Zafrira Avnur, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer and Partner at Quark Venture Inc

Dr Avnur is a Partner and Chief Scientific Officer at Quark Venture Inc, a global venture capital firm founded in 2016. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics research and development to her role, with significant scientific achievements including the advancement of three compounds (a PTHrP analog and two vitamin D analogs) from early exploratory discovery research to the clinic and being named Distinguished Scientist at Roche. Prior to Quark, Dr. Avnur was the Global Head of Academic Innovation, Roche Partnering, creating eleven startup companies. She also held the role of Global Head of Neglected Diseases, Roche Partnering, and started the “Finder” group for Biomarkers for all therapeutic areas at Roche where she acted as liaison between Pharma and Diagnostic Divisions and contributed to the Personalized Health Care initiative.