AION Labs Welcomes New Scientific and Tech Leadership Team

In a significant move to advance its pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) capabilities, AION Labs has appointed Dr. Ilana Mandel as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Dr. Shira Warszawski as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This leadership enhancement is aimed at expanding AION’s innovative platform, which leverages emerging technologies to tackle critical challenges in drug development.

Advancing Drug Discovery with New Technology

AION Labs, a venture studio co-founded by prominent global pharmaceutical and technology companies including AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, and Teva, focuses on translating state-of-the-art technologies into successful health solutions. The inclusion of Mandel and Warszawski is set to bolster the company’s initiatives, which encompass artificial intelligence (AI), biology, quantum technology, and robotics.

Founded in 2021, AION Labs has demonstrated success in creating and scaling biotech companies. With 12 startups developed and over 22 proof of concept projects completed, the studio's model has already achieved a notable milestone with the acquisition of CombinAble.AI.

Leadership Profiles

Dr. Ilana Mandel brings over 15 years of experience in drug discovery, having previously served as CSO at Biond Biologics. Her career has been marked by the advancement of therapeutic programs from initial scientific ideas to clinical applications, including initiatives with major players like Sanofi.

As CSO at AION Labs, Mandel will be instrumental in shaping the scientific direction of the company, focusing on identifying new biological and therapeutic avenues for future startups.

Dr. Shira Warszawski, the newly appointed CTO, also boasts a rich background in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, with expertise in computational protein design. She previously held significant positions at Merck KGaA and Emendo Bio, leading teams in various biotech projects.

In her role as CTO, Warszawski will oversee the technology strategy of AION Labs, evaluating emerging technologies to facilitate the creation of platforms and companies addressing pharmaceutical R&D challenges.

A Transition Leadership Role

This leadership change also marks an important transition for Dr. Yair Benita, the co-founder and former CTO of AION Labs. Benita has played a crucial role in establishing the technological framework and achieving seamless integration between Israel’s scientific community and the global pharma industry.

Benita will now focus on leading Phindex, a venture developed within AION that aims to create an AI-driven platform to guide biotech firms through drug development stages.

Looking to the Future

Mati Gill, CEO of AION Labs, expressed enthusiasm regarding the appointment of Mandel and Warszawski, stating that their combined expertise is crucial as AION extends its focus beyond AI to other transformative technologies such as quantum science, robotics, and automation.

Additionally, veteran biotech executive Ram Waisbourd has joined AION Labs as a Venture Partner, where he will be responsible for supporting the growth and strategic initiatives of the company's portfolio. Waisbourd boasts extensive experience in the biotech sector, including significant roles at Teva Pharmaceuticals and as co-founder of 89bio.

With a strengthened leadership team and an expanded focus, AION Labs is set to continue its mission of identifying and overcoming critical pharmaceutical R&D challenges, ultimately transforming the process of drug discovery and development.