Prof. Benita has acquired decades of experience as well as proven commercial success in nanoparticle research. His most recent initiatives include the development of Ikervis^TM, a revolutionary treatment for dry eye syndrome (DES) that was acquired and launched by Santen in 2015 and is now an established market leader in Europe.

Prof. Benita’s research focuses on new microparticulate and nanoparticulate targetable drug delivery systems (microspheres, microcapsules, nanoparticles, nanocapsules), and the design of antibody-emulsion or nanoparticle conjugates and modified nano-emulsions. He is the author of 159 original articles and review articles, 20 book chapters, and 35 patents and patent applications. Prof. Benita received full professorship at the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1994 and from 2010-2014 served as the Head of the School.Prof. Benita has accumulated decades of experience as well as proven commercial success in nanoparticle research. The most recent includes the development of Ikervis^TM, a revolutionary treatment for dry eye syndrome (DES) that was acquired and launched by Santen in 2015 and is now an established market leader in Europe.

Prof. Benita’s research focuses on new microparticulate and nanoparticulate targetable drug delivery systems (microspheres, microcapsules, nanoparticles, nanocapsules), and the design of antibody-emulsion or nanoparticle conjugates and modified nano-emulsions. He is author of 159 original articles and review articles, 20 book chapters, and 35 patents and patent applications. Prof. Benita received full professorship at the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1994 and from 2010-2014 served as the Head of the School.

Mr. I. Steven Edelson, is the founder of The Mercantile Companies Inc. and IFG Development Group LLC and co-founder of IFG LLC. Mr. Edelson has overseen private equity funds as a principal of The Mercantile Capital Group. Mr. Edelson is an active investor in private placements, mezzanine investments, buyouts, and bridge and project financing. One of these investments was the private company Advanced Medicine, which later transformed into Theravance Biopharma, a public company currently trading on NASDAQ.

He has also been involved in public offerings and managing public companies. One of these companies, NASDAQ-listed Service Acquisition Corp, purchased Jamba Juice in 2006 when Mr. Edelson was Vice Chairman. Mr. Edelson is currently a Board Member of Lawson Products Inc., which is traded on NASDAQ. Mr. Edelson is a 2005 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He sits on the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is a Trustee of the Harry S. Truman Institute for Peace. Mr. Edelson is a graduate of Roosevelt University.

Mrs. Joelle Aflalo is the Founding Member, CEO, and Managing Director of Gestman SA and Founding Member of Cofidom-Gestman Sàrl. These companies established in Luxembourg specialize in high-value and high-level corporate structuring and investment engineering. Mrs. Aflalo skills and her professionalism have facilitated the rapid growth of several high-profile companies. She holds a B.Sc. from the University Mohamed v in Rabat, Morocco, in Biology-Geology. Mrs. Aflalo is also the Founding Member and President of Matanel Foundation and Board Member of various charitable foundations and numerous large companies. She is considered a major influence in the financial industry in Luxembourg and other financial centers.

Dr. Amar earned her Ph.D. at the Faculty of Life Science, Bar-Ilan University, and completed post-doctoral studies at the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She holds a BSc and MSc from the Faculty of Biology at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, as well as an MA in Law from Bar-Ilan University. ​Since graduating, she has held a few management positions in the Biomed and Pharma Industries. Dr. Amar established and managed the research and development authority at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, served as the manager of ShizimXL medical devices accelerator and as global medical marketing manager for Panaxia pharmaceutical industries. Currently, Dr. Amar serves as the VP Business Development, Healthcare at Yissum- the Tech Transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.