BIOGRAPHYDr. Nikola Helmberg graduated as PhD in Zoology and Biochemistry at the Karl-Franzens University in Graz, Austria in the year 1987. After graduation, she worked as medical representative for twelve years in the pharmaceutical industry after having passed the professional qualification as medical representative in Austria. In 2008, she joined the independent contract research organization JSW Lifesciences GmbH in Grambach, Austria as Clinical Research Associate. During her career she gained clinical trial experience from early screening to phase 3 in medical writing, monitoring and regulatory affairs for several studies with different indications and served as project manager in two international multi-center phase II Alzheimer studies and a clinical trial in children and adults with COPD. In 2011, she acquired the position of Deputy Director and one year later took over the position of Director of the Clinical Department at JSW Lifesciences, becoming directly involved in several aspects of company management and leadership activities. Due to her knowledge in clinical research and management she took over the position as head of clinical operations at AXON in 2013, a pharmaceutical company specialized in the development of new compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, located in Bratislava, Czech Republic. Dr. Helmberg’s current position is Chief Operating Officer at NeuroScios GmbH in Austria. She founded the company together with Dr. Manfred Windisch as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Helmberg is managing and coordinating clinical research activities for international clinical studies with special focus on the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases