Become a leader who can connect science with business

Jan Konvalinka is Director of IOCB Prague and an internationally recognized biochemist. After studying biochemistry at Charles University, he pursued research fellowships in London, Cardiff, Heidelberg, and Hamburg before returning to IOCB Prague, where he now leads the institute. He previously served as Vice-Rector for Science and Research at Charles University. Combining scientific excellence with extensive leadership experience, he is a strong advocate for innovation and the translation of research into societal impact.

Kristýna Kárová is a neuroscientist at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where she focuses on spinal cord injury research and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. She studied Immunology and Neuroscience at Charles University and completed a research fellowship at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. As a graduate of the first Executive Academy cohort, she won the programme’s final Pitch Competition. At the Executive Academy, Kristýna will share her experience of the programme and her journey to the winning pitch.

Jan is Chief Scientific Officer at Enantis, where he leads new product development and protein manufacturing. A biochemist specializing in biocatalysis, protein engineering, and structural biology, he earned his PhD at the University of Amsterdam and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia. Jan is an alumnus of the first Executive Academy cohort and an Executive Academy Ambassador.

Roger is a European patent attorney and partner in Dentons Patent Solutions‘ Munich office. He is a specialist in life sciences including computer–implemented inventions and has considerable experience across a wide range of pharmaceutical and biotech fields. He brings with him considerable experience in both German and European matters, including preparation and prosecution of patent applications, handling opposition and appeal hearings, as well as opinion and litigation consultancy matters.  

Roberto is a scientist-turned-entrepreneur with a PhD in Chemistry and currently serves as COO of LAM-X. He is passionate about turning research into products that make a real difference — from drug delivery and biomaterials to light-activated antimicrobial technologies. With a strong focus on innovation, strategy, and bridging the gap between science and business, Roberto builds partnerships that drive progress and impact. 

Karin is General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb for the Czech Republic and for Hungary. With more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she has held senior leadership positions across Central and Eastern Europe. She is a strong advocate for innovative medicines, clinical research, and the development of a thriving life sciences and biotech ecosystem. In the Executive Academy, Karin will share her practical experience in team competencies, team dynamics, and leadership.

Martina Beranová is a Senior Communications Consultant at Benes Consulting Group, advising companies in biotechnology and other innovation-driven sectors on strategic communications, marketing, and reputation management. She studied immunology and economics, combining scientific expertise with business insight to help organizations turn innovation into market impact. At the Executive Academy, Martina will share her expertise in the Business Development & Marketing Techniques workshop.

Jan studied molecular biology and genetics. After research at Northeastern University in Boston, he held positions at international biotech companies, where he focused on DNA and immune system sequencing technologies and biomarker assay development. At IOCB Tech Group, he leads international startup projects, specializing in technology scouting, technology evaluation, and the management of pre-incubation and incubation programs. At the Executive Academy, Jan will lead the Building a Business workshop.

Kamila is an Incubation Manager at i&i Prague. She brings over a decade of scientific experience in molecular biology, genome stability, and DNA repair, gained at leading research institutions including the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Prague, the University of Oxford, and the University of Sussex. At i&i Prague, she supports the development and growth of early-stage biotech projects with strong scientific foundations. Her deep understanding of academic research allows her to bridge the gap between science and commercialization effectively.

Martin Dienstbier is Co-Founder and CEO of DIANA Biotechnologies, a Czech biotech company that grew from an academic spin-off into the country’s largest manufacturer of PCR tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. He studied biophysics and economics at Charles University, earned a PhD at the University of Cambridge, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford. At the Executive Academy, Martin will lead the Business Plan & Corporate Finance workshop.

Barbora is a biotechnology expert, attorney, and founder of dubanska & co. She specializes in life sciences, pharmaceutical law, and digital health. With over 20 years of experience in legal and regulatory affairs, she advises universities, research centers, and biotech companies on technology transfer, licensing, and commercialization. She has worked for leading international law firms in Prague, Vienna, Munich, and London. Barbora also gained direct industry experience as Legal Counsel at Novartis Oncology, where she handled complex legal, compliance, market access, and commercial matters. 

Aleksander is a manager with 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Passionate about people and their needs, he identifies, invests in, and supports medical technology and deep-tech companies. He draws on extensive experience in leading sales teams, developing marketing strategies, and managing investment processes to create value for founders, investors, and other stakeholders. Aleksander is a Managing Partner at the Polish venture capital firm YouNick Mint. At the Executive Academy, he will share his experience negotiating with investors.

