Management
Board of Directors
Clinical Advisors
Management
Vanessa Waddell
BSc (Hons) MBA GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa Waddell
BSc (Hons) MBA GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa is an executive manager with 20 years’ experience in commercialization of pharmaceuticals, biological products, and medical devices. Vanessa joined PolyActiva in 2017 as Head of Commercial Operations and Business Development and was appointed CEO in August 2022. Vanessa has held executive management roles in private and publicly listed biotechnology companies across core business competencies including general management, business development, IP management, project management (preclinical and clinical), capital raising and finance. Prior to joining PolyActiva Vanessa held positions with Starpharma Pty. Ltd., Inner Maven Pty. Ltd., Prima Biomed Ltd., Velacor Therapeutics, and Pathway Therapeutics. Vanessa has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Sydney, an MBA (Brookes Scholar) from Deakin University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa is an executive manager with 20 years’ experience in commercialization of pharmaceuticals, biological products, and medical devices. Vanessa joined PolyActiva in 2017 as Head of Commercial Operations and Business Development and was appointed CEO in August 2022. Vanessa has held executive management roles in private and publicly listed biotechnology companies across core business competencies including general management, business development, IP management, project management (preclinical and clinical), capital raising and finance. Prior to joining PolyActiva Vanessa held positions with Starpharma Pty. Ltd., Inner Maven Pty. Ltd., Prima Biomed Ltd., Velacor Therapeutics, and Pathway Therapeutics. Vanessa has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Sydney, an MBA (Brookes Scholar) from Deakin University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Sushanta Mallick
PhD MBA MPharm
SVP Clinical Development
SVP Clinical Development
Dr Sushanta Mallick
PhD MBA MPharm
SVP Clinical Development
Sushanta Mallick, PhD MBA brings 30 years of experience in ophthalmology research and development, with over a decade in senior leadership roles in companies spanning the US, Canada, and Europe. Prior to joining PolyActiva, Dr Mallick was the Chief Development Officer at ONL Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on Fas-mediated signaling, implicated in a variety of retinal diseases including glaucoma. Sushanta started his professional career at Alcon Research Ltd. in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over 19 years that resulted in several product approvals in glaucoma. He was Vice President of R&D at QLT Inc. in Vancouver leading a key development project in Inherited Retinal Disorders, and Vice President and Global Development Lead at Shire/Takeda focusing on infectious conjunctivitis. As Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Nicox Ophthalmics, an international ophthalmology company headquartered in Nice, France, Sushanta led the development program for two Phase 3 clinical trials in the US and China for its lead compound in glaucoma. Dr Mallick has a MPharm in Pharmaceutics, PhD in Biochemistry, and MBA in Marketing and International Management.
SVP Clinical Development
Sushanta Mallick, PhD MBA brings 30 years of experience in ophthalmology research and development, with over a decade in senior leadership roles in companies spanning the US, Canada, and Europe. Prior to joining PolyActiva, Dr Mallick was the Chief Development Officer at ONL Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on Fas-mediated signaling, implicated in a variety of retinal diseases including glaucoma. Sushanta started his professional career at Alcon Research Ltd. in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over 19 years that resulted in several product approvals in glaucoma. He was Vice President of R&D at QLT Inc. in Vancouver leading a key development project in Inherited Retinal Disorders, and Vice President and Global Development Lead at Shire/Takeda focusing on infectious conjunctivitis. As Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Nicox Ophthalmics, an international ophthalmology company headquartered in Nice, France, Sushanta led the development program for two Phase 3 clinical trials in the US and China for its lead compound in glaucoma. Dr Mallick has a MPharm in Pharmaceutics, PhD in Biochemistry, and MBA in Marketing and International Management.
