Dr Esther Alza
Bringing 15 years of expertise to the table, Esther excels in continuous flow chemistry, organic synthesis, catalysis, medicinal chemistry, Key Enabling Technologies, automation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and business development strategies.
Esther is an organic and medicinal chemist by training as well as an entrepreneur. She completed her PhD in organic chemistry, asymmetric catalysis and flow chemistry at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ). Working later also in Medicinal Chemistry in the areas of Cancer research and novel antibiotics in the University of Cambridge. In her years of experience, Dr Alza has always followed the principles of green chemistry and applying science for a sustainable world. Her expertise includes the development of proprietary technologies and methodologies related to catalysis and flow chemistry for innovative organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, incorporating novel tools like automatization, AI and additive manufacturing. Moreover Esther has broad expertise in product development and how to bring it to the market.
Prof. Miquel A. Pericàs
With over 40 years of experience in academic research (including over 325 published articles and 30 patents) Miquel is an expert in the fields of organic chemistry, catalysis, continuous flow chemistry, and cutting-edge technologies. He also has collaborated with many both national and international players in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Miquel is a pioneer in supported organocatalytic transformations in flow chemistry. He has supported technological industrial innovation, both as the Director of the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) since its constitution to 2020, as well as a serial entrepreneur. His major research interests are currently focused on enantioselective catalysis in batch and flow with species immobilized onto polymers and magnetic nanoparticles and the discovery of new reactions mediated by light. He is also interested in improving the way chemical processes are carried out, promoting the paradigm change from batch to flow, and the design of efficient, yet affordable reaction systems. His numerous honours and awards include the Medal of the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) awarded in 2019, and his election as a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona and as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
