Lior Zangi, PhD
Founder & Principal Investigator
Lior Zangi, PhD, is a globally recognized pioneer in mRNA-based regenerative medicine whose discoveries have helped shape the development of therapeutic mRNA technologies. His research has been instrumental in demonstrating how modified mRNA can be used not only as a tool for vaccination, but as a powerful therapeutic modality capable of repairing damaged tissues and restoring biological function.
Dr. Zangi serves as Professor of Cardiology and Genetics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he leads a world-renowned research program focused on cardiovascular regeneration, tissue repair, and therapeutic mRNA technologies. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a vision to harness the body's natural regenerative capacity and develop therapies that address the underlying causes of disease rather than simply managing symptoms.
Among his many scientific contributions, Dr. Zangi was among the first researchers to successfully deliver modified mRNA into cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue, demonstrating that transient mRNA expression could safely stimulate tissue repair and regeneration without permanent genomic modification. His landmark work established a new paradigm for the use of mRNA in regenerative medicine and helped lay the foundation for the emerging field of therapeutic mRNA.
His pioneering studies demonstrated, for the first time, that modified mRNA could induce vascular regeneration and significantly improve cardiac function following ischemic injury. These discoveries opened the door to a new generation of regenerative therapies aimed at restoring blood flow, repairing damaged tissues, and preventing long-term organ dysfunction.
Over the past decade, Dr. Zangi has continued to advance the field through innovations in mRNA biology, tissue-selective expression, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular therapeutics, and precision medicine. His work has contributed to the broader expansion of mRNA applications beyond vaccines and into areas including cardiovascular disease, oncology, and regenerative therapies. He has also played an important role in translating therapeutic mRNA technologies toward clinical development, helping bridge the gap between groundbreaking scientific discovery and real-world patient impact.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Zangi is a dedicated mentor, educator, and leader within the global RNA therapeutics community. His laboratory has trained numerous scientists who have gone on to establish successful careers in academia and industry, extending the impact of his work far beyond his own research program.
As Founder and Principal Investigator of NovoVessel, Dr. Zangi provides the scientific vision behind the company's platform technologies and therapeutic programs. His research serves as the foundation for NovoVessel's mission to unlock the full therapeutic potential of mRNA and develop regenerative therapies capable of restoring biological function in diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Dr. Zangi believes that the future of medicine lies in moving beyond symptom management and toward therapies that repair, regenerate, and restore. Through NovoVessel, he is working to transform decades of scientific discovery into a new generation of medicines designed to help the body heal itself.
Tamar Grossman, PhD
Strategic Advisor
Tamar Grossman, PhD, is a biotechnology executive and RNA therapeutics leader with more than two decades of experience advancing innovative medicines from early discovery through translational development and clinical advancement. Her career has focused on transforming breakthrough science into therapeutic programs capable of addressing serious and complex diseases.
Dr. Grossman brings deep expertise across a broad range of RNA and genetic medicine modalities, including messenger RNA (mRNA), self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), gene editing, and advanced delivery technologies. Her experience spans scientific strategy, translational medicine, drug development, organizational leadership, and pharmaceutical partnering.
She is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of La Jolla Labs, a biotechnology company focused on developing RNA-based therapeutics for rare and complex diseases. Under her leadership, the company has evolved from a technology-focused organization into a therapeutics-driven enterprise that leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced biological insights to accelerate drug discovery and development.
Prior to founding La Jolla Labs, Dr. Grossman served as Vice President and Global Head of RNA, Gene Therapy, and Delivery at Johnson & Johnson, where she led global teams responsible for advancing RNA therapeutics, gene therapy programs, delivery technologies, and antibody-drug conjugates across multiple therapeutic areas. Her leadership helped drive the development of innovative therapeutic candidates while supporting strategic decisions across research and development organizations.
Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Grossman served as Head of Rare Diseases at Arcturus Therapeutics, where she led the development of RNA-based therapies for both rare and broader disease indications. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, including Director of Translational Medicine, where she helped advance antisense therapeutic programs from concept through clinical development.
Throughout her career, Dr. Grossman has developed a reputation for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and therapeutic execution. Her experience spans the full development continuum, from target identification and platform evaluation to translational medicine, regulatory strategy, clinical planning, and partnering.
