Our Team
Board of Directors
James LaFlamme, RPh, MS, FACHE — Healthcare executive with 30+ years’ global experience; founder of BioPharma Global and former senior leader at Coté Orphan, NCQA, and PwC.
James LaFlamme is a senior healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience across clinical, regulatory, and commercial domains. He is the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of BioPharma Global, where he led international operations and advisory services supporting drug developers focused on rare and underserved conditions. Under his leadership, the company was successfully acquired by Pace Analytical Life Sciences.
Previously, James served as Executive Vice President at Coté Orphan, directing global regulatory and business development strategy; held a senior role at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) overseeing accreditation and recognition programs; and led healthcare advisory and transformation initiatives within PwC’s Public Sector Healthcare Advisory practice.
James holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at the UConn School of Pharmacy.
Professor Albert Frauman — Physician-scientist and biotech founder; clinical pharmacology leader at University of Melbourne and Austin Health, with 40 years’ translational research expertise.
Professor Albert Frauman is a physician-scientist and translational biotech entrepreneur with four decades of clinical and academic leadership. He is Chair in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Melbourne and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Austin Health. A board-certified endocrinologist and fellow of multiple international medical colleges, he has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed papers on autoimmunity, viral infection, oncology, and pharmacovigilance. His research and translational expertise underpin MLS Bio’s programs in oncology and infectious disease.
Penelope Lane — CEO & Managing Director of MLS Bio, global biotech leader with 20+ years’ experience translating science into health impact, scaling ventures, and securing international investment across five continents.
Penelope Lane is a global biotech and healthcare executive with over 20 years of leadership across five continents. As CEO and Managing Director of MLS Bio, she has assembled a world-class team advancing small-molecule therapeutics in oncology and infectious disease. Penelope previously scaled an Australian medical simulation venture through to a successful exit to Terumo Corporation and earlier led the WHO- and Gates Foundation-backed BlueStar health franchise across ten countries. She also founded Vert & Or Ventures, serves on global advisory boards (including Sheba Medical Center and RMIT), and is an active biotech investor.
Grant Dooley BA (Asian Studies), MIA — Global investment leader; former CEO of Breakthrough Victoria with deep expertise in venture capital, funds management, and cross-border investment across Australia and Asia.
Grant Dooley is a seasoned investment and fund-management executive with more than 20 years of experience leading large-scale capital deployment across infrastructure, venture capital, and sovereign funds. As the inaugural CEO of Breakthrough Victoria, he established and led a $2 billion innovation and commercialisation fund that deployed over $350 million across 27 companies and six university platforms. He previously served as CEO of ARA Infrastructure (Singapore), Executive Director at Hastings Funds Management, and Australian Consul-General in Guangzhou with DFAT. Grant brings deep expertise in global investment strategy, venture and private capital, and cross-border partnership governance.
Dr Jenny Petering — NED, leading patent attorney and biotech IP strategist; Of Counsel at FB Rice, Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law Masters, and advisor to early-stage biotech innovators through AusBiotech, IPSANZ, IMNIS and Scale Angels.
Dr Jenny Petering is an Australian and New Zealand-registered patent attorney with extensive experience in biotechnology intellectual property. As Of Counsel with FB Rice, she manages complex international patent portfolios and advises on strategic IP planning, due diligence, and opposition proceedings. She has been recognised as an MIP IP Star (2019–2022) and listed in IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders (2021–2025). Jenny holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Adelaide and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry & Genetics from Monash University. She is a Senior Fellow in the Melbourne Law Masters Program and a mentor through AusBiotech, IMNIS, and Scale Angels.
Paul Scagliotti — Leading commercial lawyer and company secretary; governance and compliance specialist with expertise in commercialisation transactions, IP strategy, and research partnership and investment structuring.
Paul Scagliotti is an experienced commercial lawyer and company secretary with a strong record in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and transaction advisory across biotech, higher education, and advanced manufacturing. He specialises in contract negotiation, intellectual property strategy, and investment structuring. A Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Paul has served as General Counsel and CFO at Concepta Group and held senior legal roles at leading Australian universities. He is currently Director at Vert & Or Legal, providing strategic legal and governance advice to innovation-driven companies.
Board Observers
Adrian Hondros — Finance and strategy executive with 38+ years’ leadership across banking, insurance, construction and biotech; Founder of Hondros Consulting.
