Team
Prof Moussa Youdim – President, CSO
A world-renowned expert in pharmacology, Prof. Youdim is the inventor and developer of the innovative Parkinson’s disease drug “Azilect”, Teva’s second largest innovative blockbuster, with annual revenues on $700M, and Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Prof. Youdim has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, professor emeritus at the Technion, where he was the head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine for over 30 years and was awarded the Israel Prize in 2022 for “his pioneering, groundbreaking scientific achievements in the field of neuropharmacology.
Tal Youdim – CEO,BOD
As an expert in the area of medical devices with vast experience in engineering, Tal Youdim joined Youdim as CTO to support the technical aspect of the incubator’s work. In the past he has worked on development of mitral valve replacement & repair technology, Central venous catheter technology and drug device combinations concentrating on innovative administration of drugs to the brain. He is the co-founder of several company’s including Endopump, Exegiline, Neuroptic and ResQ Medical. Today he sits on several BOD’s of the group where he focuses the company on the core strategies of therapy innovation and economic value.
Efrat Herscovitch – CFO,BOD
With extensive experience in the area of Technological incubators, Efrat has over 20-years experience with start-up companies, having served in various financial positions at incubators. Prior joining TerraLab, she served in various finance positions as CFO and Finance controller in Israeli companies such as Eltam Technological Incubator, Naiot Technological Center, L.N. innovative Technology Ltd and has rendered financial services to the project companies during and post the incubation period.
Amit Ashkenazi – BOD
Has an extensive experience in the medical device arena for more than 22 years. On his record are senior executive positions such as the CEO of Intratech Medical Ltd, and President & CEO of Keystone Heart, which was acquired by Venus Medtech (2500.HK). Experienced in leading significant teams with track records of building a full-blown company, and selling devices in the cardiac field. Among his responsibilities He built an innovation center developing various solutions for cardiovascular applications, managing R&D teams simultaneously in several medical device startups, leading multidisciplinary R&D teams from a concept to commercialization. Amit holds a BSc in mathematics and computer science.
Shuki Porath – BOD
A seasoned executive with over 26 years in the medical devices industry. Shuki has led Valcare Medical as President & CEO, driving advancements in the structural heart field, and previously served as President & CEO of Keystone Heart, focusing on embolic protection. Shuki’s extensive background includes over a decade in senior roles at Johnson & Johnson, where he specialized in product management, business development, and clinical applications. He serves on the Board of Directors and acts as a strategic advisor for multiple medical device companies. Shuki holds degrees in Electrical Engineering (BSc), Industrial Engineering (MSc), and an MBA.
Avri Maoz – Eng
Was the CEO of Yazamut Haemek incubator and involved in startup companies and entrepreneurship for over 30 years with vast experience in submitting governmental grants and working with the IIA. Avri in charge of strategic technology and company screening, deu-diligence and grant submissions.
Dr. Santiago Ini – PMO
Is an Organic Chemist expert in innovation in the life science sector. Former Director of Life Science of T3 (Tech. transfer office of the Technion), Director of Cannasoul and founder of Mental Heal and Glaucopharm.
Scientific Advisory Board
Prof. Moussa Youdim, a world-renowned expert in pharmacology, is Youdim’s Chairman. Prof. Youdim is the inventor and developer of the innovative Parkinson’s disease drug “Azilect”, Teva’s second largest innovative blockbuster, with annual revenues on $700M, and Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Prof. Youdim has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, professor emeritus at the Technion, where he was the head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine for over 30 years.
Prof. Eliyahu Heldman, A professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University, with over 40 years’ experience in neuroscience research, Prof. Heldman’s experience includes work at NIH and evaluation of CNS-active drugs at the Israel Institute for Biological Research. In 2003, he co-founded NeuroDerm Ltd., Israel (NASDAQ: NDRM). Prof. Heldman was also a co-inventor of Cevimeline (EvoxacTM), an FDA-approved muscarinic agonist, for the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome. He has published over 130 scientific articles, is co-inventor of more than 10 patents and has edited two books on the subject of neuroactive drugs.
Prof. Peter Riederer, is a German neuroscientist with several thousands of citations and around 950 scientific writings. He has published more than 620 scientific papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals that are indexed in MEDLINE, the most referent biomedical scientific database. He has also been author and co-author of more than 20 books relevant to the fields of neuroscience, psychiatry and neurology.
Prof. Shimon Amsalem, Engaged in drug discovery and development of innovative new chemical entities with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Worked in a multidisciplinary environment in technical and R&D areas from preclinical to GMP production of injectable, ocular, oral, and topical drug products. Involved in the pharmaceutical development of 30 new products, 6 of them marketed in the US and Europe. Made significant contributions to five NDA (New Drug Application) approvals by the FDA and four IND (Investigational New drugs), in Phase II/III clinical trials.
Dr. Santiago Ini, PMO, Is an Organic Chemist expert in innovation in the life science sector. Former Director of Life Science of T3 (Tech. transfer office of the Technion), Director of Cannasoul and founder of Mental Heal and Glaucopharm.