Devoted to meet our commitment
Our journey continues to evolve thanks to our diverse team of experts sharing mutual commitment and dedication, to addressing the immense clinical unmet need for mitochondrial diseases
Our vision
We strive to be the global leader in developing novel Mitochondrial Cell Therapies to treat people stricken with mitochondrial diseases.
Every day, together with the world’s leading scientists, clinicians and patients’ groups we are translating our mitochondrial science into meaningful therapies for mitochondrial diseases – anywhere from ultra-rare to more common ones.
Global Development Plan
Making our therapy available to patients around the world as fast as responsible:
- Strategically-located operations enable a global, multi-site trial approach (ILS, US, EU)
- Collaboration with top clinical sites, investigators and Patient Advocacy Groups to develop clinical endpoints and enhance disease understanding
Minovia Mitochondria Research & Development Center
Haifa, Israel
Minovia GMP Processing Plant
Haifa, Israel
Minovia Clinical Site
Sheba Medical Center
Tel Aviv, Israel
Minovia EU Operations
Zug
Switzerland
Clinical Site
United States (coming soon)
Minovia US Operations
Kendall Square, Cambridge
United States
Clinical site Europe
(2021)
Key Accomplishments to-Date
Our ability to execute is driven by our highly experienced executive team, comprehensive regulatory strategy and clinical development plan in partnerships with key physicians and advisors.
Leadership
Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, PhD
Co-founder & CEO
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Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, PhDCo-founder & CEO
Natalie is a life science entrepreneur; led the company since incorporation in 2012. Natalie has twenty years’ experience in mitochondrial research and received her PhD in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University in 2007, after which she performed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science until 2010. Natalie founded Minovia with a passion to help children and adults with mitochondrial diseases worldwide.
Noa Sher, PhD
Chief Scientist
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Noa Sher, PhDChief Scientist
Noa is highly experienced research leader in the cell therapy space and a molecular and cellular biologist by training. Noa received her PhD in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University in 2007, after which she performed her postdoctoral studies at the Whitehead Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA and at the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel. She joined Minovia after several years as head of a research team heading preclinical development and characterization of all clinical-stage products at Pluristem, an Israeli-based cell therapy company.
Bethany Sensenig, MBA, CMA
CFO & Head of US Operations
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Bethany Sensenig, MBA, CMACFO & Head of US Operations
Bethany brings over 15 years’ experience in Life Sciences finance and operations, with a deep background in public-company financial operations, strategy, and commercial operations. Most recently Bethany was a VP of Finance and Commercial Operations at Biogen, leading the Biosimilars business in Europe and responsible for commercial launch of rare disease drugs in multiple countries. Bethany holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Business from Western Carolina University and is a Certified Management Accountant.
Alan Jacobs, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer
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Alan Jacobs, MD, PhDChief Medical Officer
Dr. Alan Jacobs brings over 20 years of experience leading international teams in the research and development of therapeutics and medical devices. His executive experience in companies such as Elan Pharmaceuticals, PerceptiMed and Hemostemix also encompasses clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, fundraising, grant funding, and Intellectual Property. He has been awarded numerous research grants, fellowships, patents, awards and honors, and has authored many publications. He has served on several committees, including the National Institutes of Health NINDS Stroke Progress Review Group, American Society of Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Health Technology Center Expert Panel Stem Cell Technology, and the American Society of Neurotransplantation and Repair.
Shay Bukshpan, MSc, MBA
Head of EU Operations
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Shay Bukshpan, MSc, MBAHead of EU Operations
Shay is a highly experienced leader in commercialization of rare disease and biosimilar products. Former Regional Director at Biogen, Shay led commercial operation across multiple countries in EU and non-EU countries. Shay holds an MSc. from The Weizmann Institute of Science and an MBA from INSEAD.
John Campbell
Head of US Clinical Development
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John CampbellHead of US Clinical Development
John brings over 20 years of clinical drug development experience within the pharmaceutical industry with a recent focus on rare disease clinical trial design and regulatory strategy. John has worked within large global pharmaceutical companies (GlaxoSmithKline) and small biotech start-up companies across several therapeutic areas. He is active within the rare disease community and serves on the Board of Directors of the non-profit patient group Rare New England (RNE).
Eyal Shoshani, MBA
Head of Clinical Operations
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Eyal Shoshani, MBAHead of Clinical Operations
Eyal brings the breadth and depth of 15 years of Clinical Operations expertise, alongside strong hands-on experience in managing ClinOps in pharma companies, innovative startups, and global CROs. Eyal holds a BSc in Biotechnology Engineering, an MBA degree. Eyal joined Minovia after few years as the Director of Clinical Operations at Pluristem, a cell therapy company, in which he led a variety of studies in various stages including 2 pivotal phase III multi-center, multi-national studies.
Board of Directors
John Cox, MBA
Chairman of the Board
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John Cox, MBAChairman of the Board
John joined Minovia Therapeutics in February 2019 and brings over 25 years of experience in biopharmaceuticals. Mr. Cox is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Repertoire Immune Medicines, and was formerly the CEO of Bioverativ, which he built and grew from a new venture with two drugs, Eloctate® and Alprolix® for the treatment of hemophilia A and B. In February 2018 Mr. Cox led Bioverativ to a successful acquisition by Sanofi for $11.6B.
Natalie Yivgi-Ohana PhD
Co-founder, CEO & Board member
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Natalie Yivgi-Ohana PhDCo-founder, CEO & Board member
Natalie is a life science entrepreneur; led the company since incorporation in 2012. Natalie has twenty years’ experience in mitochondrial research and received her PhD in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University in 2007, after which she performed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science until 2010. Natalie founded Minovia with passion to help children ans adults with mitochondrial diseases worldwide.
Uriel Halavee, PhD
Co-founder & Board Member
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Uriel Halavee, PhDCo-founder & Board Member
Uri is a serial entrepreneur and inventor. He is the former General Manager of Soreq Nuclear Center, Israel. Uri successfully co-founded 6 hi-tech companies: Opal, X-Technologies, Kailight, Radiancy, Sonotron and Oplon.
Ephraim Aharonson, PhD
Co-founder & Board Member
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Ephraim Aharonson, PhDCo-founder & Board Member
Efraim is an Ex-Deputy Head, Israel Institute for Biological Research. He is a former executive at Siemens Israel and a serial angel investor in Israeli start-up companies.
Zeev Milbauer
Board Member
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Zeev MilbauerBoard Member
Zeev is an Angel investor and member of the board of several companies. Zeev is the former Chief Executive Officer and Partner at I.B.I. Investment Banking and brings years of vast experience in brokerage and investment banking.
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