Our team
Eiríkur Steingrímsson
Co-founder, Chair of board
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Eiríkur has extensive experience in gene transcription with a specific focus on gene regulation in melanoma. He is a Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Iceland. Eiríkur completed a doctorate from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and postdoctoral training at NIH, Maryland. He is one of the founders of Akthelia Therapeutics and has served on various boards and review panels.
Margrét Helga Ögmundsdóttir
Co-founder, board member, CEO
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Margrét has investigated the process of autophagy in development and disease with a particular focus on cancer. Margrét completed a doctorate from Oxford University and is a Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Iceland. In addition to running a laboratory she has served on various boards and been active in policy making at institutional and governmental level.
Steingrímur Stefánsson
Co-founder, board member, CTO
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Steingrímur (Stenni) is a protein chemist with a doctorate from Medical College of Virginia (VCU) and postdoctoral training from SUNY Stony Brook, New York. Stenni has worked for various institutes and corporations in the US for over 30 years where he honed his skills in protein purification and assay development.
Valerie Helene Maier
Board member
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Valerie joined the board in 2022. She has a doctorate in cell biology and extensive experience in different molecular biology areas and techniques. Valerie is German having lived in Iceland for many years and sits on the board of several organisations, including a German family company. She has for the last years invested in different start-up companies, including in the health and pharma sector.
Klara Sveinsdóttir
Chief Operational Officer (COO)
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Klara is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. She has held various leadership roles, including a C-level management position at Kerecis, where she oversaw sales, business development, manufacturing, and the product lifecycle. During her tenure, Kerecis grew from a startup to a unicorn company. Prior to this, Klara gained valuable experience in Iceland’s pharmaceutical sector, focusing on sales and marketing. She holds a master's degree in pharmacy from the University of Iceland and an MBA from the University of Reykjavík.
Laura Lorenzo-Soler
Senior Scientist
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Laura completed her doctorate in drug delivery following topical administration from the University of Iceland. She has previously participated in projects involving genetic engineering and enzymatic activity and has experience in the research and development of vaccines.
Clara Valls Ferré
Research Scientist
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Clara holds an MS degree in molecular and life sciences from the University of Iceland. She has experience in various biochemical techniques in diverse cell models.
Stefán Eggertsson
Research Scientist
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Stefán holds an MS degree in biology from the University of Iceland. He has experience with various biochemical techniques and methods in microscopy, as well as having worked with different organisms in both academic and applied research settings.