Distinguished Professionals

Lecturers
& Mentors

Advanced sessions, professional materials, one-to-one mentorship, and expert guidance – supporting  startup founders in shaping and strengthening their projects

Mentors' Experience

Distinguished Lecturers & Mentors Voices

Lecturers & Mentors

biotechnology venture readiness program

Prof. Ahmed <br> Alaskar

Prof. Ahmed
Alaskar

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
MD, FRCP(C), FACP. Senior hematologist, professor, and biotech leader. Founded Saudi stem cell registry and oncology dept. Leads KAIMRC, driving national research, innovation, and biotech strategy across Saudi health ecosystem
Dr. Mobarak <br> Almulhim

Dr. Mobarak
Almulhim

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
MD, MBA. Senior Consultant in Critical Care & Emergency Medicine, Harvard faculty, and co-founder of Executive Health. Over 25 years in clinical, academic, and leadership roles across Saudi Arabia’s top health institutions
Dr. Noha A. <br> Alotaibi

Dr. Noha A.
Alotaibi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Biotechnology leader and Chief of Senior Experts at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). With 10+ years in biotechnology, healthcare, and strategy, she has played a key role in shaping national biotech initiatives
Dr. George <br> Syrmalis

Dr. George
Syrmalis

Lecturer, Mentor (U.S.)
MD, PhD. Founder of Bioscience Equity Partners, Dr. Syrmalis is a biotech investor and physician with global IPO success and deep expertise in nuclear medicine, theranostics, and translational research across the US, Europe, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Matteo <br> Turi

Dr. Matteo
Turi

Lecturer, Mentor (UK)
CFO, Mentor & Strategic Advisor. An accomplished Chief Financial Officer and entrepreneur with three decades of experience across biotechnology, clean energy, technology, etc. Structured multimillion-dollar investments
Dr. Ana <br> Baroni

Dr. Ana
Baroni

Lecturer, Mentor (U.S.)
MD, PhD, and 6 MSc degrees with 25y+ of experience in Geromedicine, Regenerative, integrative, Functional, and Precision Medicine. Chief Science Officer at Longevitytech.fund. Expert in longevity, and due diligence
Dr. Sascha <br> Berger

Dr. Sascha
Berger

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Investment Director at NEOM Biotech, where he contributes to building Saudi Arabia’s emerging life sciences ecosystem. Brings 20 years of experience across life science venture capital, corporate M&A, and strategy consulting
Dr. Melya Hughes <br> Crameri

Dr. Melya Hughes
Crameri

Lecturer, Mentor (UK, CH)
PhD, EPA, mIoD. 25+ yrs executive and strategic experience in the life sciences industry. Founded and served as CEO, CBO, at board level to companies in Europe/USA. Managing Director at Awen Life Sciences
Prof. Bander <br> Balkhi

Prof. Bander
Balkhi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Professor of Health Economics and Policy at the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University. Focuses on key areas within health economics, including efficiency analysis, real world evidence, pharmaceutical pricing, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs)
Mr. Salem <br> Almutairi

Mr. Salem
Almutairi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Intellectual Property Expert, Certified IP Trainer specializing in IP strategy, enforcement, and intangible asset management. Experienced in IP development and international collaboration, WIPO-certified, background in public administration and strategic management
Dr. Yasser <br> Albogami

Dr. Yasser
Albogami

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Academic leader and innovator at the intersection of artificial intelligence, real-world evidence (RWE), and health technology assessment (HTA). Vice Dean for Development and Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at King Saud University
Dr. Mariam <br> AlEissa

Dr. Mariam
AlEissa

Mentor (KSA)
PhD, ACE. Certified Genetic consultant, with 20+ years in Saudi healthcare system, entrepreneur, mentor, Founder and CEO of Generation Health. Pioneers AI genomics, precision medicine, cultural innovation across disciplines, national and international initiatives
Dr. George <br> Voren

Dr. George
Voren

Lecturer, Mentor (U.S.)
Investor at Curie.Bio, focuses on global sourcing of new therapeutic companies. His work bridges science, business, and medicine. PhD in Neuropharmacology, contributed to the discovery of the first selective Orexin 1 Receptor Antagonist
Dr. Budoor <br> AlMansour

Dr. Budoor
AlMansour

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
A biotech and healthcare entrepreneur with 17+ years in bridging science, business, and investment across Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, the UAE, and global markets. Co-founded Novo Genomics, advises on AI-driven precision health and biotech investments
Dr. Marwan <br> Alsaedi

Dr. Marwan
Alsaedi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Physician, entrepreneur, and biotech investor at the forefront of longevity, regenerative medicine, and aesthetic innovation. Dedicated to bridging science, clinical practice, and venture development in healthspan and human performance
Mr. Jeff <br> Stinson

Mr. Jeff
Stinson

Lecturer, Mentor (U.S.)
Founder and Director of HealthTech Arkansas, Jeff drives health innovation and startup growth in the medtech/healthtech. He’s led tech transfer, accelerator programs, and six venture funds over the past 20 years, invested in 75 startup
Dr. Abdullah K.<br> Alshememry

