Organisation

MC Development LLC was founded as an independent scientific-and-research company, and a number of highly-qualified specialists started to take part in its activities. These specialists came from pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutions of Russia and foreign countries. At the same time, the founder of MC Development LLC created a sound financial foundation, which allows the company to engage in investment activities. Besides, budget funds are replenished on account of successful cooperation with pharmaceutical companies and state funds. The company closely cooperates with contract research organizations and utilizes their technical and professional resources for studies of preparations undergoing development.

MC Development LLC is comprised of the following:

Investment Board (takes decisions on financing of projects);

Scientific Board (evaluates all projects from scientific perspective);

General Director (manages and coordinates the company’s operations);

Research Department (is made up of specialists organizing researches in vitro and in vivo, as well as ensuring creation of patent protection for developments);

Medical Department (is made up of specialists organizing performance of clinical studies);

Administrative Department (renders technical, legal and financial assistance, as well as ensures quality during work with projects).

The Investment Board has the following members:

Alexander V. Dikovski

Nasos Antanasiou

Alexey G. Egorov

Yulia N. Shemyakina

Dmitri V. Chicherin

The Scientific Board has the following members:

Mikhail V. Zykov, MD, PhD, Doctor of Sciences (Medicine)

Physician of Superior Expert Category with specialization in cardiology. Has been working since 2012 in the Sochi Municipal Hospital No. 4. Since 2016, is Chief External (Non-Staff) Cardiologist of the city of Sochi. Is working as Scientific Researcher in the Scientific and Research Institute for Systemic Cardiovascular Disease Problems (Laboratory of Pathophysiology of Multifocal Syndrome) in the city of Kemerovo. Was taking part in organization and conducting of more than 15 clinical studies in the sphere of cardiology, and, at the same time, was taking part in 5 of them in the capacity of Chief Researcher. Scientific interests of Mikhail V. Zykov are the study of influence of various endogenous factors on cardiovascular system, as well as search for new methods of treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. As co-author, he has published together with colleagues 115 scientific articles in Russian and foreign peer-reviewed journals. He is author of three monographs and one book dedicated to acute coronary syndrome. The results of his scientific works were being presented annually at the Russian and international conferences.

Yevgeni S. Atroshchenko, MD, PhD, Doctor of Sciences (Medicine), Professor

Chief Scientific Researcher of the Laboratory of Chronic Ishemic Heart Disease of the ‘Cardiology’ Republic Scientific-and-Practical Center (RSPC), Physician of Superior Expert Category with specialization in cardiology. Yevgeni S. Atroshchenko has been working in the Cardiology RSPC from December 1978. In 1984, he defended Candidate degree thesis with the title of ‘The State of Certain Indications of Micro-Circulation and Central Hemodynamics in Patients with Coronary and Peripheral Atherosclerosis and Hypertensive Disease (Clinical-and-Instrumental Study)’. In 1992, he defended Doctor degree thesis with the title of ‘Clinical-and-Pathogenetic Principles of Differentiated Treatment of Patients with Stable Angina Taking into Account Disorders of Micro-Circulation and Immunological Peculiarities of Progress of Atherosclerosis’. In 2011, he was awarded the Diploma of ‘Holder of Award of the Belarus National Academy of Sciences’ for achievements in the sphere of development of new approaches to treatment of patients with refractory progressing severe chronic heart failure. From 1996, he is Academician of the New York Academy of Sciences, Member of the European, All-Russian and Belarusian scientific societies of cardiologists, the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Russian Scientific Society of Heart Failure Specialists, Member of Editorial Board of the ‘Heart Failure’ journal (Ukraine), the ‘Medicine of Critical States’ journal (Russia) and 2 journals titled ‘Cardiology in Belarus’ and ‘Medical Care’ (both Belarus). As of 2017, he has published 553 scientific works, out of which 11 are books on ethiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics and pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure and coronary heart disease (as well as its complications), 8 textbooks for doctors, 2 study-and-methodological guides and 8 methodological recommendations.

