Constructive Interference: Harnessing the Power of Signals in Biology and Life

What if we had a single treatment for all chronic immune diseases? What if, instead of only treating symptoms of diseases, we can address the underlying drivers, bring true relief to patients? At Noa Therapeutics, we are challenging the current treatment paradigm with our innovative medicines for the treatment of complex immune diseases.

In this talk, I will take you through the journey of Noa Therapeutics from ideation to incorporation to investment, illustrating that not all innovative ideas need to be born from an academic lab. In the 3 short years since incorporation, Noa Therapeutics has rapidly advanced their small molecules targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis and gastrointestinal indications.

In addition, I will share my complete career journey through Engsci, graduate school, and beyond where my greatest takeaways have been learning how to learn, asking for help, and fostering the growth of my personal network.

Speaker bio:

Serena Mandla, P.Eng., MASc., is the Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder of Noa Therapeutics, preclinical biotech company based in JLABS pioneering the development of novel biased small molecule therapeutics to reestablish innate immune equilibrium for diseases such as atopic dermatitis and IBD/ulcerative colitis. At Noa Therapeutics, Serena leads the Research and Development team and their efforts to advance their first product into the clinic, while expanding their drug discovery efforts to identify novel small molecule compounds.   

Prior to Noa Therapeutics, Serena was involved in a spin-out from her MASc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, Quthero Inc., where Serena has successfully raised financing and commercialized products for accelerating skin repair. She has over 15 scientific papers, from her research at the University of Toronto, and Harvard and is passionate about translating research and bringing it to the clinic and is looking forward to seeing and developing new technologies and treatments.  

Outside of work, Serena is avidly involved as a mentor with underrepresented scientific youth through the U of T Alumni Mentorship Program, the Canadian Biomaterials Society, and has delivered talks on entrepreneurship at Queens University, Western University, and the University of Toronto, and was recently awarded the Engineering Medal - Young Engineer by OSPE.