Dr Justine Walter
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs
Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs
Dr Justine Walter
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs
Justine joined PolyActiva as Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs in 2019 and is responsible for the management of CMC activities for PolyActiva’s drug delivery products in development. Justine has 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing. She has experience with process development, GMP manufacture, analytical chemistry and leadership of cross-functional teams to deliver product for clinical development. Prior to joining PolyActiva, Justine held positions as Operations Manager at Boron Molecular and Project Leader at IDT Australia. Justine has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Melbourne.
Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs
Justine joined PolyActiva as Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs in 2019 and is responsible for the management of CMC activities for PolyActiva’s drug delivery products in development. Justine has 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing. She has experience with process development, GMP manufacture, analytical chemistry and leadership of cross-functional teams to deliver product for clinical development. Prior to joining PolyActiva, Justine held positions as Operations Manager at Boron Molecular and Project Leader at IDT Australia. Justine has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Melbourne.
MaryJane Rafii
PhD MBA
SVP Corporate Development
SVP Corporate Development
MaryJane Rafii
PhD MBA
SVP Corporate Development
MaryJane is a seasoned executive and a deal maker with more than 25 years of industry experience in BD, B&D, and VC investment. She is an independent strategic and BD advisor helping biotech/startups reach their partnering goal globally and in cross-border transactions with Asia. MaryJane served as Senior Vice President of AffaMed Therapeutics, a leading venture-backed CNS and ophthalmology biotech in China, leading the strategy and partnering efforts to build up its robust pipeline. MaryJane has a proven track record in successfully developing and implementing new business strategies and partnering solutions. MaryJane has also held various roles within business and corporate development in the industry and corporate and private ventures. She was Chief Executive for ASTA Pharma (Japan), and served as CBO for Fovea Pharma and Bioenvision. She received her MBA from INSEAD in France and her PhD from Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She conducted her postdoctoral work at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She obtained her master’s degree from UCSF and her BS in molecular biology from the University of Southern California.
SVP Corporate Development
MaryJane is a seasoned executive and a deal maker with more than 25 years of industry experience in BD, B&D, and VC investment. She is an independent strategic and BD advisor helping biotech/startups reach their partnering goal globally and in cross-border transactions with Asia. MaryJane served as Senior Vice President of AffaMed Therapeutics, a leading venture-backed CNS and ophthalmology biotech in China, leading the strategy and partnering efforts to build up its robust pipeline. MaryJane has a proven track record in successfully developing and implementing new business strategies and partnering solutions. MaryJane has also held various roles within business and corporate development in the industry and corporate and private ventures. She was Chief Executive for ASTA Pharma (Japan), and served as CBO for Fovea Pharma and Bioenvision. She received her MBA from INSEAD in France and her PhD from Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She conducted her postdoctoral work at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She obtained her master’s degree from UCSF and her BS in molecular biology from the University of Southern California.
Dr Andrew Donohue
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP
Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP
Dr Andrew Donohue
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP
Andrew is a medicinal chemist with over 20 years’ experience within the drug discovery, biotechnology and pharmaceutical field with an established record as a team leader. He joined PolyActiva in 2010 and as the Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP he oversees the team responsible for the innovation, optimization, development and manufacture of the company’s proprietary drug-monomer conjugates and co-monomers. Prior to joining PolyActiva Andrew held positions at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and Cytopia working on modulators of protein-protein interactions and small molecule inhibitors of inflammation and cancer. He is an inventor on five of the PolyActiva patent families and is a co-inventor on the patent for the drug Momelotinib, for the treatment of myelofibrosis. Andrew has a BSc (Hons) and PhD in organic chemistry from Monash University, Australia and completed post-doctoral research at CSIRO Molecular Science and the Dyson-Perrins Laboratory at the University of Oxford.
Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP
Andrew is a medicinal chemist with over 20 years’ experience within the drug discovery, biotechnology and pharmaceutical field with an established record as a team leader. He joined PolyActiva in 2010 and as the Head of Chemistry, Pipeline Innovation and IP he oversees the team responsible for the innovation, optimization, development and manufacture of the company’s proprietary drug-monomer conjugates and co-monomers. Prior to joining PolyActiva Andrew held positions at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and Cytopia working on modulators of protein-protein interactions and small molecule inhibitors of inflammation and cancer. He is an inventor on five of the PolyActiva patent families and is a co-inventor on the patent for the drug Momelotinib, for the treatment of myelofibrosis. Andrew has a BSc (Hons) and PhD in organic chemistry from Monash University, Australia and completed post-doctoral research at CSIRO Molecular Science and the Dyson-Perrins Laboratory at the University of Oxford.
Dr Caitlin Gladman
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Commercial Operations
Head of Commercial Operations
Dr Caitlin Gladman
BSc (Hons) PhD
Head of Commercial Operations
Caitlin is a biotechnology professional with greater than 15 years’ experience leading strategic development and operational implementation in the scientific, biotech and commercial services sectors. Caitlin joined PolyActiva as Head of Commercial Operations in 2022 and is responsible for operational management, finance and HR. Caitlin has comprehensive expertise spanning operations, governance, commercialisation, business development, project management and finance from their prior senior roles at 360biolabs Pty. Ltd., Certara Inc., and Biota Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, amongst others. Caitlin has experience in the management of diverse stakeholder interests across biotechnology, commercial drug design and development, clinical trial service providers, healthcare, medical, and primary research and academic settings from preclinical discovery to Phase III clinical development. Caitlin has a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Melbourne.
Head of Commercial Operations
Caitlin is a biotechnology professional with greater than 15 years’ experience leading strategic development and operational implementation in the scientific, biotech and commercial services sectors. Caitlin joined PolyActiva as Head of Commercial Operations in 2022 and is responsible for operational management, finance and HR. Caitlin has comprehensive expertise spanning operations, governance, commercialisation, business development, project management and finance from their prior senior roles at 360biolabs Pty. Ltd., Certara Inc., and Biota Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, amongst others. Caitlin has experience in the management of diverse stakeholder interests across biotechnology, commercial drug design and development, clinical trial service providers, healthcare, medical, and primary research and academic settings from preclinical discovery to Phase III clinical development. Caitlin has a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Melbourne.
Board of Directors
Dr Chris Nave
PhD MAICD
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Dr Chris Nave
PhD MAICD
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Chris Nave has been a director since January 2011. He is a founding partner of Brandon Capital Partners and CEO of the Medical Research Commercialization Fund. Chris has experience in the management, fundraising, and successful spinouts of various companies in the life sciences industry. He previously was Director of Commercialization at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. Prior to this, Chris was Manager of the Biotechnology Team at Melbourne Ventures, the commercialization company of the University of Melbourne. Concurrently he was an Investment Manager for, and on the investment committee of, Uniseed Pty Ltd. Chris has international experience working for the Business Development group of Leiras Pharmaceuticals in Finland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Schering AG. Chris is currently a Director of Azura Ophthalmics, Certa Therapeutics, EBR Systems, Global Kinetics Corporation, OccuRx, Osprey Medical, PolyActiva and Que Oncology. Chris has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PhD in Endocrinology and Physiology from the University of Melbourne.
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Chris Nave has been a director since January 2011. He is a founding partner of Brandon Capital Partners and CEO of the Medical Research Commercialization Fund. Chris has experience in the management, fundraising, and successful spinouts of various companies in the life sciences industry. He previously was Director of Commercialization at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. Prior to this, Chris was Manager of the Biotechnology Team at Melbourne Ventures, the commercialization company of the University of Melbourne. Concurrently he was an Investment Manager for, and on the investment committee of, Uniseed Pty Ltd. Chris has international experience working for the Business Development group of Leiras Pharmaceuticals in Finland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Schering AG. Chris is currently a Director of Azura Ophthalmics, Certa Therapeutics, EBR Systems, Global Kinetics Corporation, OccuRx, Osprey Medical, PolyActiva and Que Oncology. Chris has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PhD in Endocrinology and Physiology from the University of Melbourne.
