WHO WE ARE
HOPEC Pharma is a clinical-stage biotech company developing Inactivated UPEC-FimON, a non-intravesical immunotherapy for NMIBC. Founded by seasoned executives from the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, the company integrates deep clinical insight with business excellence to bring breakthrough science from the lab to the clinic.
OUR VISION
HOPEC Pharma aims to transform the way non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is treated by developing an innovative, safe, and accessible immunotherapy that offers patients a higher chance of recovery while preserving their quality of life.
OUR CORE VALUES
Patient Focus – improving patients’ outcomes is at the core of every decision and action we take.
VISION STATEMENT
We aim to be a global leader in innovative cancer therapies, offering hope and extending lives through advanced research and technology.
MISSION STATEMENT
We strive to revolutionize Bladder Cancer treatment through innovative therapies, extending lives and restoring hope to patients worldwide.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Hopec Pharma is guided by a team of visionary leaders with deep expertise in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and business development. Our leadership team brings together decades of experience in drug development, strategic planning, and innovation, all united by a shared commitment to transforming the treatment landscape for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC).
Estee Rosen MBA
Co-Founder & CEO
Estee Rosen brings over 30 years of leadership in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and optical industries. She served as General Manager of Novartis Consumer Health Israel, where she established and led the company to a leading market position, later expanding her responsibilities to Greece and Cyprus. She went on to found Blueyes, build it into a market leader, and successfully sell it to Coopervision in a strategic exit. At HOPEC Pharma, Estee leads the company’s strategy, fundraising, investor relations, and business development, directing its growth and shaping its long-term vision. Her broad business acumen and decisive leadership ensure that every aspect of the company’s progress from strategic planning to clinical and commercial execution is managed with precision, efficiency, and excellence.
Gadi Klarsfeld, MBA, B. Pharm
Co-Founder & COO
Gadi Klarsfeld brings over 30 years of executive experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and technology-driven operations. He served as CEO and senior executive in leading international companies, where he established and managed large-scale retail and pharmacy operations across Israel and Europe. He also co-founded Cannabotech, leading the company from concept to IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. At HOPEC Pharma, Gadi oversees the company’s operational, technological, and clinical infrastructure and plays an active role in the overall management and leadership of the company. His strategic insight, deep understanding of complex systems, broad experience, and hands-on approach ensure that every stage of development from research through clinical execution is managed with precision, efficiency, and excellence.
Esti Hayun, CPA, B.B.A. , LL.M.
CFO
Esti Hayun brings over 20 years of senior financial leadership experience in life sciences, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. She has served as CFO in private and public companies, leading financial strategy, fundraising ,corporate governance, and complex financial transactions. Esti led the IPO of Proteologics Ltd. on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and has supported R&D-driven organizations from early development through advanced clinical and corporate stages. At HOPEC Pharma, Esti leads the company’s financial planning, reporting, and investor relations, and plays a key role in strategic and executive decision-making.
Dr. Ilan Winkler, Ph.D.
VP of Drug Development
Dr. Ilan Winkler brings over 20 years of international experience in drug development, toxicology, and regulatory strategy. He has led preclinical and translational programs across multiple therapeutic areas, guiding compounds from discovery to clinical readiness. Before joining HOPEC Pharma, he held senior R&D positions in leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies, overseeing pharmacology, safety, and bioanalytical programs. At HOPEC Pharma, Ilan leads all aspects of drug development, including manufacturing, translational research, and biomarker studies supporting the clinical program. He directs scientific efforts to deepen product understanding and clarify its mechanism of action, ensuring that the company’s innovative immunotherapy advances with precision, efficiency, and scientific excellence through every stage of clinical development.
Shoshi Friedman, RN, B.Sc.
VP Clinical Development
Shoshi Friedman brings over 25 years of global experience in clinical research and development, having most recently served as Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Operations at Teva Pharmaceuticals. In this role, she led worldwide clinical activities across multiple therapeutic areas, overseeing the planning, design, and execution of hundreds of clinical trials from early phase to registration. At HOPEC Pharma, Shoshi leads the entire clinical development process, from protocol design and strategic planning to site selection, CRO oversight, and investigator engagement across leading hospitals. Her deep expertise, strategic perspective, and proven leadership ensure that every clinical program is executed with scientific rigor, operational excellence, and full regulatory and ethical compliance.
