Mercedes Diz is the Chief Executive Officer at Highlight Therapeutics, a role she assumed in October 2025. She brings more than two decades of experience from Almirall, a global pharmaceutical company fully focused on medical dermatology, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer and member of the Executive Committee. During her tenure, she played a key role in shaping the company’s international strategy, pipeline development and commercial growth. Prior to this position, Mercedes held several global leadership roles, including Head of Global Commercial Operations, VP Strategy and Corporate Development, and VP Global Marketing & Market Access.

She holds a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, complemented by postgraduate studies in Business Administration and Management. Earlier in her career, she worked in commercial and marketing roles at Pfizer, DuPont Pharma and Allergan, building a strong foundation across multiple areas of the pharmaceutical value chain.

Mercedes’ extensive experience in dermatology, global strategy and commercial leadership strengthens Highlight’s multidisciplinary team and reinforces the company’s ability to bridge scientific innovation with strategic execution.

Marisol Quintero is the Chief Operating Officer at Highlight Therapeutics. In this position, she leads organizational execution, operational excellence and cross-functional alignment as the company moves into its next stage of development

Marisol previously served as CEO at the company from 2013 to 2025, successfully guiding the organization through its early development. During her tenure, she established a strong strategic position within its therapeutic field, built key partnerships and led the company through multiple clinical milestones.

Before joining Highlight, she managed IP portfolios, licensing deals and the creation of biotech startups, including Life Length and Axontherapix during her work at the Botín Foundation. As Director of Innovation at the CNIO (National Centre for Cancer Research), she restructured R&D programs, optimized operations and built strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies.

Marisol holds a Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Valencia, a PhD from University College London (UCL) and an Executive MBA from IE Business School. Her experience spanning scientific research, innovation management and strategic development strengthens Highlight’s leadership team.

Zuzana Jirakova Trnkova joined Highlight Therapeutics as Chief Medical Officer in April 2023. She brings more than twenty years of experience from prominent blue-chip life sciences and leading biotech companies, where she gained comprehensive expertise across all phases of clinical development, medical affairs, and global project and team leadership.

Throughout her career in the pharmaceutical industry, she has held a variety of global leadership and strategic positions, including Head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs Radiology at Bayer Pharma AG and VP of Clinical Research and Development at BioNTech SE. Earlier in her career, she contributed to clinical development programs at MSD and Sanofi Aventis.

Zuzana is a physician, scientist, passionate clinical developer and people leader. She practiced in internal medicine and hemato-oncology, holds a PhD in Immunology and Molecular Biology, and has authored numerous clinical and scientific publications. Her clinical and scientific foundation, together with her leadership in clinical development, adds depth to Highlight’s medical and development programs.

Abel Riera joined Highlight Therapeutics as Chief Business Officer in 2025. He is a seasoned life sciences executive with extensive experience in business development, M&A, alliance management, commercial strategy and business planning. He has a proven track record in shaping, negotiating and executing growth strategies across oncology, aesthetics, dermatology, ophthalmology and women’s health. Abel also brings strong analytical capabilities, including asset and company valuation.

Before joining Highlight, he held roles of increasing breadth and complexity within commercial support functions at Amgen Spain, Amgen Europe and Almirall. He later pivoted into business development, contributing to the strategic and commercial success of companies such as SymBio Pharmaceuticals, Exeltis Healthcare, Allergan and Galderma. In addition to his industry experience, Abel serves as an advisor to the biotech company OXOlife.

Abel holds a BA in Business Administration from McPherson College, a Degree in Economics from the University of Barcelona and an MBA from Pittsburg State University. His blend of global commercial, strategic and transactional expertise expands Highlight’s capabilities across the full corporate development spectrum.

Aitor Olaso joined Highlight Therapeutics as Quality and Pharmacovigilance Director in September 2024. Before joining Highlight, he worked at European healthcare institutions such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as at global pharmaceutical companies including Sanofi-Pasteur MSD. Over the past decade, he has held a range of scientific and leadership roles, including QPPV in Pharmacovigilance and Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs, and has collaborated with companies such as Sanofi, Celgene and UCB.

