Dr. Stella Vnook profile page

Dr. Stella Vnook is a distinguished pharmaceutical executive, visionary leader and highly respected CEO and founder in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. With a formidable career spanning over 25 years, Vnook has shaped the trajectory of global powerhouses like Merck & Co., Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Catalent, as well as emerging startups. Vnook's journey began in molecular biology and drug discovery research at Temple University School of Medicine, where she made groundbreaking strides. She holds a doctorate in public health/healthcare economics, alongside an array of degrees, including pharmacy with specializations in pharmacology and oncology, an MBA with a focus in global marketing and additional studies in biology, anthropology and mathematics. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found MaiCell, NAKI Therapeutics and ST Therapeutics. As CEO of Diverse Biotech, she created a new conjugated platform in oncology and rare disease therapies, ultimately culminating in the company’s exit to Enveric BioSciences, which debuted on NASDAQ in 2021. Her acumen for strategic acquisitions and exits was sparked during her tenure at Merck, where she played a pivotal role in the Schering-Plough acquisition and the successful IPO of Catalent following the R.P. Scherer acquisition in Germany. Vnook’s passion for transformative healthcare solutions inspired her next venture, OralBioLife, where groundbreaking innovations in bone regeneration are addressing periodontal disease. At Likarda Biotech, where she currently serves as CEO, Vnook is leading the charge in cell therapy and regenerative medicine, positioning the company at the forefront of pioneering drug delivery solutions for cell therapy. In addition to her role as CEO of Likarda, Vnook is the founder and chair of OralBioLife and an advisor to influential biotech startups such as Brainstorm Therapeutics (a UPenn spin-out), TheraPallet/VitalTE and Kaida Biopharma.