience in product management, technology, and entrepreneurship, including leadership roles in global fintech and digital transformation.
Juan Pablo Tosar
Juan Pablo Tosar is a molecular biologist specializing in noncoding RNAs and extracellular RNA biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology from Universidad de la República (UDELAR, Uruguay) and completed postdoctoral training in RNA biology. Tosar leads the Functional Genomics Laboratory at the Pasteur Institute in Montevideo and the Analytical Biochemistry Unit at UDELAR, where his group investigates the roles and mechanisms of small noncoding RNAs—particularly tRNA-derived fragments—in physiology and disease. His research has contributed to uncovering how extracellular RNAs circulate in biofluids, challenging traditional models of RNA stability and transport. Some important contributions include the discovery of extracellular ribosomes (Tosar et al., NAR 2020) and nicked tRNAs (Costa et al., PNAS 2023), and a recent report on the uptake and immune properties of naked extracellular RNAs (Castellano et al., Cell Genomics 2025). Since 2024, he is also the founder and chief scientist of Before RNA Diagnostics (B4-RNA), an Uruguayan-based startup exploiting nicked tRNAs and other stable extracellular nonvesicular RNAs as biomarkers for early cancer detection.
Juan Pablo Tosar is a molecular biologist specializing in noncoding RNAs and extracellular RNA biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology from Universidad de la República (UDELAR, Uruguay) and completed postdoctoral training in RNA biology. Tosar leads the Functional Genomics Laboratory at the Pasteur Institute in Montevideo and the Analytical Biochemistry Unit at UDELAR, where his group investigates the roles and mechanisms of small noncoding RNAs—particularly tRNA-derived fragments—in physiology and disease. His research has contributed to uncovering how extracellular RNAs circulate in biofluids, challenging traditional models of RNA stability and transport. Some important contributions include the discovery of extracellular ribosomes (Tosar et al., NAR 2020) and nicked tRNAs (Costa et al., PNAS 2023), and a recent report on the uptake and immune properties of naked extracellular RNAs (Castellano et al., Cell Genomics 2025). Since 2024, he is also the founder and chief scientist of Before RNA Diagnostics (B4-RNA), an Uruguayan-based startup exploiting nicked tRNAs and other stable extracellular nonvesicular RNAs as biomarkers for early cancer detection.
Kfir Oved
Kfir is a serial bioentrepreneur with >20 years of combined industry and academic experience, leading interdisciplinary teams combining Biotechnology, Applied Immunology, Engineering, and Big Data in various medical applications including Therapeutics, Dx, Medical devices, and Digital Health. He co-founded MeMed Dx, served as its Chairman and CTO for over a decade, and led the inception, development, clinical validation, regulation, and manufacturing of the entire MeMed technology suite, including the MeMed BV™ technology, and the MeMed Key™ POC platform, from an idea on a napkin to development completion. He has a dual background in Medicine and Immunology, (Summa Cum Laude), co-authored over 100 granted and pending patents, authored >35 peer-reviewed publications, and received multiple research excellence awards, including the Gutwirth Excellence Award and Wolf Award for research students, and listed as one of the top 25 voices in Precision Medicine (2019). He was among the inceptors of the AI-based health data company Navina.ai and served as its Chief Strategy Officer. In 2020, he founded Canopy Immuno-Therapeutics and serves as its CEO. Canopy is a pre-clinical biotech company engaged in the development of a novel, potentially curative immunotherapeutic approach for autoimmunity and life-threatening allergies.
