Science. Strategy. Shared Purpose.
We pair scientific discovery with clinical and commercial leadership to turn a novel host-directed platform into medicines — for the viral infections patients face today and the threats that emerge tomorrow.
Leadership
Mario Huesca, Ph.D.
Dr. Mario Huesca is co-founder of ViroCarb Inc. and brings more than 20 years of biotechnology experience in R&D and small-molecule therapeutics. His work has supported the discovery and development of drug candidates for cancer and infectious diseases, from early research through clinical advancement. He holds degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology, microbiology, and molecular and medical genetics from UNAM and the University of Toronto and has authored more than 40 scientific papers and numerous patents.
Clifford Lingwood, Ph.D.
Dr. Clifford Lingwood is an emeritus professor of biochemistry, laboratory medicine, and pathobiology at the University of Toronto and a scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children. His research has focused on glycosphingolipids, their role in normal and disease biology, and their potential as therapeutic targets. His work has advanced understanding of verotoxin receptors, hemolytic uremic syndrome, cancer biology, and antiviral drug discovery. He is also co-founder of Select Therapeutics, which achieved a successful NASDAQ exit.
Bharat Tewarie, MD, MBA
Dr. Bharat Tewarie is currently CEO at Helio Genomics; he is a global biopharmaceutical executive with more than 30 years of experience in P&L management, corporate strategy, clinical and commercial operations, and new product launches. He has held senior leadership roles across the United States and Europe with organizations including Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, EMD Serono, Merck KGaA, and UCB. He has also served as CEO of ViroCarb Inc. and Prana Biosciences, and currently mentors life sciences and digital health founders through Endless Frontier Labs at NYU Stern.
Alan Cochrane, Ph.D.
Dr. Alan Cochrane is a professor in molecular genetics at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. His research focuses on RNA processing as a key regulator of gene expression in mammalian viruses and as a therapeutic target for viral infections. His laboratory has identified factors involved in HIV-1 RNA processing and small molecules that suppress viral replication, with work extending to unrelated viruses including adenovirus, influenza, and coronaviruses. His current research supports the development of RNA-processing approaches with potential pan-antiviral applications.
Advisory Board
Benoit Chabot, Ph.D.
Dr. Benoit Chabot is a leading RNA biology researcher whose work focuses on alternative RNA splicing and its role in disease, cancer biology, apoptosis, senescence, and evolution. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University and has held senior academic leadership roles at the Université de Sherbrooke, including Head of the Department of Microbiology. Dr. Chabot has held the Canada Research Chair in Functional Genomics, the Pierre C. Fournier Chair in Functional Genomics, and leadership roles within the RNA Society. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and has received national recognition for his scientific contributions and service to the RNA research community.
Robert Batey, Ph.D.
Dr. Robert Batey is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto with expertise in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery. His research focuses on complex small molecules, pharmaceutically relevant compounds, synthetic methods, protein degradation strategies, and small-molecule approaches targeting ClpP protease and the E1/E2/E3 ligase-proteasome pathway. He also advises biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and contract research organizations on drug discovery, organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, process chemistry, and patent strategy.
Heide Galvao Mognon
Heide Galvao Mognon is a global biopharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of experience in early-stage asset strategy, product development, and commercialization. Her expertise spans pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines, and digital health across U.S., Latin American, and global markets. She has held leadership roles at Actelion, Wyeth/Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur, and advises ViroCarb on asset development, investor positioning, and translating scientific innovation into commercially viable products.
Glaucia Vespa, Ph.D.
Dr. Glaucia Vespa is an immunologist and life sciences executive with extensive experience across vaccinology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, rare diseases, and oncology. She has held senior leadership roles in academia, government, pharma, and public vaccine manufacturing, including positions with Aventis, GSK, Wyeth/Pfizer, Novartis, Seqirus, Ipsen, Adium/Moderna, FIOCRUZ, BUTANTAN, and FURP. She serves as the coordinator of the Medicine Innovation Module for the MBA in Health Innovation Management at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo.
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