From the Lab to the Market: Speakers

Training Week #3 – From the Lab to the Market
Deep Analysis of Real Cases
Faro, 25-26 October 2011
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João Navalho
NECTON, A4F (Algafuel)

João Navalho holds a B.S. in Marine Biology and Fisheries and a M.Sc. in Aquaculture, both by the University of Algarve. He is the founder and executive board member of NECTON – Companhia Portuguesa de Culturas Marinhas, S.A.. João also serves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and board member of A4F – Algafuel, S.A. – a NECTON spinout. Under his leadership, NECTON conceived and implemented a new Business Unit dedicated exclusively to the production of marine salt through traditional methods. NECTON received international recognition by the SlowFood movement for its work in the preservation of biodiversity. João was also a pioneer in Microalgae production in Portugal, installing the first pilot production unit, and developing appropriate technologies to scale-up production of several microalgae species. NECTON was also a leader in the production and commercialization of microalgae solutions for aquaculture. More recently, A4F was recognized for its participation in several projects that aim to develop innovative solutions and new technologies for CO2 sequestration using microalgae cultures in cooperation with high emitting industries, receiving several awards: BES Innovation Award 2006, National Environmental Innovation Award 2009 and European Environmental Press Award.

Greg Pogue
IC² Institute, The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Gregory Pogue is Senior Research Scientist in the IC² Institute of the University of Texas at Austin as where he leads research and implementation programs surrounding technology commercialization, early venture creation and entrepreneurship. Commercialization programs in Portugal, Mexico and several biomedical initiatives are current areas of focus.

Before coming to the University of Texas, Dr. Pogue served as Vice President of Business Development for Emergent Technologies, Inc. (ETI), and President of Receptor Logic, Inc. and Pure Protein, L.L.C. As Vice President of Business Development at Emergent Technologies, Dr. Pogue is responsible for evaluating the commercial potential of new technologies, determining both technical and market trajectories, and building partnerships to effectively commercialize products. In this capacity, Dr. Pogue was the catalyst behind the business negotiations and technical management of the strategic relationship between ETI and Merck & Co. purposed to identify novel strategies for siRNA drug delivery. Under his leadership, Receptor Logic and Pure Protein have forged partnerships with four Fortune 500 companies, obtained >$3M in competitive grant funding, including a $1.8M Oklahoma EDGE grant, and successfully competed for a $2M award from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. Dr. Pogue brings over twenty years of experience in biologic development, spanning research management, biologic regulation, and intellectual property development and licensing. Dr. Pogue most recently served as Licensing Associate for the University of Texas at Austin where he negotiated licenses with companies ranging from newly formed startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.

Before coming to Texas, Dr. Pogue served as Vice President of Research and Development at Large Scale Biology Corporation (LSBC), where he managed a broad development program involving product development and preclinical and clinical testing of numerous lead compounds, including two receiving Orphan Drug Designation from the US FDA and 16 successfully completing early clinical trials. He also developed licensing and R&D contracts with corporate, academic, and government entities and supervised collaborative research relationships. Before joining LSBC, Dr. Pogue worked in the U.S. FDA’s Center for Biologics Research and Evaluation as a scientist with Investigational New Drug and Biological Licensing Application review responsibilities. He holds a B.S. from Midwestern State University and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Pogue has published >40 original scientific articles and reviews, is an inventor on 17 U.S. patents, and is a frequent invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings.

Luís Rodrigues
Division of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (CRIA), University of Algarve

Luís Rodrigues is a Science and Technology Manager at CRIA where he is responsible for several knowledge transfer and research-based activities. Currently Luís works in supporting entrepreneurs and early stage companies and as a manager of incubation spaces inside the campus. He is also a member of the board of AlgarveSTP – Algarve Science and Technology Park.

Luís joined Algarve Regional Innovation Centre in 2005 to participate in the first technical reports and grant applications for a science and technological infrastructure – Algarve Science & Technology Park. He also helped installing the first Office of Knowledge and Technology Transfer in the University of Algarve.

Worked for 3 years analyzing and monitoring applications for vocational training courses and local development initiatives funded by the European Social Fund (Algarve Operational Program 2000-2006, Technical Support Structure).

Previously (1998) Luís served as Executive Manager of the regional branch of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), and as assistant manager at Grupo Ibersol Restauração, S.A. (planning opening and operations of two Pizza Hut Units).

Since he joined CRIA Luís has worked in securing funding from National and European Institutions to install R&D Departments in major regional IT companies. He has also been involved in cooperation projects between universities and companies, and also helping to create new spin-offs from UALG. Luís is a Bachelor in Hotel Management (5 years) and a post-graduate in Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve).

Recently he had the opportunity of developing a specialized individual internship in technology commercialization (UTEN Program) at the University of Texas (IC² Institute and Austin Technology Incubator).

Helena Vieira
President and CEO, Bioalvo

Helena Vieira is the CEO and co-founder of BIOALVO SA, a natural products biotech company focusing on maximizing bioactive discovery, since 2005. She holds a post graduation in Leadership & Strategy in Pharma & Bioptech, from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA and a PhD in Biomedicine from Imperial College of London, UK. She was also a researcher in the molecular and cellular biology fields, in Portugal and UK, and completed several other post graduations in the human molecular genetics field. Before starting-up BIOALVO, she was an Associated Professor and Scientific Coordinator of the biomedical and clinical engineering degrees at the Engineering Faculty of Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon. She also has experience as Principle Investigator at the Biomedical Nucleus, since 2005, at the same university. Currently, Helena is responsible for the supervision & teaching of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Transfer course to Master Students in the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon. She is currently leading a team of 15 people while managing one of the TOP 3 biotech companies in Portugal. Helena is highly skilled in biotech strategy and major technical aspects of natural products bioactive discovery and development fro several industries, from pharmaceutical to cosmetics and nutraceutics.