About Us - Roca Therapeutics

Our Team

Leadership and Operational

Decades of diversified and complementary R&D and drug development expertise

Zaki Sellam, PhD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Zaki Sellam is an experienced C-level biotech executive, with over two decades of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology drug discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, biotech startups, and fostering strategic alliances between prominent pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. Mr. Sellam has raised approximately $100 million in equity financing in this sector. In addition to his role as CEO of Landmark BioVentures AG, he also serves as Executive Chairman to each of LBV Nexus companies.

Previously, Mr. Sellam was Founder and CEO of Avicenna Oncology GmbH, an Antibody Drug Conjugate start up located in Basel (2014-2019). Mr. Sellam also advises start-up companies, (including Iome Bio, Harvard spin off), Tech Transfer Accelerators and pharma companies (including OM Pharma) through his strategic consulting firm ESN Life Sciences GmbH (2011-present).

Mr. Sellam earned an MS in Biotechnology Engineering from the National School of Biotechnology in Bordeaux, France (2002) and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration in Poitiers, France (2007).

Maeva Dufies, PhD
Chief Scientist Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Dr Maeva Dufies is C-level biotech executive, with over fifteen years of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology/ophtalmology research, drug discovery and translational medicine. Dr Dufies is the Chief Scientist Officer & Chief Operating Officer & Co-founder of Roca Therapeutics.

During her research at the CNRS, she published 55 articles, 16 as 1st author, 6 as last author (h-index = 27, 1 934 citations), filing of 10 patents, Participated in ancillary studies of 6 clinical trials and won numerous awards including the Chercheur/Espoir category price of the SATT Sud-Est, ARTuR Prize, Michel Hery Prize, Pasteur Mutualité Group Price.

Dr Dufies obtained her biology doctorate (2012) and her habilitation to direct research (HDR 2019) at the University of Nice. Her aim is to bring his research to life and to patients, in the hope of providing them with new therapeutic options, she has taken a number of training courses on entrepreneurship and business.

Cyril Ronco, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry Director

Dr. Cyril Ronco is a professor of medicinal chemistry at Université Côte d’Azur, where he leads a research group dedicated to medicinal chemistry.

With two decades of experience in drug discovery and development, he has played a key role in the field and is a co-founder and executive committee member of two biotech startups.

He has received prestigious awards from the Société de Chimie Thérapeutique and the Humboldt Foundation and is a member of the Institut Universitaire de France.

Additionally, Dr Ronco established and currently leads the Master 2 program “Medicinal & Bioorganic Chemistry” in Nice. Cyril Ronco has co-authored 50 scientific publications and holds 18 patents.

Violaine Desort
Medical Director

Dr. Violaine Desort-Hénin is a Senior Medical Consultant for Biotech and Big Pharma aiming to transform proof of concept to reality with agility and consolidated development.

Dr Desort-Hénin is specialist in Translational Medicine from efficacy animal models, regulatory toxicology to Human Clinical Trials up to phase IV and Pharmacovigilance through all phases of development : proof-of-concepts in animals and humans, regulatory filing from public health concerns to orphan designations OMPD and ODD, agencies scientific advices and presentations.

She received extensive training at École Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, where she earned her DEFV between 1999 and 2003. She also completed a DIUE in Medical Lasers at the Grange-Blanche Faculty of Medicine in 2003-2004.

Professionally, Dr. Desort-Hénin has worked as a veterinarian in various clinics. In 2015, she was appointed Clinical Director at Eyevensys, an innovative company specializing in ophthalmic therapies, where she was responsible for developing the company’s clinical program.

Dr. Desort-Hénin is recognized for her deep understanding of the pathophysiology of ocular diseases and her expertise in clinical development. She has been involved in all phases of drug development up to Phase III and has contributed to the design of strategic international programs.

Pr. Stéphanie Baillif, MD, PhD
Head of department of Ophthalmology

Pr Stéphanie Baillif is head of the ophthalmology department at the Pasteur 2 hospital in Nice (France). She holds a professorship in ophthalmology at the Nice Faculty of Medicine.

