Scientific and Clinical Directors
Motti Hakim, Director of Immune-Oncology
Motti serves as Biond Director of Immune-Oncology since 2021, prior to that Motti was senior scientist at Biond since its inception and managed several pipeline projects. Motti also served as project leader at cCAM Biotherapeutics and Proteologics. Motti holds a Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science where he became an expert in protein structure, function, and engineering. Motti has vast knowledge and proficiency in development of immune modulating drugs, from a scientific concept to a clinical stage therapeutic product
Natalia Ashtamker, Director of Clinical Development
Natalia serves as Biond’s Director of Clinical Development since April 2023. She has over 15 years of drug development experience and treatment of neurological diseases and other diseases. Natalia joined Biond from BOL Pharma where she was Head of Clinical Development, leading pharmaceutical development of cannabinoid-based drug products for various indications. Prior to BOL Pharma, she served as the Medical Director at Intec Pharma responsible for leading all their clinical phase projects. Prior to joining Intec Pharma, she was the Director and Clinical Program Leader at Teva Pharmaceuticals for COPAXONE®, a medication used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS),. Natalia earned her M.D from the Faculty of Medicine, St. Petersburg Pavlov Medical University, Russia
Tali Kizhner, Director of Intracellular Programs
Tali serves as Biond’s Director of Intracellular Programs since 2021. She has over 15 years of diverse R&D and CMC experience in development of therapeutic proteins and dietary supplements. Tali joined Biond from International Fragrance and Flavors (IFF), where she was R&D Director, leading local and global activities in the field of dietary supplements and functional foods. Prior to IFF, at Protalix Biotherapeutics Tali played a pivotal role in research and development of several biologics, including approved by EMEA and FDA pegunigalsidase alfa for Fabry disease.
Tali holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Food Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology