Roger Esteban Vives

I am currently a Innovation Manager within a research group called BIOsignal Analysis for Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Group (BIOART) at UPC, with the main aim to transfer the technology developed by the group.

The group applies engineering techniques to the medical field to improve rehabilitation processes and clinical therapies. These are evaluated and monitored through multichannel biosignal processing. Algorithms are efficiently designed so that the same techniques adapt and apply to respiratory, neuromuscular, and neurological studies.

My main role in leading entrepreneurship initiatives within the group to transfer our technologies through a spin-off. This is a transversal role providing support for product development, including intellectual property, technology transfer, QA, regulatory, and business approaches in activities leading to the achievement of a commercially available product.

My previous experience in entrepreneurship includes participation in a US-based startup called Renovacare Inc., a biotech pharma aimed to create a cell therapy to enhance wound healing in patients with extensive 2n-3rd degree burn wounds. I played the role of Vice President of Research and Product Development, where I led a team of engineers and cell biologists to create 2 medical devices for cell isolation and cell deposition, in addition to the development of 3 enzymes for the cell isolation process. I have experience in FDA regulatory and clinical assays, where I played an active role.

 I created CellSciTech Ltd., a scientific consultancy company specialized in the healthcare and life sciences sector. The company provides information on the most innovative clinical devices, cell-based technologies, and emerging biotechnological companies. It serves companies in the US, UK, and Germany.

 My previous experience was in the academy, doing basic and applied research in wound healing at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA, US). My previous research as a PhD student included using reverse genetics in yeast and rice to improve the organism’s productive capabilities and increase its commercial and application value.