She specialises in medical and surgical diseases of the retina. In ocular oncology, Professor Stéphanie Baillif is President of the Nice Department of Onco-Ophthalmology (DOON). She deals with surgery to remove ocular melanomas after proton therapy (endoresection) and radiation maculopathy (oedema of the macula after proton therapy).

Pr Baillif holds a DEA in Medical and Biological Engineering (2004), a state diploma in medicine (2005), a DES in Ophthalmology (2005), a doctorate in Life and Health Sciences (2008) from Claude Bernard Lyon University, European Board of Ophthalmology (2013) and Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches (2014) from Nice University.

Pr Baillif is the author of over 139 publications. She has participated in and directed numerous clinical trials in ophthalmology.

Leticia Pires Goncalves, PhD
Project Manager / R&D Scientist

Dr Letícia Pires Gonçalves is a scientist specialized in organic chemistry and biotechnology. She obtained her Ph.D. in 2012 from the Federal University of ABC (Brazil), focusing on the chemical modification of natural pigments, particularly betalains, for biotechnological applications such as colorants, antioxidants, and probes. Her doctoral thesis was recognized as one of the best in Brazil in 2012.

Following her Ph.D., she participated in multidisciplinary research projects at the interface of chemistry and biology, including biocatalysis and photobiocatalysis at the Vienna University of Technology (Austria), biomolecules chemistry at Yale School of Medicine (USA), and reactive species mechanisms at the University of São Paulo (Brazil).

Currently, Letícia is a permanent researcher and project leader in the Chemistry Department at Roca Therapeutics, where she works on the discovery and development of new drugs for treating eye diseases.

With more than 30 scientific publications / patents, her contributions focus on the discovery of bioactive compounds and the development of chemical tools and formulations.

Olivia Rastoin
R&D Engineer, Biology

Olivia Rastoin is a biology research engineer in Roca Therapeutics. She has extensive experience in in vitro and in vivo experiments, flow cytometry, applying advanced analytical protocols essential for biotechnological and immunological research. Her skills contribute to optimizing techniques, supporting the identification and development of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Our Team

Board of Directors

Recognized track record and well established collaborations

Gilles Pagès, PhD
Research Director, IRCAN

Dr Gilles Pagès has been a leading specialist in tumor angiogenesis for over 20 years. He is an Exceptional-Class Research Director at INSERM and has received several prestigious awards, including the Ruban Rose Prize, the Prince Albert I Prize (awarded by the National Academy of Medicine of Monaco), and the Amgen Innovation Prize.

He was elected to INSERM’s National Committee for Cancer (CSS2) and serves on the INSERM Scientific Council. Additionally, he is an honorary president of the French Society for Angiogenesis, which he previously chaired, and has served as a board member of the European Vascular Biology Organization.

Dr Pagès has published 200 scientific articles, holds an H-index of 62, has filed 10 patents, and has contributed to three clinical trials. Over the past five years, he has secured more than €5 million in research funding.

Roberto De Ponti, PharmD
General Partner, 3B Future Heath Fund

Roberto De Ponti is General Partner in 3B Future Health Fund.

Prior to this, Roberto was Head of Corporate Business Development at Helsinn. Roberto has held several Senior Director positions in various pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Indena, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Nerviano Medical Sciences and Boehringer Mannheim.

His extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry includes the development of blockbuster drugs, oversight of R&D and manufacturing as well as licensing and business development. Roberto is on the board of several portfolio companies in Europe and the US. He holds a PharmD degree and is an EU Qualified Person.

Roberto De Ponti serves on the board of OncoResponse, Domain Therapeutics, Roca Therapeutics, Fore and is an observer on the board of iOnctura and Epsilogen.

Rachid Benhida, PhD
Research Director, ICN Institute

Dr Rachid Benhida is currently Director of research at CNRS, Lead of CBS department at UM6P, Co-Director of the ICN institute (Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR CNRS-UNS 7272, 2008-2016), Director of the International Joint Lab GreenPhos, team leader (Bioactive Molecules’ team at the ICN). He received his Ph.D. from University of Paris XI, Orsay, France. After three years post-doctoral positions, Hoechst/Roussel-Uclaf and “Curie Institute”, he joined the “Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles”, ICSN, as ANR post-doc award and as Chargé de recherche CNRS in the same year. He moved from ICSN to the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in 2002. His current research is focused on nucleic acids and phosphorus chemistry, the development of novel chemical processes and their industrial applications.

