Management Team
Thierry Nivaggioli, PhD
CEO
Thierry is an industry leader in the development of ocular biotech and drug delivery. Previously, he was the lead of biologic drug delivery at Genentech/Roche, where he co-developed Susvimo (a long-acting, refillable implant designed to deliver ranibizumab for the treatment of wet AMD and DME). He also co-developed Ozurdex (the first biodegradable implant approved for the treatment of DME and uveitis) at Oculex/Allergan, and was a co-founder of Macusight.
Molly Shoichet, PhD, O.C., O.Ont, FRS
CSO & Co-Founder
Molly is a leading expert in the development of polymers for drug delivery and tissue regeneration. She is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the National Academy of Engineering, an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Winner of the Herzberg Gold Medal (Canada’s highest award in science), the 1st person inducted into all 3 of Canada’s National Academies, and a co-founder of 4 biotech startups.
Robert Devenyi, MD, FACS, FRCSC
CMO & Co-Founder
Robert is a world-renowned ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Toronto Western Hospital. He is a Clinician Investigator in the Surgical Retina Clinic at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute (University Health Network), and was previously the Ophthalmologist-in-chief of the Institute. He is also a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto.
Adam Forman, PhD
Director, R&D
Adam is a multi-disciplinary researcher with expertise in chemisty, biomaterial engineering, and ocular research. He leads Synakis' R&D activities, including pre-clinical development of Synakis’ ocular biomaterial SNK-125, and oversees pipeline research. Previously, he obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in The Shoichet Lab, during which he completed proof-of-concept research and early-stage development of SNK-125.
Jonathan Labriola, PhD
Director, Operations
Jonathan is a biochemist and protein engineer with 10+ years of research experience. He leads Synakis’ operational and regulatory activities. Previously, he obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from McGill University.
Board of Directors
In addition to Thierry Nivaggioli and Molly Shoichet, Synakis’ Board of Directors consists of:
Jake Krembil, MBA
Jake is the Vice President at Chiefswood Private Capital Inc. He is an executive, entrepreneur, investor, and board director with 6+ years of experience building and scaling ventures at the intersection of science, business, and innovation. He brings a track record across business development, operational leadership, fundraising, and complex deal-making, guiding teams from concept to commercialization.
Ido Kaminsky, MSc
Ido is the Director, Technology and Venture Development at Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP). Previously, he served as the Director of Business Analysis at FutuRx. He also spent several years with RM Global Partners, and before that, he was an Analyst at the Frankel Group.
Schalon Newton, DBA
Schalon is the Vice Chair of the Board of Immune Boost Capital. He is a global life sciences executive and board advisor with more than four decades of leadership experience across ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, and healthcare commercialization. He brings extensive expertise in corporate strategy, business development, licensing, capital formation, commercialization, and global expansion. Previously, he has held senior leadership positions at Trefoil Therapeutics, Santen, and Allergan.
Advisory Team
Michael Gottlieb, CPA
Business Advisor
Michael is a biotech CEO and commercial pharma leader, with clinical development and startup expertise.
Steve Carlson, MBA
Business Advisor
Steve is the former CEO of Obagi, and Allergan’s global general manager for BOTOX.
Peng Yan, MD, FRCSC
Clinical Advisor
Peng is an ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Kensington Eye Institute and a Clinician Investigator in the Surgical Retina Clinic at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute (University Health Network). He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto.
Alexander Baker, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Dalhousie University. He is a co-inventor of Synakis’ ocular biomaterial SNK-125 and an expert in synthetic biology, protein and biomaterial engineering.