Karel has 20+ years leadership experience from Life Science, Pharma and Diagnostics in multinational pharmaceutical-chemical companies. During 11 years in executive management and board positions as CEO of the Czech Merck subsidiary and later Head of EEMEA region in Merck Millipore division, Karel enjoyed building and leading multinational teams across 3 continents. 

Ondřej is an investor and technology expert currently working as a VC Principal at Tensor Ventures, a fund focused on deep tech startups. During his studies at the University of Economics in Prague, he completed an internship in Sri Lanka, where he worked on the digitalisation of banking and corporate systems. He has experience from several companies. At Tensor Ventures, Ondřej focuses on identifying and evaluating early-stage tech projects. He also contributes to portfolio development and strategic investment planning.  

Tomáš has 17 years of experience in investment fundmanagement, venture capital and private transactions. He is a partner at i&i Biotech Fund. He spent over eight years in executive management roles at SMEs, including several start-ups. Prior to entering the private equity sector, he worked at PwC, focusing on corporate finance, due diligence, and valuations. Tomáš holds a Master’s degree from the University of Economics in Prague and an MBA from the City University of Seattle. He was a member of ACCA/FCCA. 

Adam is a partner at KeyMove with over 11 years of experience in commercial, competition and regulatory law, with a strong focus on biotech and life sciences. He advises start-ups as well as international companies on structuring deals, handling compliance, and creating legal frameworks that foster innovation and growth. 

Jiří  has over 14 years of experience in neuroscience and regenerative medicine. Before joining i&i Prague, he worked as a researcher at the Institute of Experimental Medicine and its international research center. Since 2024, he has been the Chief Business Officer at Deep MedChem. Jiří graduated from the Faculty of Science at Charles University and earned his PhD at the Second Faculty of Medicine. As a member of the Neurorecon team, he spent several months at Imperial College London and closely collaborated with the University of Cambridge. 

Kristina leads communications at Prague.bio, a platform connecting biotech companies, researchers, and investors across Central Europe. Previously, she worked at the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC Czech Republic), where she helped launch the first edition of Czech Space Week. At the Executive Academy, she will share her hands-on experience in brand building, communicating innovative projects and connecting expert communities.

Jan is a business development professional with over 14 years of experience in the life sciences industry. He has dedicated most of his career to identifying and cultivating business opportunities that introduce technological innovation into healthcare.

He holds a degree in Business Management and Economics from the University of Economics in Bratislava and an MBA focused on Digital Enterprise Management from the European Polytechnic Institute.

Since September 2025, Jan is the  at a Dutch TechBio company, QurieGen, where he is responsible for all business development related acitivies, including commercial strategy, business model, partnerships, and go-to-market planning.

Previously, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Appsilon, Business Development Manager at Cognexa, and Senior Conference Producer at Next Level Life Sciences. From 2020–2025, Jan was Senior Director of Business Development at Insilico Medicine, where he led commercialization efforts for Insilico’s Pharma.ai platform.

Kryštof is a graduate of organic chemistry at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, and the founder of SigutLabs, a CRO focused on the synthesis and development of complex organic molecules for biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications. His work bridges academic chemical expertise with the practical needs of research teams and startups. At Executive Academy, he will lead the “Building a Business” workshop focused on turning scientific expertise into a functioning company.

Kateřina studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague and earned her PhD at the University of Basel. After her academic career, she moved into technology transfer, where she worked in business development at Charles University Innovations Prague, supporting the development of university spin-offs. She is now CEO of GeneSpector. At the Executive Academy, she will share her practical experience in negotiating with investors in the life sciences sector.

Veronika is a startup business consultant at JIC (South Moravian Innovation Centre) and co-owner of the biotechnology company Enantis, which she previously led as CEO. She holds a degree in biochemistry from Masaryk University and gained international research experience in the Netherlands and the United States. For many years, she has helped scientists and technology startups transform research into viable businesses through market validation, business development, and growth strategy. At the Executive Academy, she will lead a workshop on building a business plan for deep-tech and biotech ventures.

Diana is a Czech attorney specializing primarily in technology transfer. She supports innovation by drafting various agreements and advising on intellectual property, corporate governance, and other legal aspects of company formation and growth. She is a legal partner to spin-off companies, guiding them through the commercialization of research results and other legal challenges. 

Pavlína, co-founder of Human Sense s.r.o., is an HR business partner with broad hiring experience in pharma, medtech, biotech, diagnostics & Life Sciences. Besides corporations, she supports startups in their early stages in HR topics, company values, employer branding,  and definition of the required competences & skills important to move successfully from research to commercialization of the innovative solutions.