He is the co-founder of several start-ups, among them Roca Therapeutics, Biper Therapeutics and Nikai.

Dr Benhida is coauthor of more than 200 articles and 40 patents, 22 licensed products. He is recipient of several awards, e.g.,”Palmarès des Inventeurs 2024″ Journal Le Point. Sanofi European Innovation Award, 2019. Member of the National Academy of Pharmacy, 2016. Grand Prix Michel Delalande of the National Academy of Pharmacy, 2015. INPI Talents 2014 and 2016, CNRS Excellence Award, 2011. ANRS Young Research Award, 1993. Glaxo-Welcome PhD Award, 1992.

Cyril Ronco, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry, Université Côte d'Azur

Dr. Cyril Ronco is a professor of medicinal chemistry at Université Côte d’Azur, where he leads a research group dedicated to medicinal chemistry.

With two decades of experience in drug discovery and development, he has played a key role in the field and is a co-founder and executive committee member of two biotech startups.

He has received prestigious awards from the Société de Chimie Thérapeutique and the Humboldt Foundation and is a member of the Institut Universitaire de France.

Additionally, Dr Ronco established and currently leads the Master 2 program “Medicinal & Bioorganic Chemistry” in Nice. Cyril Ronco has co-authored 50 scientific publications and holds 18 patents.

Maeva Dufies, PhD
CSO & COO

Dr Maeva Dufies is C-level biotech executive, with over fifteen years of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology/ophtalmology research, drug discovery and translational medicine. Dr Dufies is the Chief Scientist Officer & Chief Operating Officer & Co-founder of Roca Therapeutics.

During her research at the CNRS, she published 55 articles, 16 as 1st author, 6 as last author (h-index = 27, 1 934 citations), filing of 10 patents, Participated in ancillary studies of 6 clinical trials and won numerous awards including the Chercheur/Espoir category price of the SATT Sud-Est, ARTuR Prize, Michel Hery Prize, Pasteur Mutualité Group Price.

Dr Dufies obtained her biology doctorate (2012) and her habilitation to direct research (HDR 2019) at the University of Nice. Her aim is to bring his research to life and to patients, in the hope of providing them with new therapeutic options, she has taken a number of training courses on entrepreneurship and business.

Zaki Sellam, PhD, MBA
CEO, Landmark BioVentures

Zaki Sellam is an experienced C-level biotech executive, with over two decades of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology drug discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, biotech startups, and fostering strategic alliances between prominent pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. Mr. Sellam has raised approximately $100 million in equity financing in this sector. In addition to his role as CEO of Landmark BioVentures AG, he also serves as Executive Chairman to each of LBV Nexus companies.

Previously, Mr. Sellam was Founder and CEO of Avicenna Oncology GmbH, an Antibody Drug Conjugate start up located in Basel (2014-2019). Mr. Sellam also advises start-up companies, (including Iome Bio, Harvard spin off), Tech Transfer Accelerators and pharma companies (including OM Pharma) through his strategic consulting firm ESN Life Sciences GmbH (2011-present).

Mr. Sellam earned an MS in Biotechnology Engineering from the National School of Biotechnology in Bordeaux, France (2002) and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration in Poitiers, France (2007).

Our Team

Advisory Board

Dedicated luminary advisors focused on advancing novel approaches against ocular disease for patients

Arun D. Singh, MD, PhD
Director, Dept. of Ophthalmic Oncology Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Arun D. Singh is a renowned ophthalmologist and the Director of the Department of Ophthalmic Oncology at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. He also serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology and is the Editor-in-Chief of “Ocular Oncology and Pathology”.

