Our Team

EXECUTIVE TEAM

ILAN SOBEL

ILAN SOBEL

CEO

Ilan Sobel has been the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences since July 2020. Ilan has brought the company’s first product, VINIA, to North America, building a direct-to-consumer machine that is now generating significant revenues. VINIA’s go-to-market success has established a template for the company’s near-term product pipeline of nutraceutical plant cell banks.  In addition to commercial focus and planning, Ilan has scaled production capabilities from R+D up to industrial levels, and is building a biotech company with novel, and even patentable plant-based products that are based on science and backed by clinical trials.. Prior to BioHarvest, Ilan served for 6 years at Weissbeerger, as both Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Commercial Officer. In this capacity, Ilan played a major leadership role in building a disruptive BIG Data, IOT & Software Company servicing major Beverage players which was ultimately purchased by Anheuser Busch InBev. Previously, Ilan served an 18 year stint as an International Employee of The Coca-Cola Company, where he played a pivotal role in key senior leadership positions generating significant revenue and profit growth and improving brand health trends across diverse global markets including the United States, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and South Africa. 

Yochi Hagay

Dr. Yochi Hagay

CTO

Dr. Yochi Hagay, Ph.D., is the company’s CTO and CTO of BioHarvest Ltd and formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of BioHarvest. She has an extensive experience in leading research and development in the pharmaceutical and bio-tech industry. Prior to co-founding BioHarvest in 2005, Ms. Hagay served as the Managing Partner at Zaki Rakib’s Bio-Tech Capital Venture. During that time, she evaluated a large number of scientific research projects and bio-tech companies. Ms. Hagay has served in various positions in BTG for 15 years, until it was acquired by Savient. In her most recent role at Savient (2002-2005), she supervised the company’s clinical studies. Ms. Hagay holds a PhD in biotechnology from Hebrew University (2004).

Zaki Rakib

Dr. Zaki Rakib

Chairman Of The Board

Dr. Zaki Rakib, Ph.D., serves as Chairman of BioHarvest and President of the Botanical Synthesis CDMO Business Unit.. He has extensive experience within the software, telecommunications hardware, semiconductors, cellular operations and bioscience categories, where he has spearheaded the development of multiple cutting-edge innovations. Leveraging his foundation in technical sciences, Dr. Rakib was one of the first leaders in the telecommunications industry after the company he co-founded Terayon Communication Systems, invented the first cable modem, and S-CDMA technology. Dr. Rakib holds a Bachelor of Science (1978), a Master of Science (1981), and a Ph.D. degree in Engineering (1984) from Ben-Gurion University in Israel.

Ilana Belzer

Dr. Ilana Belzer

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Belzer brings extensive leadership experience and technical knowledge to this role. She previously served as the COO of CollPlant Biotechnologies, a NASDAQ-listed regenerative and aesthetics medicine company and biotech innovator based in Israel. At Collplant, Dr. Belzer was responsible for the entire company’s operations, including two production facilities, process and infrastructure engineering, supply chain, maintenance, and analytical and quality control. Prior to moving to CollPlant, Dr. Belzer served as COO at BioHarvest Ltd. from 2012 to 2015. Dr. Belzer received her Ph.D. in 1990 at the Tel Aviv University faculty of Life Sciences, Microbiology and Cell Biology.

Malkit Azachi

Dr. Malkit Azachi

VP R&D

Dr. Azachi brings nearly 20 years of experience in biochemistry, genetic engineering, tissue culture, molecular biology, and clinical & pre-clinical trials. Prior to BioHarvest, Dr. Azachi served as technology Director at HealOrLtd, a Biopharmaceutical company developing topical therapeutics. Prior to that, Dr. Azachi lead product development at the research and development department of ColbarLifeScience, a Johnson & Johnson Company. Before that Dr.Azachi lead cartilage regeneration product and bone substitute development for Prochon Biotech; and immunotherapy related development for Omrix Biopharmaceuticals -acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Azachi holds a Ph.D in microbiology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Post-Doc in Molecular Biology of the cell from Weizmann Institute of Science.