Kfir is a serial bioentrepreneur with >20 years of combined industry and academic experience, leading interdisciplinary teams combining Biotechnology, Applied Immunology, Engineering, and Big Data in various medical applications including Therapeutics, Dx, Medical devices, and Digital Health. He co-founded MeMed Dx, served as its Chairman and CTO for over a decade, and led the inception, development, clinical validation, regulation, and manufacturing of the entire MeMed technology suite, including the MeMed BV™ technology, and the MeMed Key™ POC platform, from an idea on a napkin to development completion. He has a dual background in Medicine and Immunology, (Summa Cum Laude), co-authored over 100 granted and pending patents, authored >35 peer-reviewed publications, and received multiple research excellence awards, including the Gutwirth Excellence Award and Wolf Award for research students, and listed as one of the top 25 voices in Precision Medicine (2019). He was among the inceptors of the AI-based health data company Navina.ai and served as its Chief Strategy Officer. In 2020, he founded Canopy Immuno-Therapeutics and serves as its CEO. Canopy is a pre-clinical biotech company engaged in the development of a novel, potentially curative immunotherapeutic approach for autoimmunity and life-threatening allergies.
Panel: “Big Pharma & RNA Startups: Build, Buy or Co-create”
Moderated by Gabriella Viero, Principal Investigator at the Institute of Biophysics, with panelists:
- Akcan Istif, Head of Innovations & Lab, Scientific Venture Capital
- Letizia Goretti, CEO of Alia Therapeutics
- Neil Kubica, Therapeutics Division Lead at General Inception
- Elita Montanari, Co-founder & CTO of EVis Bioscience AG
- Joseph (Jody) Puglisi, Professor & PI at Stanford University
- Kfir Oved, CEO of Canopy Therapeutics
- Dalya Gartzman & Dor Arieli, Co-founders & CEOs of Renasis Bio
Gabriella Viero
GV is Research Director at the Institute of Biophysics, CNR Italy and Principal Investigator of a laboratory she established in 2011, focusing on translational control of gene expression and molecular mechanisms underlying neuromuscular disorders. The lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining biophysics, biochemistry, computational biology, and neuropathology. With her team she secured major grants from Italian, European and American funding agencies and foundations and published in high-impact journals. In 2013, GV was instrumental to the foundation of IMMAGINA Biotechnology and served as its scientific advisor until 2022. Since 2023, GV coordinate a joint governmental-private initiative called eRIs. These experiences nicely complement activities in Science & Diplomacy and contributes to multiple international activities in her capacity as member of the Membership committee of the International Science Council, elected councilor of the IUPAB and IUPAB delegate at the ISC.
GV is Research Director at the Institute of Biophysics, CNR Italy and Principal Investigator of a laboratory she established in 2011, focusing on translational control of gene expression and molecular mechanisms underlying neuromuscular disorders. The lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining biophysics, biochemistry, computational biology, and neuropathology. With her team she secured major grants from Italian, European and American funding agencies and foundations and published in high-impact journals. In 2013, GV was instrumental to the foundation of IMMAGINA Biotechnology and served as its scientific advisor until 2022. Since 2023, GV coordinate a joint governmental-private initiative called eRIs. These experiences nicely complement activities in Science & Diplomacy and contributes to multiple international activities in her capacity as member of the Membership committee of the International Science Council, elected councilor of the IUPAB and IUPAB delegate at the ISC.
Akcan Istif
Dr. Akcan Istif, Head of Innovation & Labs at Scientifica, holds an MPharm and a PhD in Nanotechnology. His expertise lies in the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, with experience spanning drug delivery systems and advanced therapeutics. His current interests focus on nanotechnology-driven solutions in therapeutics and diagnostics and on how innovative biotech startups can complement the strategies of large pharmaceutical organizations. As Head of Innovation & Labs, he operates at the intersection of private capital, academia and startup ecosystems: an environment that amplifies the impact of his work and reflects the prestige of leading innovation in such a unique setting.
Dr. Akcan Istif, Head of Innovation & Labs at Scientifica, holds an MPharm and a PhD in Nanotechnology. His expertise lies in the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, with experience spanning drug delivery systems and advanced therapeutics. His current interests focus on nanotechnology-driven solutions in therapeutics and diagnostics and on how innovative biotech startups can complement the strategies of large pharmaceutical organizations. As Head of Innovation & Labs, he operates at the intersection of private capital, academia and startup ecosystems: an environment that amplifies the impact of his work and reflects the prestige of leading innovation in such a unique setting.