Dr. Singh earned his medical degree (MD) from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Pondicherry, India. He pursued further training in ophthalmology in the United Kingdom and completed a fellowship in ocular oncology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, USA. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London and is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Specializing in ophthalmic tumors in both adults and children, his research focuses on uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma genetics, retinal capillary hemangioma, and von Hippel-Lindau disease. Dr. Singh is a prolific researcher with over 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has edited several key textbooks in the field. His contributions to ophthalmology have been recognized with an Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Beyond his clinical and research work, Dr. Singh is an active member of the academic and professional ophthalmic community. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the “British Journal of Ophthalmology” and a member of various prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the International Society for Genetic Eye Diseases, the International Retinoblastoma Society, the Macula Society, the Vitreous Society, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and the Jules Gonin Club. He also serves as the Secretary of the International Society of Ocular Oncology.

Through his extensive clinical, research, and educational activities, Dr. Singh continues to make significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology, particularly in retinal diseases and ocular oncology.

Thibaud Mathis, MD, PhD
President of the French Retina Society, Head of department of Ophthalmology

Professor Thibaud Mathis is a renowned ophthalmologist specializing in retinal diseases.

He practices at the ophthalmology department of the Croix-Rousse Hospital, affiliated with the Hospices Civils de Lyon. He is President of the French Retina Society.

Pr Mathis is also involved in research within the “Inflammation and Immunology in Retinal Diseases” team at the Institut de la Vision. His research focuses on new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for AMD, including innovative treatments and prevention strategies.

He is the author of over 180 scientific publications and has been cited more than 1,800 times in specialized journals. His expertise is internationally recognized, and he is regularly consulted by pharmaceutical companies such as Allergan, Bayer, and Novartis.

Pr Mathis actively contributes to the advancement of ophthalmology, participating in clinical trials and publishing articles on topics such as optical coherence tomography angiography and anatomical prognostic factors in retinal disorders.

Argyrios (Aris) Chronopoulos
Chief managing senior physician of Department of Ophthalmology Ruprecht-Karls-University (Germany)

Dr. Argyrios (Aris) Chronopoulos is an experienced ophthalmic surgeon, currently serving as Senior Chief Physician and Deputy Clinical Director in the Department of Ophthalmology at Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany.

Dr. Chronopoulos has gained extensive international experience throughout his career. He worked as a Consultant at the Department of Ophthalmology at Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland. He then completed a fellowship in medical retina and cataract surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom. In November 2017, he joined Ludwigshafen Hospital, where he has since held several positions, including Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Senior Chief Physician in charge of research and publications.

Specializing in cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, and medical retina, Dr. Chronopoulos has a particular focus on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular diseases. He has significant experience in both clinical and fundamental research, having supported various clinical trial protocols and successfully led multiple studies on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.

Beyond his clinical and research activities, Dr. Chronopoulos is a member of several professional organizations, including the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP). He is also active in the academic community, contributing to numerous publications that advance knowledge in ophthalmology.

With his international background and dedication to patient care, research, and education, Dr. Chronopoulos continues to make significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology.

Frederic Mouriaux
Head of department of Ophthalmology

Pr Frédéric Mouriaux is head of the ophthalmology department at Rennes University Hospital (France). He holds a professorship in ophthalmology at the University of Rennes Faculty of Medicine and is an associate professor at the University Ophthalmology Center of Quebec (Canada).

He specialises in orbital, eyelid, and lacrimal diseases, ocular oncology, and neuro-ophthalmology. Professor Mouriaux is recognised for his expertise in the management of ocular tumours, including melanomas, and for his contributions to multidisciplinary oncological care.

Pr Mouriaux trained in ophthalmology at Lille University, followed by subspecialty training in oculoplastics at the Fondation Ophtalmologique Rothschild (Paris). He became head of service at the Lens Hospital before his appointment as Professor of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Caen in 2003, and later at Rennes in 2014. He has been head of the Rennes ophthalmology department since 2016.

Pr Mouriaux is the author of numerous scientific publications and actively participates in national and international research networks in ocular oncology and oculoplastics. He is regularly invited to lecture at international congresses and collaborates with pharmaceutical and academic partners in translational and clinical research.