Prof. Barrie Finnin
BPharm PhD PhC
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Prof. Barrie Finnin
BPharm PhD PhC
Non-Executive Director
Barrie Finnin has been a director since 2011. He was previously a founder and Director of the listed drug delivery company Acrux. He held the personal Chair in Formulation Science in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia. Barrie has more than 15 years’ experience in the management of commercially funded research in an academic setting. He has conducted projects at various phases of drug development and manufacture for major pharmaceutical companies, and was responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of a GMP manufacturing facility. Barrie was responsible for the preparation of successful applications for the approval of over 20 pharmaceutical products by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). He also served as an external evaluator of new drug applications for the TGA.
Non-Executive Director
Barrie Finnin has been a director since 2011. He was previously a founder and Director of the listed drug delivery company Acrux. He held the personal Chair in Formulation Science in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia. Barrie has more than 15 years’ experience in the management of commercially funded research in an academic setting. He has conducted projects at various phases of drug development and manufacture for major pharmaceutical companies, and was responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of a GMP manufacturing facility. Barrie was responsible for the preparation of successful applications for the approval of over 20 pharmaceutical products by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). He also served as an external evaluator of new drug applications for the TGA.
Tracy Valorie
BSc MBA
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Tracy Valorie
BSc MBA
Non-Executive Director
Tracy Valorie is a strategic business consultant and the owner of TMV Associates LLC since July 2019. Tracy has 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Tracy served as the senior vice president, general manager of the U.S. pharmaceutical and surgical businesses at Bausch + Lomb (July 2012 to May 2019). Prior to joining B+L in 2012, Ms Valorie served as commercial lead of ophthalmology at Pfizer Inc. where she had global responsibility for the ophthalmology brands as well as responsibility for long-range strategic planning of the portfolio. In addition to PolyActiva, Ms Valorie currently is a strategic advisor to Myra Vision and Atia Vision and she sits on the boards of Samsara Vision and Visus Therapeutics. She previously sat on the board of Layer Bio. She currently sits on the board of the Glaucoma Research Foundation and from the Fall of 2014 to Fall of 2018 she served as a member of the board of Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL). Ms Valorie holds a Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT.
Non-Executive Director
Tracy Valorie is a strategic business consultant and the owner of TMV Associates LLC since July 2019. Tracy has 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Tracy served as the senior vice president, general manager of the U.S. pharmaceutical and surgical businesses at Bausch + Lomb (July 2012 to May 2019). Prior to joining B+L in 2012, Ms Valorie served as commercial lead of ophthalmology at Pfizer Inc. where she had global responsibility for the ophthalmology brands as well as responsibility for long-range strategic planning of the portfolio. In addition to PolyActiva, Ms Valorie currently is a strategic advisor to Myra Vision and Atia Vision and she sits on the boards of Samsara Vision and Visus Therapeutics. She previously sat on the board of Layer Bio. She currently sits on the board of the Glaucoma Research Foundation and from the Fall of 2014 to Fall of 2018 she served as a member of the board of Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL). Ms Valorie holds a Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT.
Clinton Snow
BEng (Hons) BCom
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Clinton Snow
BEng (Hons) BCom
Non-Executive Director
Clinton Snow has nearly 20 years experience as a technology leader with a focus in engineering management, project delivery, risk management, and assurance. Clinton is currently a non-executive director for Icetana Ltd and Dimerix Ltd, and provides advisory services to a family office with multiple Australian biotech investments. Clinton holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Melbourne.
Non-Executive Director
Clinton Snow has nearly 20 years experience as a technology leader with a focus in engineering management, project delivery, risk management, and assurance. Clinton is currently a non-executive director for Icetana Ltd and Dimerix Ltd, and provides advisory services to a family office with multiple Australian biotech investments. Clinton holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Melbourne.
Clinical Advisors