Lefteris Zacharia, PhD, MBA

He holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Denison University, Granville, OH, USA, a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, USA. After completion of his PhD thesis, which focused on cardiovascular Pharmacology, he conducted his post-doctoral training in the same laboratory. Soon after, he was offered the position of Research Instructor and Director of the analytical lab at the Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he also served as Adjunct Assistant Professor until 2017. At these posts he participated in pharmacogenetic studies, and in a drug development project with PR Pharmaceuticals (methoxyestradiols in pulmonary hypertension). In 2006 he was hired as the managing director of a contract research organization company in Greece (BioMedCode Hellas) providing pre-clinical drug evaluation services using transgenic mouse models of disease. In 2009 he was offered the position of Head of R&D in a veterinary company (VetHellas SA), where he liaised with medical authorities on regulatory affairs issues, and prepared pharmaceutical registration dossiers for marketing authorization. Since 2014, he has returned to academia at the University of Nicosia, Pharmacy program, in Cyprus, where he is currently an Associate Professor. He has an excellent publication record with 45 peer reviewed original scientific articles, which have received 1400 citations and an h index of 24.

Christos Shammas, PhD

Christos ShammasDr Christos Shammas graduated with a doctoral degree in Chemistry from the University of Manchester, UK in 2006. Upon completion of his studies Dr Shammas engaged the position of Scientific Officer at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. During his postdoctoral research he focused on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management of inherited genetic disorders that includes Thalassemia, Myotonic Dystrophy and hereditary endocrinopathies. His work has contributed to over thirty peer review publications in well renowned journals and his findings have been presented in international conferences. In 2014 he established a clinical diagnostic center, specialized on genetic disorders that was granted by the ministry of industry a young entrepreneur award. In 2015 he was appointed at the national bioethics committee where he served until the end of 2018. Dr Shammas is currently since 2015 the Head of Genetics in AVVA Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus where he created a state-of-the-art research facility that complies with 17025 and GLP standards. This is one of the few research and development laboratories in Europe dedicated to the analysis of microbiome. He main focus lies on clinical and pre-clinical research studies aiming to investigate and develop innovative medicinal products with intention to improve treatment safety, efficacy and disease prevention. Part of his current research activity has received European funding under the Horizon 2020 calls and is collaborating with local institutions and research centers to provide an understanding how gut microbiome relates to health state and how its manipulation will affect patients.

Alexander N. Sergeev, MD, PhD, Doctor of Sciences (Medicine), Professor

He has dedicated more than 45 years of his labor activity to virology and virus-caused diseases (in the ‘Vector’ State Scientific Center for Virology and Biotechnology). From 1996, he is Doctor of Medical Sciences with specialization in virology. From 1998, he is Professor with specialization in virology. His areas of professional interest are the following: researches and developments in the spheres of virology and bacteriology related to microorganisms of Risk Groups 1 to 4 and including aerobiological, epidemiological, diagnostics, collection, treatment-and-preventive, manufacturing and educational activities; scientific guidance and scientific consultation of more than 10 Candidate-degree and Doctor-degree thesis papers. He was awarded the Decoration Sign of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Russian Federation titled ‘Excellence Public Health Worker’, the Commemorative Medal titled ’90 Years’ Anniversary of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Russia’, and the Commemorative Medal titled ‘For Contribution to Development of the Novosibirsk Region’. Alexander N. Sergeev is author of 11 monograph studies and 31 patents and co-author of more than 450 scientific works and 15 teaching-and-methodological works.

Konstantin А. Petrov, PhD

He graduated from biological faculty of the Kazan State University in 2000 and engaging at the Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry. A.E. Arbuzov, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences. After defending his PhD thesis in the field of physiology and pharmacology devoted to the search for inhibitors of the acetyl cholinesterase he worked as a visiting researcher at Rene Descartes University (Paris, France) on projects devoted to the study of the physiology of the neuromuscular synaptic transmission for several years. Currently he is the head of the Center for Neurochemistry and Pharmacology of the Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry. A.E. Arbuzov, as well as the head of the Neurophysiology Laboratory, which is part of this Center. The main areas of his interest include the development of tools for the correction of memory disorders in diseases as Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the search for new approaches to the fight against organophosphate poisoning with cholinesterase inhibitors. He is the author of 55 articles in scientific journals and three patents, h-index 11.

