Maria Kondratyev is a founder and a CEO of Aeterna Therapeutics, with distinguished expertise in biomedical research, drug discovery and business development. Maria holds a Ph.D degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University, and an MBA in Management and Entrepreneurship from Smith’s School of Business. Her scientific career is highlighted by multiple patents, awards, and numerous publications in prestigious journals. Maria has over 20 years of experience leading diverse research projects, managing teams and overseeing activities from early discovery to target validation. In her last role as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University Health Network, Maria led fundraising efforts, engaged with scientific founders, and has been establishing collaborations and partnerships within academia and industry.