At the EMA, he actively contributed to committees such as CHMP, PRAC and CMDh. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade at the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS), where he held quality, regulatory and scientific roles.

Aitor holds a Degree in Pharmacy, along with a Master’s in Science in Regulatory Affairs, and a Master’s in Science in Infectious Diseases and Public Health. His experience in regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance and quality strengthens critical areas for clinical development and trial safety.

Eric Míguez joined Highlight Therapeutics as Global CMC Lead in January 2025. He brings more than fifteen years of experience spanning pharmaceutical development, technology transfer and end-to-end CMC leadership across injectables, biologics and complex drug products.

Before joining Highlight, Eric held CMC and R&D leadership roles at Sobi, Chemo (Insud Pharma) and Galenicum Health, where he oversaw formulation development, process optimization, tech transfer and regulatory submissions across US, EU and global markets. Throughout his career, he has led the development of numerous parenteral products, supported multiple regulatory filings—including IND, IMPD, ANDA and BLA submissions—and built cross-functional collaborations with CMOs and CROs to ensure timely and compliant program execution.

Eric holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy, an MSc in Research, Development and Monitoring of Medicines, and a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, all from the University of Barcelona. He is the author of several peer-reviewed publications and co-inventor on a pharmaceutical patent. His technical and regulatory depth strengthens Highlight’s CMC capabilities across the entire development value chain.

Carlos Payá is a Venture Partner at Abingworth LLP and Ysios Capital and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Vaxcyte, Inc. and Highlight Therapeutics S.L.

Most recently, he was President and CEO of Immune Design Corp. until its acquisition by Merck in 2019. His prior experience includes serving as President of Elan Pharmaceuticals and holding senior leadership roles at Eli Lilly, including Global Head of the Diabetes and Endocrine Franchise.

Dr. Payá began his career at the Mayo Clinic, where he was a Professor of Medicine, Immunology and Pathology, and served as Vice Dean for the Clinical Investigation Program. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the Complutense University of Madrid.

With more than 15 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industry, Damià has built a strong track record in life sciences venture capital and the creation of high-impact biotechnology companies. Since 2010, he has led strategic investments across the biopharmaceutical, medical technology and life sciences sectors, combining scientific innovation with a solid business vision.

He has founded and supported several biotech companies, including Artax Biopharma Inc., Bioncotech Therapeutics SL, Restaura Biotech SL and PTS, and has been closely involved in the creation and development of Highlight Therapeutics. In addition, he currently serves on the boards of companies such as Aleta Biotherapeutics, Minoryx, Syngoi and Advanthera.

Damià holds a degree in Biology from the University of Valencia and a PhD in Immunology and Molecular Genetics from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and has completed executive training in Biotechnology Management at IE Business School.

Dr. Shahzad Malik is a General Partner at Advent Life Sciences, a transatlantic venture investor dedicated to building innovative life sciences companies across the UK, Europe and the United States. He joined Advent in 1999, bringing a strong foundation in science, clinical medicine and international finance.

Dr. Malik earned his MA in Physiological Sciences from Oxford University and his MD from Cambridge University. He later specialized in interventional cardiology, while conducting both clinical and fundamental research in heart muscle disorders.

Since joining Advent, he has played an active role in more than 25 portfolio companies across the life sciences sector in Europe and the United States, including Algeta, Respivert, Biocartis, Mirobio and Axonics Modulation Technologies.

Janwillem Naesens is the Managing Partner of Droia Ventures, a specialist life sciences investor focused on early-stage biotech companies developing therapeutics for oncology and genetic diseases.

He serves on the boards of Frontier Medicines, Protego Bio, Ambagon, Highlight Therapeutics and Alesta Therapeutics.

Janwillem holds an MSc in Engineering from the University of Leuven and an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau.

Nuria joined Buenavista Private Equity in 2008 and currently serves as Managing Partner of its specialized healthcare fund, BV Healthcare Growth Innvierte I.

She holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Navarra, as well as an Executive Master in Finance from IE Business School.

At Buenavista, Nuria oversees strategy and investments within the firm’s healthcare portfolio and currently serves on the Board of Vitro, Evidenze, Syngoi and Highlight Therapeutics.