Michal Sapir

Michal Sapir

VP Regulation Affairs

Michal joined BioHarvest in 2010 and brings 30 years of experience in medical device, pharma and biotechnology industries. She is responsible for the regulatory pathways & strategy for the Company, registration of Company products (food and dietary supplement), the communication with the regulatory authorities and establishment of the Company QA Systems. Before joining BioHarvest Michal served as the Director of Project Management in ColBar LifeScience Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Company (2001-2010). As part of the ColBar management team, she led complex projects in medical device development and planning and managing annual multidisciplinary work plans. Prior to that Michal gained broad experience in clinical and animal studies; she served as Affiliate Quality Coordinator & Senior Clinical Research Administrator in Eli Lilly (1995-2000). Earlier in her career she gained experience in Pharmacological and Toxicological animal studies at the Biological Research Company (1987-1995) Michal holds a Master of Science in biochemistry from Bar Ilan University.

Alan Rootenberg

Alan Rootenberg

CFO

Mr. Alan Rootenberg, the company’s CFO, is a chartered professional accountant who has served as the Chief Financial Officer of a number of publicly traded companies, listed on the TSX, TSXV, CSE and OTCBB. Alan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and received his CPA designation in Ontario, Canada. His extensive experience includes serving as Chief Financial Officer for mineral exploration, mining, technology and medical cannabis companies. Mr. Rootenberg holds a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting from University of Witwatersrand (1977), a bachelor’s degree in commerce from University of Witwatersrand (1975) and was registered as a CPA in 1980.

Justin Meiklem

Justin Meiklem

Investor Relations

Justin has worked in the cutting edge of technology and internet marketing since 2004. From 2014 to early 2020, Justin led all Marketing and Sales for Stockhouse Publishing, growing it into one of the world’s largest investment communities. That tenure culminated in the successful 2019 sale of Stockhouse.com for over $20 million. Justin brings expertise with marketing planning, shareholder acquisition, and investor communication, and he has deep connections throughout the capital markets, including the top retail investor targeted service providers in the capital markets.

Dr. Brian Cornblatt

Chief Medical Officer

In his role as Director of Consumer Clinical Research and Science and as Medical Director at Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc. Dr. Cornblatt developed novel nutraceutical formulations, designed both in vitro and clinical studies in support of products.. He has developed a novel line of products (and 18 related clinical trials) which deliver the essential ingredients needed to support the production of sulforaphane, a phytochemical with many emerging indications. Dr. Cornblatt is also the inventor of three issued patents and four pending provisional patents focused on plant-based bioactive compounds and health promotion. 

Dr. Cornblatt is a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Graduate with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Division of Toxicology. 

Board of Directors

Vivien Rakib

Vivien Rakib

Vivien Rakib, the company’s Director, has served as a director of BioHarvest since 2007. Ms. Rakib worked in software development in Silicon Valley for 18 years. She is currently an active technology start-up investor and serves on several NGO board of directors. Ms. Rakib holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Ben Gurion University in Israel.

David Ryan

David Ryan

Mr. David Ryan the company’s President, Secretary and Director VP of Investor Relations, has extensive experience in investment and public markets. For the past 20 years, he has been part of in bringing multiple initial public offerings to market. He has helped raise both equity and debt financings for numerous public companies in both primary and secondary financings as well as served on the board of public companies and in various roles from president to director. Mr. Ryan is a member of the company’s Audit Committee.

Jake Fiddick

Jake Fiddick

Mr. Jake Fiddick, the company’s Director, founded the “Public Company Banking Group” for Bank of Montreal (“BMO”) in 1984 and was part of a tight-knit 15-person team specializing in servicing public companies. He retired in August 2017. During his 58 years with BMO he obtained his real estate license, and broker’s license. Mr. Fiddick is a member of the company’s Audit Committee.