Dr. Abdullah K.
Alshememry

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Biotech strategist, advises Saudi health authorities on drug regulation, R&D, and healthcare policy. With leadership roles at SFDA, SCFHS, and King Saud University, drives innovation in regulation, and clinical research. Holds Ph.D. in Pharma, and MBA
Mr. Sultan <br>Almansour

Mr. Sultan
Almansour

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
CEO of All Care Group, a leading healthcare ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. With 20+ years across finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, he drives strategic localization, joint ventures, and innovation. ACG actively explores investment in health innovation
Mr. Ali <br>Djedid

Mr. Ali
Djedid

Lecturer, Mentor (France)
Head of Technical Scientific Solutions, EMEA at Merck Group (Life Science), with 12+ years leading technical operations, localization initiatives, and strategic partnerships across Europe and the Middle East. Directs multi-stakeholder programs in the pharma sector
Dr. Jahad <br> Alghamdi

Dr. Jahad
Alghamdi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Executive Director of Benefit and Risk Evaluation at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Oversees the scientific assessment of the clinical and non-clinical modules of medicinal products and leads regulatory decisions on clinical trial approvals
 Mr. Fadzhairi <br> Jabar

Mr. Fadzhairi
Jabar

Lecturer, Mentor (Malaysia)
Entrepreneur and biotech strategist, driving biotech investments and global partnerships, with 28 years of experience. CEO at Arcadia Life Sciences. Previously a GM at Intervenn San Francisco (US), and a VP at Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation
Dr. Ehab <br> AlShamleh

Dr. Ehab
AlShamleh

Lecturer, Mentor (Canada)
MSc, MTEI. Pharma executive and CMC strategist with 20+ years. Founder of CMC Strategy Partners, biotech ventures scale-up and compliance advisory. Held senior roles at Hikma and Baxter. Led 100+ products development and facility expansions (MENA, NA)
Dr. Amgad Talaat <br> Soliman

Dr. Amgad Talaat
Soliman

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Global Healthcare and Biotechnology Executive, Strategic Alliances and Market Access Leader, Mentor. 30+ years experience 30+ years driving healthcare across the MEA. Regional Cluster Head for Saudi Arabia at EVA Pharma. Holding dual MBAs
Dr. Yun Kyoung <br> Kang

Dr. Yun Kyoung
Kang

Lecturer, Mentor (Korea)
An accomplished professional with 20+ years in research, spanning biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and translational science, including drug discovery. Held significant leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry and startup ventures
Mr. Osama K. <br> Bin Salman

Mr. Osama K.
Bin Salman

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
MHA, SMP, BSMP, P3O, GRCP, IFCE. Executive leader and advisor in healthcare strategy, transformation, and growth. Co-founder and BoD Member for Health Entrepreneurship and other entities, enable startups in fundraising and Saudi market entry. Advisor at KFSHRC
Mr. Jalal <br> Awad

Mr. Jalal
Awad

Lecturer, Mentor (Germany)
Global healthcare executive with over 20 years of cross-functional leadership across the MEA, Turkey, Europe, and Asia. Project Lead of Value Creation at Siemens Healthineers. Specialized in strategic consulting and investor support
Dr. Mustafa <br> Aljasser

Dr. Mustafa
Aljasser

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
B.Sc., MBA, an innovative professional, expert in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, and Regulatory Sectors. Chief Business Officer at Sudair Pharmaceutical Company. Focuses on Oncology and Advanced Therapeutics
Dr. Tariq <br> Tawfiq Massad

Dr. Tariq
Tawfiq Massad

Lecturer, Mentor (Canada)
PhD, PMP. Biotech executive with 20+ years in biologics manufacturing, CMC strategy, and process development. VP at Eurofins CDMO, leading a $100M biomanufacturing expansion in North America. Formerly at IMV, Apotex, Sanofi, Therapure Biopharma
Mr. Deepak <br> Mansukhani

Mr. Deepak
Mansukhani

Lecturer, Mentor (UAE)
Principal, Deals and Financial Institutions Advisory, MEA at IQVIA. 18 years as a Pharmaceutical industry practitioner and management consultant, worked for BCG, Accenture, and PwC, across the US, UK, EU, the MEA, India, and Mexico markets
Mr. Adel <br> Alghamdi

Mr. Adel
Alghamdi

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Regulatory affairs and GMP inspection expert with 6+ years of experience across biopharmaceutical industries. Specialized in biologics manufacturing, technology transfer, and localization strategies in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Mr. Zohaib <br> Ahmad

Mr. Zohaib
Ahmad

Lecturer, Mentor (KSA)
Seasoned entrepreneur and strategic advisor with deep expertise in Saudi market entry, information technologies, new venture establishment, and growth. Founder of Navigate Saudi and Co-Founder of NMKKN, actively contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystems
Galiya <br> Potapchuk

Galiya
Potapchuk

Program Manager (KSA)
Program founder, economist, Founder & CEO at Value Chain Global. Specializes in information and Saudi-focused investment and localization projects, global partnerships and delivering projects specific to executing Vision 2030 goals as a practice

Mentors' Talks

venture readiness and saudi alignment advice