Science-driven and strategic R&D executive with 20+ years of broad biopharma industry experience in all phases of development, in programs involving small molecules, oligonucleotides, peptides, and various types of biologicals, for indications such as oncology, immunology / inflammation, CNS, pain, metabolism, and rare diseases. Contribution to clinical launch of more than 30 candidate drugs. Deep expertise in the areas of toxicology (incl. board certifications from the US and EU), drug discovery & development, translational medicine, project & portfolio management. Results-oriented operator with a demonstrated history of effectively building and operating biotech companies, taking them from academia into early clinical PoC, and eventually into exit (incl. Nasdaq). Track record in strategic planning, fund raising, budgeting, operations and business development. Strong communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. Built and transformed a San Diego -based academic startup into a clinical-stage biotech Cend Therapeutics, with the lead peptide product CEND-1 being tested in multiple clinical trials (operating the company into Phase 2 as the only FTE of the company 2017-2020). Cend was listed in Nasdaq as Lisata Therapeutics ($LSTA) in September 2022. Big pharma experience from AstraZeneca, toxicology project lead and portfolio management within Respiratory / Inflammation (Lund, Sweden) and CNS / Pain research areas (Montreal, Canada). Veterinary Medicine and PhD degrees from University of Helsinki, postdoctoral training at New York University Medical Center (New York, NY) and Max Planck Institute (Berlin, Germany). MBA (Medical Technology and Pharmaceuticals) from the University of New South Wales. Adjunct Professor of Toxicology at University of Helsinki since 2004. An author of >50 peer-reviewed scientific publications, patents, book chapters. Toxicology board certification toxicology from the US (DABT) and EU (ERT). Specialties: Drug discovery and development, oncology, solid tumors, cancer, CNS, gastrointestinal, IND, preclinical, clinical, toxicology, GLP, executive, pharmaceuticals, biologicals, peptides, RNA, pharmacology, management, Beijing, China, San Diego, Australia, India, Japan, CRO audit, GLP study monitoring, toxicology consultant.https://www.biotechgo.com/