Zaki Rakib

Zaki Rakib

Dr. Zaki Rakib, Ph.D., serves as Chairman of BioHarvest. He has extensive experience within the software, telecommunications hardware, semiconductors, cellular operations and bioscience categories, where he has spearheaded the development of multiple cutting-edge innovations. Leveraging his foundation in technical sciences, Dr. Rakib was one of the first leaders in the telecommunications industry after the company he co-founded Terayon Communication Systems, invented the first cable modem, and S-CDMA technology. Dr. Rakib holds a Bachelor of Science (1978), a Master of Science (1981), and a Ph.D. degree in Engineering (1984) from Ben-Gurion University in Israel.

David Tsur

David Tsur

Mr. Tsur is the co-founder of Kamada Ltd, a public company listed on both the NASDAQ and Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. He served as its Chief Executive Officer and on its Board of directors since the Company’s inception in 1990. He currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

Advisory Board

Steven Lehrer

Steven Lehrer

Biotech Leader

Steven currently sits on the Board of Directors of two life science companies, one not for profit, and is a member of the University of Maryland’s Bioengineering Department Advisory Board. He provides strategy and implementation advice to several organizations on various topics from commercial efforts through operations, business development, product development, portfolio planning to the establishment of international operations. Previously Steve was Head of Biologicals at Cipla Ltd., CEO of Cipla BioTec, President of Glycominds Ltd, EVP of Adamas Pharmaceuticals Inc., CEO of GeneOs Ltd, CEO at DNA Sciences, and was a division President of Monsanto. Steven also worked with McKinsey & Co., and Proctor & Gamble Corporation.

Gavriel Lambert

Gavriel Lambert

Investment Banking Veteran

Gavriel is Head of Consumer Retail Group, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Co-Head of Global Retail for Jefferies Group. Prior to this, he headed the EMEA Consumer Retail Group for Barclays Plc. He has been involved in several dozens of significant M&A and financing transactions. Prior to joining Barclays in 2013, his extensive career (that started in 1995) included holding senior investment banking positions at Solomon Smith Barney, J.P. Morgan and UBS Securities. Gavriel holds a Master’s degree (MBA) in finance from the Columbia Business School and a BSc Honors in Psychology from the London School of Economics. 

DR RHONA APPLEBAUM

Dr. RHONA APPLEBAUM

Regulatory and Scientific Affairs

Dr. Rhona Applebaum, Ph.D., is a widely recognized and experienced leaderServing most recently as the Coca-Cola Company first Chief Science and Health Officer, Rhona developed and executed the Company’s global health and well-being strategy. Previously Rhona was executive VP and Chief Science Officer for the National Food Processors Association (NFPA).  Rhona has held numerous high-level public assignments, with service on the US Department of State’s Advisory Committee on International and Economic Policy, CDC Foundation’s Roundtable on Global Health Threats, the Harvard Medical School Global Health Advisory Council, Center for Strategic & International Studies Commission on Smart Global Health Policy and various Advisory Boards for the USFDA and USDA. She received her Master’s degree in nutrition and food sciences from Drexel University, and a Ph.D. in food microbiology and food safety from the University of Wisconsin. 

SCOTT MCCUNE

Consumer Marketing

Scott is the founder of McCune Sports & Entertainment Ventures (“MS&EV”). Prior to founding MS&EV, Scott had a successful 30-year career with the Coca-Cola Company and Anheuser-Busch Inc. Scott and his teams negotiated more than US$3B in transactions and transformed the way Coca-Cola leverages strategic partnerships, such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, into global platforms that drove Coca-Cola’s business around the world. Scott led global marketing and operations for Coca-Cola at eight Olympic Games, four FIFA World Cups, European Football Championships, Rugby World Cups, the NBA and global entertainment properties. 