Letizia Goretti
Letizia Goretti is the CEO of Alia Therapeutics, a Trento-based biotech startup committed to curing genetic diseases. Founded by Professor Anna Cereseto and her team at the University of Trento, Alia is advancing genome editing technologies that expand the range of treatable genetic targets and deliver unprecedented precision and safety essential for next-generation therapeutic applications. With over 25 years of international experience in the life sciences sector, Letizia Goretti brings a comprehensive background spanning strategy, operations, R&D, and commercial leadership. Prior to joining Alia Therapeutics, she served as Senior Director of Transactions and Alliances at the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre in London, where she led strategic collaborations with academia, startups, industry, government bodies, and non-profits. Her work focused on genomics-driven initiatives such as the UK Biobank Whole Genome Sequencing Consortium and Our Future Health, as well as the development of digital health capabilities. Earlier, at Johnson & Johnson in Belgium, Letizia played a pivotal role in launching the Hepatitis C and HIV portfolios and managed a mature brands portfolio valued at $1.2 billion. In 2025, she was appointed to the board of Italian Tech Alliance, further contributing to the growth of Italy’s innovation ecosystem.
Letizia Goretti is the CEO of Alia Therapeutics, a Trento-based biotech startup committed to curing genetic diseases. Founded by Professor Anna Cereseto and her team at the University of Trento, Alia is advancing genome editing technologies that expand the range of treatable genetic targets and deliver unprecedented precision and safety essential for next-generation therapeutic applications. With over 25 years of international experience in the life sciences sector, Letizia Goretti brings a comprehensive background spanning strategy, operations, R&D, and commercial leadership. Prior to joining Alia Therapeutics, she served as Senior Director of Transactions and Alliances at the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre in London, where she led strategic collaborations with academia, startups, industry, government bodies, and non-profits. Her work focused on genomics-driven initiatives such as the UK Biobank Whole Genome Sequencing Consortium and Our Future Health, as well as the development of digital health capabilities. Earlier, at Johnson & Johnson in Belgium, Letizia played a pivotal role in launching the Hepatitis C and HIV portfolios and managed a mature brands portfolio valued at $1.2 billion. In 2025, she was appointed to the board of Italian Tech Alliance, further contributing to the growth of Italy’s innovation ecosystem.
Elita Montanari
In 2012, Prof. Elita Montanari started her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). In 2014, she continued her Ph.D. program at the University of Manchester (United Kingdom), where, in 2016, she started her Post-Doc in drug delivery. In 2018, Prof. Montanari was awarded by the European Molecular Biology Organization for conducting a research project at the Bichat Hospital in Paris (France). In 2019, shestarted lecturing on Nanotechnology at Sapienza University. In 2020, she joined the Laboratory of Drug Formulation and Delivery as a Senior Researcher at ETH Zürich (Switzerland); meanwhile, she was lecturing students and Ph.D. students on Advanced Nanotechnology in Medicine. In June 2024, Prof. Montanari incorporated EVis Bioscience AG, an ETH Spin-off developing a next-generation carrier for gene and personalized medicine based in Zürich. In November 2024, she became a part-time Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Law and Technology at the Pharmacy Department of Roma Tre University. Prof. Montanari authored twenty-nine papers, is a co‐inventor in four patent applications, and has released interviews in several relevant Italian Journals, including La Repubblica. Together with the EVis Bioscience Team, she is investigating a novel platform technology for the targeted and safe delivery of nucleic acids for gene therapy.
In 2012, Prof. Elita Montanari started her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). In 2014, she continued her Ph.D. program at the University of Manchester (United Kingdom), where, in 2016, she started her Post-Doc in drug delivery. In 2018, Prof. Montanari was awarded by the European Molecular Biology Organization for conducting a research project at the Bichat Hospital in Paris (France). In 2019, shestarted lecturing on Nanotechnology at Sapienza University. In 2020, she joined the Laboratory of Drug Formulation and Delivery as a Senior Researcher at ETH Zürich (Switzerland); meanwhile, she was lecturing students and Ph.D. students on Advanced Nanotechnology in Medicine. In June 2024, Prof. Montanari incorporated EVis Bioscience AG, an ETH Spin-off developing a next-generation carrier for gene and personalized medicine based in Zürich. In November 2024, she became a part-time Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Law and Technology at the Pharmacy Department of Roma Tre University. Prof. Montanari authored twenty-nine papers, is a co‐inventor in four patent applications, and has released interviews in several relevant Italian Journals, including La Repubblica. Together with the EVis Bioscience Team, she is investigating a novel platform technology for the targeted and safe delivery of nucleic acids for gene therapy.