Igor V. Myagkikh, PhD

to 1989 he worked at the Institute of Molecular Biology. V.A. Engelhardt. The scientific interests of this period were related to the study of the structure and properties of pyridoxal enzymes. In 1986 he defended his thesis. From 1989 to 1996, he was an employee of the National Center for Drug Control of the USSR Ministry of Health engaging in projects to create modern diagnostic systems. From 1992 to 1995, he worked at the National Institutes of Health (USA) studying the properties of calmodulin dependent phosphatases with the release of technology for production a new generation of immunosuppressant. From 1996 to 2001, he worked in pharmaceutical companies as the head of the new drugs department (LENS-Farm company) and deputy marketing director (Medintorg company). During this period of work, the antiviral drug Amiksin was successfully brought to the Russian market.
From 2001 to 2009 he worked in the representative office of the Danish company Novozymes as General Manager and Director for Science and Development. Successfully introduced modern technology using industrial enzymes in a number of industries in Russia. In August 2009, he was invited to Pharmstandard to manage biotechnology projects. During this period, the following preparations were successfully introduced into production: Rastan, Neipomax and Biosulin. In March 2010, he began working in the biotechnology company Generium. He held the posts of deputy. General, General and Executive Directors. During this time, the company has become a modern full-cycle enterprise. A number of genetically engineered drugs was introduced to the market. From March 2017 to the present, he has worked at the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Director for Science.

Vassili N. Stepanenko, PhD

In 2003 he graduated from faculty of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Biotechnology of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology. Currently He is the head of the experimental biotechnological production of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCh RAS). In 2006 he defended his thesis «The use of protein splicing to produce recombinant polypeptides» on the specialty Molecular Biology. He is the author of 8 patents and 25 articles. Repeatedly participated in various scientific conferences in Russia and in other countries of the world.

Leopoldo Pérez de Isla, MD, PhD, FESC.

Head of Cardiovascular Imaging Unit. Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Madrid.Spain. Scientific Committee. Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Foundation. Past-Associated Editor. Revista Española de Cardiología (Spanish Journal of Cardiology). Associated Proffesor. Medical School. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Spain. President of the Cardiovascular Imaging Group. Spanish Society of Cardiology. Member, Scientific Committee, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ESC). Leader. Transthoracic echocardiography accreditation (2007-2010). Board member. Grading Committee of the EACVI Research Grants 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Events Committee. SAFEHEART Registry. Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Foundation. Major research interest: CV risk factors, Hypercholesterolaemia, CV Imaging,

Investigator in more than 7 competitive research projects and more than 20 non competitive.

Principal investigator of the on-going ARCHITECT trial (granted by Sanofi). Editor of 15 books. Author in more than 50 books. More than 250 publications in peer reviewed journals. More than 500 abstracts in different national and international Symposia.

Alina Vonarshenko, MS.

Alina VonarshenkoAlina graduated with MS degree in Biochemistry from M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University in 2007 and enrolled to PhD program in molecular biology at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, where she continued work as Junior research associate till end of 2012. Her first scientific article on discovery of new protein haponin isolated from HL-60 cell line mitochondria won the 2nd degree award as the year best scientific article of the publishing journal. Together with scientific research Alina was on tuition in RANEPA Academy with department of innovation and technology business management. In the beginning of 2013, she left scientific research and started her career in pharmaceutical industry as Scientific analyst responsible for Quality section of the CTD dossier and participated in numerous international trainings organized by EDQM, Drug Information Association (DIA), UC Berkeley extension and other parties  involving industry experts and specialists from EMA and ICH as trainers. In 2016 Alina joined AVVA group of companies first as Regulatory affairs specialist in MC Development Ltd., Russia and then in 2017 as Regulatory affairs manager in AVVA Pharmaceutical Ltd., Cyprus. Now Alina is in charge for several top-priority products to provide cutting-edge pharmaceutical development approaches for regulatory compliance accepted in international pharmaceutical industry.

Thanasis Athanasiou, PhD.

He graduated with B.Sc. Chemistry in Northeastern Illinois University  Chicago, Illinois. Worked as validation engineer in Morton Group Pharmaceuticals from 2000 to 2001. In 2001 Thanasis joined Elli Lilly & Company as Marketing Associate/Coordinator and from 2003 as Manager — Oncology/Critical Care — Gulf & State Market. In 2006 He was invited as Business Development Manager, Pharmaceutical division in CAP Papaellinas Ltd. Cyprus. In 2008 Thanasis worked as General Manager in Agentis Supplements (subsidiary of Medochemie Ltd), Cyprus. He joined AVVA as Bussiness Development director in 2014. Soon after, he was offered on position CEO, where he is currently. He has rich experience in resarch and development of pharmaceuticals products. Thanasis was Independent Consultant in: Clinical trial Protocol Design for the REHYPE (Resvertrol Effects on Hypertension), Clinical trial Design for: A new treatment approach for Onychomychosis, Development of ONMY cream for the treatment Onychomychosis, Patent pending: P103394GB.

General Director

Artemiy A. Sergeev, MD, PhD, Doctor of Sciences (Medicine)