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 (IL, 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.

Shai Melcer, LL.M., Ph.D.

Chief Business Officer

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Shai Melcer, LL.M., Ph.D.Chief Business Officer

Shai is a multi-disciplinary executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of leadership in business, government, academia and NPO’s. Former CEO of BIOHOUSE, designed and established a biomedical business platform of R&D sites in medical centers, entrepreneurs and strategic partners from industry and investment. Shai holds an LL.B., LL.M. (business) and Ph.D. (Genetics), all from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a certified Attorney and Mediator.

Amnon Eylath, ALM

VP Head of Global Quality

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Amnon Eylath, ALMVP Head of Global Quality

Amnon is a seasoned quality executive, experienced in the complete life cycle of drug development, covering biotech, pharmaceutical and cell therapy products, from the R&D stage through nonclinical and toxicological safety studies, clinical trials, process and method development, GMP manufacturing, facility validation, support of regulatory submissions for US/EU/MHRA clinical trials and product approvals, to global distribution of commercial drug products. Amnon has established effective and compliant GXP Quality Systems in the US, Switzerland, EU, and the UK, and managed GXP compliance programs for global clinical trials, for US and International Health Authority inspections (FDA, EMA, MHRA), including for-cause inspections. Amnon is recognized as a thought-leader on the Phase-Appropriate application of GMP to drug development, and on the application of Science and Compliance-based Quality oversight. Amnon has been a volunteer at the ISPE and PDA professional organizations, collaborating with FDA and international regulators on various programs and technical reports.

Nadav Eshkol

Director of Process Development and Manufacturing

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Nadav EshkolDirector of Process Development and Manufacturing

Nadav has more than 10 years of experience in the world of cell therapy, focusing on process development and manufacturing.
He is an expert in developing complex cell therapy processes, optimization, scale-up, tech transfer from development to manufacturing, and process implementation in the manufacturing line, both in start-ups, and in large manufacturing companies.
Before joining Minovia, Nadav led the departments of development and manufacturing at Pluristem, an Israeli-based cell therapy company.

Limor Lior

VP People and Culture

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Limor LiorVP People and Culture

Limor is an experienced senior HR leader with over 18 years of experience in health-tech companies. She has deep professional knowledge of the biotech field, and personal experience as a manager. Before joining Minovia, Ms. Lior worked at Pluristem Therapeutics in various multi-disciplinary roles, including Manufacturing Manager and Organizational Development Senior Manager, and HRBP. She holds an MSc. in Biotechnology Engineer from the Technion, and she’s a certified coach, mediator and group facilitator. Limor is dedicated to the organization’s people, culture, and their continued development, and has a passion for innovative technologies that impact human life.

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