As a Strategic Advisor to NovoVessel, Dr. Grossman provides guidance on translational development, therapeutic strategy, pharmaceutical partnering, and the advancement of next-generation mRNA medicines. Her expertise helps support NovoVessel's mission to unlock the full therapeutic potential of mRNA and accelerate the development of regenerative therapies for diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Dr. Grossman earned her PhD in Biochemistry from Tel Aviv University and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego.
Shilo Ben Zeev
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Shilo Ben Zeev is an entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, and company builder with more than two decades of experience founding and scaling transformative companies across biotechnology, digital health, medical devices, and life sciences. Throughout his career, he has focused on identifying significant unmet needs and translating innovative scientific and technological advances into products and businesses that improve patients' lives.
Living with Type 1 diabetes has given Shilo a personal appreciation for the impact that medical innovation can have on quality of life. This perspective has shaped his approach as an entrepreneur and has fueled his commitment to developing solutions that combine scientific excellence, practical utility, and meaningful patient outcomes.
Over the course of his career, Shilo has founded and helped build multiple successful healthcare and biotechnology companies. He was a founder of DarioHealth, a publicly traded digital therapeutics company focused on chronic disease management and patient engagement. He also co-founded Emendo Biotherapeutics, a next-generation gene editing company acquired in a transaction valued at approximately $350 million. In addition, he co-founded Smartzyme Biopharma, focused on protein engineering technologies, and MyBiotics, an innovator in microbiome-based health solutions.
Shilo has raised more than $100 million in financing and has extensive experience leading organizations through every stage of growth, including company formation, fundraising, business development, product development, commercialization, strategic partnerships, and organizational scaling. His ability to bridge scientific innovation with business execution has enabled him to build companies capable of transforming promising technologies into impactful healthcare solutions.
As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NovoVessel, Shilo leads the company's vision, strategy, and growth. He is focused on building a world-class organization dedicated to unlocking the full therapeutic potential of mRNA and advancing regenerative medicine approaches that address serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Under his leadership, NovoVessel is developing next-generation mRNA technologies, including the PrecisionUTR™ platform, alongside regenerative medicine programs designed to restore biological function and repair damaged tissues. Shilo believes that the future of medicine lies in moving beyond symptom management and toward therapies capable of addressing the underlying causes of disease.
His mission is to bring together breakthrough science, exceptional talent, and strategic partnerships to create therapies that can meaningfully improve patient outcomes and redefine what is possible in modern medicine.
Ofer Azoulay
Cheif Operating Officer
Ofer Azoulay is a technology entrepreneur, operator, and business leader with extensive experience building, scaling, and managing organizations across healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing, and technology industries. Throughout his career, he has focused on transforming innovative ideas into operationally successful businesses by combining strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and a strong commitment to long-term value creation.
Ofer began his entrepreneurial journey by founding and exiting a software company that is still in operations since 2002, providing early experience in product development, commercialization, and business growth. Over the years, he has developed expertise in operational leadership, organizational scaling, strategic planning, business development, and cross-functional execution.
Prior to joining NovoVessel, Ofer served as Executive Managing Director of PMC Ammunition, where he played a key role in the company's growth and operational expansion. During his tenure, the organization grew from approximately $30 million to more than $200 million in annual revenue, requiring the development of scalable systems, operational processes, supply chain capabilities, and organizational infrastructure to support rapid growth.
Ofer has also held leadership roles within healthcare and consumer technology companies, helping organizations navigate periods of innovation, expansion, fundraising, commercialization, and strategic transformation. His experience spans both startup environments and established businesses, providing a unique perspective on building organizations capable of sustained growth.
As Chief Operating Officer of NovoVessel, Ofer is responsible for operational execution, business development, strategic partnerships, fundraising support, corporate strategy, and organizational development. He works closely with NovoVessel's scientific and executive leadership to align technology development, corporate objectives, and partnership opportunities.
Ofer plays a central role in advancing NovoVessel's mission to unlock the full therapeutic potential of mRNA. His focus is on building the operational foundation, strategic relationships, and execution capabilities necessary to transform breakthrough scientific discoveries into impactful therapies and successful commercial opportunities.
He believes that innovation alone is not enough to change the world. Success requires the ability to translate vision into execution, build exceptional teams, create strategic partnerships, and consistently deliver results. At NovoVessel, he is committed to helping transform pioneering mRNA science into therapies capable of restoring biological function and improving patients' lives.