Joseph (Jody) Puglisi
Joseph (Jody) Puglisi is Jauch Professor and CZI Biohub Investigator in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His work focuses on the biophysical and structural analysis of RNAs and RNA-protein interactions and his group use broad biophysical and biochemical methods to understand the interplay of structure and dynamics in a variety of systems, in particular translation. Born and raised in scenic New Jersey, he received a B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1984 from The Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from UC Berkeley in 1989. After postdoctoral research in Strasbourg and MIT, he joined the faculty at UC Santa Cruz in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1993. He moved to Stanford University in 1997, where he was Chair of the Department of Structural Biology from 2004 to 2014. Jody has advised many companies around R&D including PTC Therapeutics, Pacific Biosciences, Element Biosciences, QSi, Sutro Biopharma, Beyond Meat and Upside Foods. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Joseph (Jody) Puglisi is Jauch Professor and CZI Biohub Investigator in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His work focuses on the biophysical and structural analysis of RNAs and RNA-protein interactions and his group use broad biophysical and biochemical methods to understand the interplay of structure and dynamics in a variety of systems, in particular translation. Born and raised in scenic New Jersey, he received a B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1984 from The Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from UC Berkeley in 1989. After postdoctoral research in Strasbourg and MIT, he joined the faculty at UC Santa Cruz in Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1993. He moved to Stanford University in 1997, where he was Chair of the Department of Structural Biology from 2004 to 2014. Jody has advised many companies around R&D including PTC Therapeutics, Pacific Biosciences, Element Biosciences, QSi, Sutro Biopharma, Beyond Meat and Upside Foods. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Dalya Gartzman
Mathematician and AI expert turned biotech entrepreneur. Her background spans AI-driven product development, from bioinformatics to deep learning and classical algorithms. She has built and led AI initiatives in early-stage startups, translating complex ideas into impactful products. Alongside her technical work, she has been deeply involved in mentoring and community leadership in tech, promoting both knowledge sharing and career growth. In recent years, she has become passionate about the tech-bio revolution, and she has come to believe that the most exciting thing she can do with her tech background is to advance biology! Hence came to life Renasis Bio, an AI-driven drug discovery platform for small molecules targeting RNA.
Mathematician and AI expert turned biotech entrepreneur. Her background spans AI-driven product development, from bioinformatics to deep learning and classical algorithms. She has built and led AI initiatives in early-stage startups, translating complex ideas into impactful products. Alongside her technical work, she has been deeply involved in mentoring and community leadership in tech, promoting both knowledge sharing and career growth. In recent years, she has become passionate about the tech-bio revolution, and she has come to believe that the most exciting thing she can do with her tech background is to advance biology! Hence came to life Renasis Bio, an AI-driven drug discovery platform for small molecules targeting RNA.
Dor Arieli
Tech expert and biotech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in building large-scale AI-driven and data analysis platforms, and leading R&D teams in early-stage startups. She has spearheaded projects across healthtech and cybersecurity- always focused on turning advanced technologies into practical solutions for major challenges. After spending the past decade fascinated by the transformative potential at the intersection of technology and biology, she co-founded Renasis Bio, where they are developing an AI-driven drug discovery platform for small molecules targeting RNA.
Tech expert and biotech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in building large-scale AI-driven and data analysis platforms, and leading R&D teams in early-stage startups. She has spearheaded projects across healthtech and cybersecurity- always focused on turning advanced technologies into practical solutions for major challenges. After spending the past decade fascinated by the transformative potential at the intersection of technology and biology, she co-founded Renasis Bio, where they are developing an AI-driven drug discovery platform for small molecules targeting RNA.

