Paula Alves, Chief Executive Officer
Paula M. Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor at NOVA University of Lisbon. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from NOVA and her B.S in Biochemistry from the University of Lisbon. Working in Animal Cell Technology since 1990, her research integrates cell metabolism understanding with biochemical engineering for the improvement of bioprocesses efficiency, also focusing on the development of new tools and technologies for pre-clinical research. Her key areas of interest include the production of biopharmaceuticals such as viral vectors and vaccines, and the development of 3D culture systems for expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors for cell therapy, regenerative medicine and in vitro toxicology applications.
Professor Paula Alves was elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering in 2021 and was the Chairperson of the ESACT (European Society for Animal Cell Technology) from 2017 to June 2022. She serves several international scientific advisory boards. At the European Commission was member of IMI and EURL-ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee and of the Advisory Board of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge. She has published over 280 papers, 32 book chapters and has supervised 38 PhD students, 18 post-docs and several master theses. In 2009 she received the Scientific Merit Award from NOVA University of Lisbon, in 2021 the Gold medal of Oeiras Town.
Manuel Carrondo, Vice-President for Business Development
Manuel Carrondo is Full Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology at NOVA University of Lisbon (retired).
He has extensive management experience in the biotechnology sector and is iBET’s vice-president for Business Development. His key areas of interest include (i) Animal Cell Technology and its application for human and animal health, (ii) therapeutic and diagnostic recombinant proteins, including fusion proteins, (iii) virus-like particles and pseudo viruses as vaccination agents and viruses (retro-, adeno-, lenti-) as deliverables for gene therapy, (iv) cell therapies and stem cells and (v) cGMP pilot plant scale-up and production development of biopharmaceuticals. Professor Manuel Carrondo has been Advisory Board Member of CEVEC Pharmaceuticals, PBS Biotech, CNIC (Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research Carlos III), Masthercells (Manufacturing Synergies for Therapeutic Cells), Alloksys Life Sciences BV, IBMT (Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering), Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg, KGI-Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California and GenIbet Biopharmaceuticals, Portugal.
He was also the Portuguese representative to the Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies of OECD (2014-2018) and chairman of European Society of Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) from 1997-2001, currently honorary member. Manuel Carrondo was a Visiting Professor at Carnegie-Mellon University (1981), Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT (1988), Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung (1989 and 1993).
In 2021, he was distinguished with the Cell Culture Engineering Award by Engineering Conferences International (ECI), which recognized Manuel Carrondo’s efforts to create and develop iBET and the field of cell culture engineering in Portugal, since 1989.
Manuel Carrondo is currently a SAB member of GeneCellNano Flagship Programme, Finland.
He has published over 250 papers, 22 book chapters and supervised 35 PhD students.
António Rodrigues, Chief Financial Officer
António Rodrigues is the CFO of iBET with the responsibility for the Shared Services Division, which includes the areas of Finance, Projects and Controlling, Information Technology and Administrative Services. He is graduated in Administration and Business Management by Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Post Graduated in Business and Financial Controlling and Post Graduated in Tax and Accounting, both, by ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management. Chief Financial Officer with over 20 years of experience in Financial/Management positions and roles, in different business areas such as aviation, media, SSC and leisure travel, always reporting directly to Shareholders and / or Board of Directors. Large experience in fast-paced, but highly regulated businesses. Used to support multiple operations worldwide, with Portugal as base.
José Brito Ribeiro, Advisor to the Executive Committee
José Brito Ribeiro has over 43 years of experience in people and team management. Brito Ribeiro is an expert in the optimization of organizational processes. Along his career Brito Ribeiro has coordinated procurement and shared service centers. He has previously collaborated with CUF, Sociedade Nacional de Sabões, ANA (aeroportos e navegação aérea), Nutrinveste/Sovena Group and Sociedade Ponto Verde.