CHRIS HADFIELD

Space and Aeronautics

The Canadian-born reserve colonel is an astronaut, engineer, and RCAF pilot who has flown 3 space missions, done 2 spacewalks, and commanded the International Space Station. He was named the top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and served as NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia. Hadfield is an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo, an adviser to SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, and chair of the board of the Open Lunar Foundation. He also leads the Space stream at the Creative Destruction Lab tech incubator, and is co-creator and host of TV series on BBC and National Geographic, as well as a 4-time internationally best-selling author. 

ADV. ROBERTO CHAIT

International Law

Adv. Chait brings a wealth of experience in corporate and international trade law, intellectual property law, and cross border international transactions. He has represented major global clients across highly relevant industries for the Company including the Food and Beverage, Food Tech, and International Media industries. He has a Masters’ degree from the London School of Economics (LL.M.) specializing in International Business Law with an emphasis on International Financing and International Trade. Upon returning to Israel, he worked for several years at the office of Prof. Joseph Gross, specializing mainly in Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Securities Law. Roberto Chait was admitted to the Israeli Bar Association in 1991. He taught law at the Tel Aviv branch of the University of London and at the Haifa University.  

Scientific Advisory Board

DR DAVID BRADY

DR DAVID BRADY

Integrative Medicine

Dr. Brady 30 years of experience as an integrative and nutritional medicine practitioner and over 25 years in health sciences academia. He is a licensed naturopathic medical physician in Connecticut and Vermont, is board certified in functional medicine and clinical nutrition, and is a fellow of the American College of Nutrition. Dr. Brady has been the Chief Medical Officer of Designs for Health, Inc. and also currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Diagnostic Solutions Labs, LLC. He was the long-time Vice President for health sciences and Director of the Human Nutrition Institute and continues to serve as an associate professor of clinical sciences, at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. He has published multiple peer-reviewed scientific papers and textbooks related to chronic pain, autoimmunity, and functional gastroenterology.  

DR. DENNIS GOODMAN

DR. DENNIS GOODMAN

Cardiologist

Dr. Goodman (M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P) brings over 40 years of relevant medical experience across multiple disciplines, including preventive cardiology. Dr. Goodman currently serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the New York School of Medicine, Professor of Medicine at the University of Cape Town, Director of Integrative Medicine and Preventive Cardiology at the New York School of Medicine. He has also authored three books focusing on the healing effects of specific ingredients such as Magnesium, Omega 3 and Vitamin K2. Dr. Goodman has participated in over 50 clinical trials and has extensive experience in providing advisory services in this highly technical area. 

Dr. Brian Cornblatt

Chief Medical Officer

In his role as Director of Consumer Clinical Research and Science and as Medical Director at Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc. Dr. Cornblatt developed novel nutraceutical formulations, designed both in vitro and clinical studies in support of products.. He has developed a novel line of products (and 18 related clinical trials) which deliver the essential ingredients needed to support the production of sulforaphane, a phytochemical with many emerging indications. Dr. Cornblatt is also the inventor of three issued patents and four pending provisional patents focused on plant-based bioactive compounds and health promotion. 

Dr. Cornblatt is a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Graduate with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Division of Toxicology. 

DR. GEORGE GARIBALDI

DR. GEORGE GARIBALDI

Psychiatrist & Neuro-Scientist

Dr. Garibaldi is co-founder and President of Research and Development of Noema Pharma AG. He previously held leadership responsibilities in research and development in several major pharmaceutical companies, most recently serving as VP and Global Head of Clinical Neuroscience at F. Hoffmann-La Roche. During his tenure at Roche, he led the development of multiple therapies including OCREVUS ® (ocrelizumab), approved in 2017 for primary progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Garibaldi developed therapies for multiple conditions including Exelon® (rivastigmine) in Alzheimer’s disease, Fanapt® (iloperidone) in schizophrenia, Risperdal Consta® (risperidone long-acting injectable) in frequently relapsing patients with bipolar disorders, and Invega® (paliperidone) in patients with schizoaffective disorder. Dr. Garibaldi earned an M.D. from the faculty of medicine of Cairo University.