Dr. Sara Cuadrado-Castaño is a leading expert in microbiology and virotherapy, with a strong background in cancer research. As the co-founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of ViroFend Therapeutics, she spearheads the company’s mission to revolutionize cancer treatment using oncolytic virotherapy — a cutting-edge approach that harnesses the power of engineered viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells.

With a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Virology, Dr. Cuadrado-Castaño has spent years conducting groundbreaking research in tumor-targeting viral therapies and is inventor on several patents related to the development of cancer therapies with different viral platforms. She has collaborated with prestigious research institutions, leading innovative studies focused on harnessing biological systems to combat cancer. Her expertise extends to oncology, immunotherapy, and translational medicine, ensuring that ViroFend remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and clinical advancement.

Before co-founding ViroFend, Dr. Cuadrado served as a professor and researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, where she worked on novel cancer treatment modalities and advanced tumor immunology research. Her passion for scientific discovery and dedication to real-world medical applications have driven her to develop breakthrough therapies that could reshape the future of oncology.

As a visionary leader, Dr. Cuadrado-Castaño is committed to bridging the gap between laboratory science and clinical application, ensuring that pioneering virotherapies can reach the patients who need them most. Under her leadership, ViroFend Therapeutics is on a mission to provide effective, targeted, and less toxic alternatives to traditional cancer treatments.

Miguel Ángel Ávila Santiago is a biotech entrepreneur, innovation leader, and researcher, with a deep commitment to advancing scientific breakthroughs in healthcare. As the Co-founder and the General Director of ViroFend Therapeutics, he is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge virotherapy treatments aimed at revolutionizing cancer care.

Born in 1983 in a small village in Salamanca, Spain, Ávila’s journey is one of resilience, ambition, and scientific passion. Overcoming early educational challenges due to dyslexia and ADHD, he became the only student in his class to reach university, ultimately earning degrees in Technical Agricultural Engineering from the University of Salamanca, along with an MBA and a Master’s in R&D Management.

His career spans over 70 European and national R&D projects, where he has played key roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture innovation. Before founding ViroFend, he served as the CEO and Co-founder of Neurofix Pharma, a biotech company pioneering neuropathic pain treatments. Under his leadership, Neurofix developed NFX88, a groundbreaking therapy for spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain, which reached Phase IIB/III clinical trials. His exceptional contributions to the biotech and pharma sector were recognized with the Cum Laude Award 2023 in the bio-health and pharma sector by the University of Salamanca Alumni Association.

Beyond his entrepreneurial and scientific ventures, Ávila has worked in various research and advisory positions, including at FEPEX (Spain’s largest fresh produce export federation), Oblanca (one of the largest meat processing companies in Castilla y León), and public institutions like TRAGSA and ITACYL, where he conducted volcanic activity inspections on Mount Teide and advanced pest control programs.

A true adventurer at heart, he has climbed over 700 mountains, including peaks in the Andes, the Caucasus, and Africa, and is a licensed ship captain. He has also competed in chess against Spain’s top-ranked players, played rugby for ADUS Salamanca, and served multiple terms as mayor of his hometown, Mozodiel de Sanchinigo. Additionally, he is an author of five books and has delivered lectures at top Spanish universities on biotech and entrepreneurship.

At ViroFend, Ávila’s vision is clear: to push the boundaries of science and create transformative cancer treatments using oncolytic virotherapy. His journey — marked by scientific breakthroughs, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of innovation — makes him a key figure in the future of biotech and oncology.