Adrian Hondros is an experienced financial services and strategy executive with nearly four decades of leadership experience across banking, insurance, construction, and biotechnology. Over the past three years (2022 – 2025) he has served as a Non-Executive Director of MLS Bio, where he has overseen and contributed to a period of significant transformational change, strengthening the company’s investment relationships and positioning it for growth. Adrian’s broader career includes senior executive roles at NAB and CBA, as well as serving as CEO of St Andrew’s Australia and Porter Davis Homes. As Founder and Managing Director of Hondros Consulting, he continues to advise boards and CEOs on leadership, strategy, and governance to achieve sustainable growth and deliver long-term value. “We are delighted that Adrian will continue to contribute his expertise and leadership to MLS Bio in his new role as Board Observer, ensuring the company continues to benefit from his experience and insights during this next stage of growth.” Professor Albert Frauman, Founding Director.
Holly Stefl — Commercial executive with 20+ years’ experience leading global growth strategies across pharmaceutical services and biotechnology in the US and Australia; expert in biotech services, clinical development and R&D funding strategies.
Holly Stefl is a commercial executive with over 20 years of experience leading global growth strategies across pharmaceutical and biotech sectors in the US and Australia. She served as Chief Commercial Officer at Endpoints Capital, providing non-dilutive R&D funding to biotech companies. Previously, she was CCO at Agilex Biolabs, driving its growth and sale to Healius (ASX:HLS), and held senior roles at IQVIA, Quintiles, and an oncology biotech. Holly brings expertise in clinical operations, commercialisation strategy, and global drug development.
Executive Team
Penelope Lane — CEO & Managing Director of MLS Bio, global biotech leader with 20+ years’ experience translating science into health impact, scaling ventures, and securing international investment across five continents.
Penelope Lane is a global biotech and healthcare executive with over 20 years of leadership across five continents. As CEO and Managing Director of MLS Bio, she has assembled a world-class team advancing small-molecule therapeutics in oncology and infectious disease. Penelope previously scaled an Australian medical simulation venture through to a successful exit to Terumo Corporation and earlier led the WHO- and Gates Foundation-backed BlueStar health franchise across ten countries. She also founded Vert & Or Ventures, serves on global advisory boards (including Sheba Medical Center and RMIT), and is an active biotech investor.
Professor Albert Frauman — Physician-scientist and biotech founder; clinical pharmacology leader at University of Melbourne and Austin Health, with 40 years’ translational research expertise.
Professor Albert Frauman is a physician-scientist and translational biotech entrepreneur with four decades of clinical and academic leadership. He is Chair in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Melbourne and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Austin Health. A board-certified endocrinologist and fellow of multiple international medical colleges, he has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed papers on autoimmunity, viral infection, oncology, and pharmacovigilance. His research and translational expertise underpin MLS Bio’s programs in oncology and infectious disease.
Thomas Collins — Chartered Accountant and CFO with expertise in corporate finance, investment management and strategic financial leadership; experienced investor in listed and early-stage innovative companies.
Thomas Collins is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in corporate finance, investment management, and financial operations. He has led financial reporting for both listed and private entities, managed capital structuring and compliance, and aligned finance systems with strategic goals. As CFO and Financial Controller of MLS Bio, Thomas oversees reporting, governance, and financial strategy to enable sustainable growth. Known for analytical discipline and strategic foresight, he brings rigour and stability to executive leadership.
Paul Scagliotti — Leading commercial lawyer and company secretary; governance and compliance specialist with expertise in commercialisation transactions, IP strategy, and research partnership and investment structuring.
Paul Scagliotti is an experienced commercial lawyer and company secretary with a strong record in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and transaction advisory across biotech, higher education, and advanced manufacturing. He specialises in contract negotiation, intellectual property strategy, and investment structuring. A Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Paul has served as General Counsel and CFO at Concepta Group and held senior legal roles at leading Australian universities. He is currently Director at Vert & Or Legal, providing strategic legal and governance advice to innovation-driven companies.
Key Advisors
Former CSL President and CFO; biotech strategy advisor with deep expertise in global operations and vaccine commercialisation.
Gordon Naylor is a former President of CSL Seqirus and CFO of CSL Limited, with decades of experience in biotech finance and global operations. He provides strategic advice on biotech commercialisation, corporate governance, and international market expansion, drawing on his leadership in vaccine manufacturing and public health commercial strategy.
