Dr. Julie Horvath

Dr. Julie Horvath is a comparative evolutionary genomicist interested in understanding the evolutionary forces that have shaped primate genomes and that cause human disease. Genetic and genomic comparisons between humans and our closest relatives, the primates, are crucial for understanding our own evolution and unique characteristics. The foundation of Dr. Horvath’s research is based on species relationships, or phylogenies, which she first established for lemurs, and more recently, for all primates. These species relationships are applied to many of her research questions. Several examples of Horvath’s research investigate the connection between genotype (DNA sequence) and phenotype (traits and characteristics) that make flora and fauna unique. 

Jonathan Gilbert

Craig Thomson

Craig has considerable experience in providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice to a wide-range of clients and in relation to biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields.  As well as patent drafting and prosecution, Craig advises on the development of company-wide IP strategies, preparing for or carrying out funding/acquisition due diligence, and advising on aggressive/defensive strategies in relation to third party IP. He has a particular interest in inventions relating to the microbiome, including bacteriophage.

Artem Khlebnikov

Artem Khlebnikov is Strategic Partnerships Director at the Danone Nutricia Research. In his role, he works closely with public and private partners and Danone R&I colleagues brining open innovation  to help drive science-based opportunities that activate the Danone’s alimentation strategy and enable significant and sustainable growth opportunities aligned with Danone’s #OneHealth.OnePlanet approach.

Artem holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering from the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Moscow Russia, has completed his PhD in Biotechnology at the Swiss Federal institute of Technology in Lausanne and received Post-Doctoral training in Molecular Biology at University of California at Berkeley, USA.

Peter Sweetbaum

As an experienced CEO and executive within the technology sector, Peter brings along leadership, strategic guidance and entrepreneurial skills. Peter has a legal and corporate finance background and was Senior Technology Adviser within the HM Cabinet Office.

James Dening

James Murray

Tom Verlinden

Tom Verlinden obtained a Master in Pharmaceutical Science (University of Antwerp) and a master  in Industrial Pharmacy (IPIL, France). Tom substantiated his knowledge at the EM Lyon business school and proceeded to work in a mid-sized pharmaceutical company (Production Manager at Gifrer et SEV, France). Tom has experience with leading/managerial positions, since he has many years of experience in management positions (Vice-président and COO) at Qualiphar (Belgium) and (Vice-président and Responsible Pharmacist) at Gifrer SAS (France).

Nichola Eliovits

Nick's investment expertise spans across asset classes with an extensive focus on microbiome oriented companies across all stages of venture capital.

Nick is a Managing Partner at Olive Tree Capital; he led his last company through acquisition and has successfully seeded and structured companies across multiple industries.

His passion for the Microbiome originates from personal experiences with fungal skin infections and c-diff.

Nick graduated with honors from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business and started his career in commodity markets at CPM Group in New York.