Meet the Team
Our team, a blend of professional expertise and personal passion, is unwavering in its dedication to this cause. We are committed to bringing this innovative treatment to FRDA patients within the next five years, providing a potentially life-changing solution.
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Kostas Chatzistergos
co-FOUNDER & CEO
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Nikos Ioannou
co-FOUNDER and COO
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Joshua Hare
Chairman of the BOD
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Theofilos Kolettis
Chief Medical Officer
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Krystalenia Valasaki
Vice President and Head of Manufacturing
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Vassilis Karatzias
Secretary
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Dr. Konstantinos Chatzistergos is an accomplished researcher and expert in developmental biology with extensive experience in stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and biotechnology. As an Associate Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece, Dr. Chatzistergos has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and mentoring future scientists in the field of developmental and regenerative biology. Dr Chatzistergos is a co-inventor of KosBio’s intellectual property.
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Dr. Joshua Hare is a world-renowned expert in the field of stem cell research and has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters on the subject. Dr. Hare is also a professor of medicine and director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Hare's research has focused on developing novel therapies for cardiovascular disease and heart failure, and he has been instrumental in several clinical trials. Dr Hare is a co-inventor of KosBio’s intellectual property.
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Dr. Nikolaos Ioannou is a serial entrepreneur and Angel investor in tech companies. From June 2006 until September, 2021 he was CEO of Delivery.gr, a company that he founded and became a leading player in the Greek market’s Online Food & Grocery Ordering sector and then acquired by DeliveryHero. Dr. Ioannou was also a lecturer at University of Patras, Greece and doctoral researcher at NCSR Democritus. He has 15 years entrepreneurial experience in Technology companies. Dr. Ioannou holds a BSc in Physics from University of Patras, an MSc in Information Technology and Computing from University of Patras and a PhD on Microelectronics from NCSR Democritus / University of Patras.
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Mr. Karatzias is a Legal Military Officer with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was a Senior Legal Advisor and Director/ NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Greece, and currently serves as the Legal Advisor to the Ambassador of Greece in Paris France and the Attaché de Defense. He is also Lecturer and Exercise leader at NATO School Oberammergau, NATO's premier training and education facility at the operational level. In addition, Mr. Karatzias is a founding member and president of the board of the Hellenic Friedreich’s Ataxia Association (HEFAA.org), Vice-president of the board for the Rare Diseases Greece Federation, and Member of the Board of Directors at Euro-Ataxia Federation.
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Dr. Kolettis is a world-renowned Cardiologist and a Professor in Cardiology at the University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece. Dr. Kolettis practices in the field of cardiac pacing and clinical electrophysiology. His research focuses on the pathophysiological effects of endothelin and growth hormones in heart diseases, with respect to ventricular remodeling and tachyarrhythmias. He has a special interest in medical ethics and has served as Chairman of the National Organization for Medicines Ethics Committee since 2017.
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Ms. Valasaki possesses a wealth of experience in the management and quality assurance of cGMP facilities and products. In addition to her accomplishments in academia, she has served as a Quality Assurance Officer at one of the largest privately-owned cord blood banks in Greece. In addition, as the Laboratory Manager at the University of Miami's Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute's (ISCI) cGMP facility, she played a pivotal role in numerous research projects, ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Ms. Valasaki’ s expertise extends to overseeing the product manufacturing for 27 FDA-approved clinical trials, reflecting her dedication to advancing innovative therapies and her commitment to maintaining KosBio’s rigorous regulatory compliance.