About Us

Marcelo Hill

Chief Scientific Officer

•MD, PhD at University of Nantes
•Director of FOCIS Center of Excellence at Institut Pasteur de Montevideo

Awarded with the Junior Basic Science Grant from the European Society for Organ Transplantation in 2009. Associate Professor at University of Nantes (2011-2012). Associate Professor in Immunology at Faculty of Medicine, University of the Republic. Principal Investigator of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Inflammation at Institut Pasteur de Montevideo. Director of the Centre for Translational Immunology (Centre of Excellence of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies). Up to date, he has published 36 scientific papers in international journals and has 4 patent request USPTO, USA.

María Varela

Chief Executive Officer

•BS in Biochemistry
•MSt. in Biotechnology

Biochemist Degree from University of the Republic of Uruguay, and Biotechnology Magister Program, led me to the experience and interaction in several laboratories. Despite the variable focus of each department I've worked in, my experience as scientist led me to discover that my real motivation relies on the translational bridge from laboratory to clinical impact. As a Biotech Entrepreneur I found in ARDAN PHARMA the perfect opportunity to jump into new interactions between academia and industry.

Pablo Oppezzo

Chief Hematology-Oncology Officer

•PhD at University of Paris
•PI at Institute Pasteur of Montevideo

Dr. Oppezzo has published more than 50 scientific papers in high impact factor journals such as Blood, Leukemia and Cancer Research. His research focuses on the mechanisms involved in the origins and progression of B-cell malignancies, specifically in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). He was the principal coordinator of the first CLL regional network through the CYTED international project (Programa Ibero Americano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo) between 2011 and 2014, and co-founder of the Latin American Group on CLL (LAG-CLL). Dr. Oppezzo has been member of the international scientific committee for the Young Investigators Meeting during the International CLL workshop and is an active member of the scientific and organizing committees of the IberoAmerican CLL meetings.

List of the main published works in:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Oppezzo+P

Silvina García Rubio

Advisory Board Member

•Process Chemistry and Program Management.
•Specialities: Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control.

Mercedes Lassus

Advisory Board Member

•Medical oncologist, with years of industry experience as global head of development for oncology, endocrinology and parasitic diseases in two major pharmaceutical firms.
•Specialties: Drug development plans, study design, portfolio management, registration strategy, evaluation of in/outlicensing opportunities.

Colin Bier

Advisory Board Member

PhD, Toxicologist. Managing and Scientific Director at ABA BioResearch, Inc.
Proven excellence in transitioning preclinical programs to clinical-stage drug development. Extensive knowledge across toxicology, regulatory and profitability business within the biotech and pharmaceutical sector.

Yves Decadt

Advisory Board Member

Eng, MBA.
Entrepreneurial CEO, form startup to IPO stages.
18 years at Johnson & Johnson, of which 10 years in the Global Business Development & Licensing group (based in Belgium, USA and Switzerland)

Laurent Jacqueroud

Advisory Board Member

PhD, PM.
Experienced business development professional with an extensive network in biotech, the pharmaceutical industry, venture capital firms and technology transfer offices.