Pharmaceutical chemistry expert and patent attorney; advisor to biotech and pharma firms on IP protection and portfolio strategy.
Dr Brittany Howard is a partner and patent attorney at FB Rice, specialising in pharmaceutical chemistry and intellectual property strategy. She advises biotech and pharma clients on patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analysis, and portfolio commercialisation. Her scientific background in medicinal chemistry supports her role as a trusted advisor bridging research and commercial translation.
Global investor and medical technology entrepreneur guiding early-stage biotech innovation and commercialisation strategy.
Dr Alexander Gosling is a global investor and medical technology entrepreneur with a career spanning engineering innovation, commercial R&D, and strategic advisory. He has founded and invested in multiple med-tech ventures and provides guidance on technology commercialisation and product development strategies for early-stage biotech companies.
R&D tax and innovation funding expert helping biotech and med-tech companies translate science into sustainable business growth.
U.S.-based CFO advisor and financial strategist guiding biotech firms through growth, fundraising, and North American expansion.
Geoff Grisham is a chartered corporate finance professional and senior financial advisor specialising in U.S. market operations. He provides CFO-level advisory to biotechnology and healthcare organisations, guiding financial modelling, fundraising, and strategic expansion within North American markets.
Biotech executive and NED with extensive experience in R&D portfolio management and global clinical development.
Dr Jane Ryan is a biotechnology executive and clinical development leader with extensive experience managing R&D portfolios for listed biotech companies. She has served in senior scientific and non-executive director roles, advising on global clinical trials, regulatory pathways, and investor engagement strategies.
Global digital marketing leader specialising in biotech brand development, investor communications, and strategic positioning.
Kimberly Wells is the Global Practice Lead at TBWA Advertising and a senior digital marketing strategist with deep expertise in healthcare and biotech communications. She advises MLS Bio on global brand development, digital engagement, and investor relations strategies, leveraging her international experience in creative leadership and integrated marketing.
Pharmaceutical R&D expert advising on chemical drug development, formulation, and clinical-scale manufacturing.
Dr Ashley Bates is an experienced pharmaceutical R&D executive and consultant specialising in chemical drug development and manufacturing. He has held senior directorial roles in pharmaceutical research and advises MLS Bio on clinical formulation, scale-up, and regulatory compliance for small-molecule therapeutics.
Scientific Advisory Board
World-leading oncologist and prostate cancer researcher; Chair of Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering and former CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Professor Charles J. Ryan is an internationally recognised genitourinary oncologist and physician-scientist. He serves as Chair of Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium. Formerly President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, he has published over 200 scientific papers, led pivotal clinical trials for abiraterone acetate (Zytiga), and continues to guide global oncology research initiatives.
Professor Albert Frauman — Physician-scientist and biotech founder; clinical pharmacology leader at University of Melbourne and Austin Health, with 40 years’ translational research expertise.
Professor Albert Frauman is a physician-scientist and translational biotech entrepreneur with four decades of clinical and academic leadership. He is Chair in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Melbourne and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Austin Health. A board-certified endocrinologist and fellow of multiple international medical colleges, he has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed papers on autoimmunity, viral infection, oncology, and pharmacovigilance. His research and translational expertise underpin MLS Bio’s programs in oncology and infectious disease.
Space for infectious disease incoming US appointment
Professor Christine McDonald AM FAHMS is an eminent physician-scientist specialising in respiratory and sleep medicine, with an illustrious career in clinical care, translational research, and academic leadership . She serves as the Director of the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Austin Health and holds professorial appointments including Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Adjunct Professor at Monash University, with additional affiliations at RMIT University and the Victorian Translational Research Institute (VicTRI).
Veterinary pharmacologist and translational researcher; advisor to MLS Bio on animal health therapeutics and pharmacology strategy.
Professor Ted Whittem is a distinguished veterinary scientist and translational pharmacologist. Former Dean of the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences at James Cook University, he has authored over 20 studies on pharmacokinetics and pain management in animal health. He currently serves on the Animal Aid Board, contributing to governance and ethics in animal welfare. His expertise supports MLS Bio’s veterinary antiviral and pharmacology programs.
In Transition
Scientific Advisory Board Chair - Virology Stream
U.S.-based pharmaceutical executive with NASDAQ experience to join post–Series A to strengthen global clinical and regulatory expertise.
Pioneering Next-Gen Therapies for Global Health