Yochai Avrahami, B.Sc., MBA
QA Manager
Yochai Avrahami brings over 20 years of extensive experience in quality assurance, validation, and GMP manufacturing within the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries. He has designed, implemented, and managed comprehensive quality systems, process validation frameworks, risk management procedures, and regulatory compliance programs for leading life-science companies, including Ayana Pharma and Biohouse. Yochai oversees all QA activities across clinical, manufacturing, and product development operations at HOPEC Pharma, ensuring consistency, reliability, and adherence to global standards. Exceptional precision, deep technical knowledge, and a rigorous, detail-oriented approach safeguard every stage of the company’s work, ensuring that all programs advance with integrity, traceability, accuracy, and full compliance with international regulatory requirements.
SCIENTIFIC TEAM
Hopec Pharma’s Science Team comprises leading experts in bacterio-oncology, immunology, and urologic oncology. These distinguished researchers and clinicians, who are the inventors of UPEC-FimOn, provide the scientific foundation for our groundbreaking therapies and guide our mission to revolutionize bladder cancer treatment.
Prof. Gilad Bachrach
Head of Bacterial Therapeutic Development
A specialist in bacterio-oncology at the Hebrew University, Prof. Bachrach has pioneered the use of genetically modified bacteria to target cancer cells. His innovative research is the cornerstone of UPEC-FimON’s development.
Prof. Chamutal Gur
Head of Pipeline Development
An expert in immune-genomics and natural killer cells, Prof. Gur is a physician at Hadassah Medical Center and a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Her research focuses on cancer immunology and autoimmune diseases, and her work contributed to uncovering the mechanism of action of UPEC-FimON in recruiting the immune system to target bladder cancer cells.
Prof. Ofer Mandelbaum
Head of Immunotherapy Research
A leading expert in molecular immunology from Hebrew University, Prof. Mandelboim has made significant contributions to understanding the role of natural killer cells in cancer treatment. His research is instrumental in advancing the immunotherapeutic strategies behind UPEC-FimON.
Dr. Vladimir Yutkin
Head of Clinical Development
Dr. Yutkin, Director of Urologic Oncology, Hadassah Hospital, brings extensive clinical experience in treating bladder, prostate, and kidney cancers. His expertise in urologic oncology strengthens Hopec Pharma’s ability to develop and refine effective treatments for NMIBC.
ADVISORY BOARD
Hopec Pharma’s Advisory Board is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, oncology, and strategic business development. Their diverse insights and guidance are crucial to shaping Hopec Pharma’s strategic direction and ensuring the successful advancement of our innovative therapies.
Barry Greene
Tech Lead
Former CEO of Sage Therapeutics and President of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Barry Greene is a highly respected global biopharma leader with more than three decades of experience building innovative biotechnology companies and advancing transformative medicines from development through commercialization.
Prof. Raanan Berger
Product Manager
Director of the Cancer Center at Sheba Medical Center and Professor of Oncology at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Berger is a leading expert in oncology clinical research and early phase trials, with extensive experience advancing innovative cancer therapies in collaboration with global pharmaceutical companies.
Antony Walker, Ph.D.
Art Director
Co-founder and Managing Partner of Alacrita, Dr. Walker brings more than 30 years of experience in biotechnology strategy, venture creation, and drug development, advising biotechnology companies and investors on technology assessment, clinical development strategy, and value creation.
Shlomo Mena
Art Director
Former CEO and Country President of Novartis Israel, Shlomo Mena is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in commercial strategy, market access, and building successful pharmaceutical operations.
CORE VALUES
At Hopec Pharma, our core values drive our mission to transform cancer treatment.
These principles shape our culture and define our relationships with patients, partners, and each other.
Integrity
We maintain the highest ethical standards, building trust in our science and business practices.
Communication
We foster open, direct, and respectful dialogue, empowering the exchange of ideas and solutions.
Professionalism
We pursue excellence with dedication, consistently striving for breakthroughs in therapy.
Innovation
We tackle challenges with determination, pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment.
Compassion
We act with kindness and responsibility toward patients, colleagues, and the broader community.
Patient Focus
Improving patient outcomes is at the core of every decision and action we take.