Biotechnology venture studio AION Labs has appointed Dr. Ilana Mandel as its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Dr. Shira Warszawski as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), as the company seeks to expand its work in developing technologies for pharmaceutical research and development.
The Rehovot, Israel-based company said the appointments would strengthen its ability to identify, develop and accelerate innovative technologies addressing major challenges across pharmaceutical R&D.
The new executives will oversee scientific and technology strategies as AION Labs expands its venture-building activities into additional areas of pharmaceutical research.
Ilana Mandel to Lead Scientific Strategy
Dr. Ilana Mandel joins AION Labs with more than 15 years of experience in drug discovery and development, having worked on therapeutic programmes from early scientific research through clinical development.
Before joining AION Labs, Mandel served as Chief Scientific Officer at Biond Biologics, where she led the development of first-in-human drug candidates and contributed significantly to the company’s licensing agreement with Sanofi.
She previously led research activities at cCAM Biotherapeutics, remaining with the company through its acquisition by MSD.
In her new position, Mandel will oversee AION Labs’ scientific direction, identifying biological and therapeutic opportunities that could form the foundation for future companies and technology platforms.
Shira Warszawski Appointed Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Shira Warszawski brings more than 15 years of experience in computational protein design, biotherapeutic research and development, global pharmaceutical operations and biotechnology startups.
Her previous roles include leading therapeutic protein design at Merck KGaA, overseeing CRISPR nuclease engineering teams at Emendo Bio and directing protein design software development at Scala Biodesign.
As Chief Technology Officer, Warszawski will be responsible for developing AION Labs’ technology strategy.
Her responsibilities will include identifying and assessing emerging technologies and translating promising capabilities into platforms and companies capable of addressing significant challenges in pharmaceutical R&D.
Yair Benita Moves to Lead AI Drug Development Company
The appointments also coincide with a leadership transition involving Dr. Yair Benita, AION Labs’ Co-Founder and outgoing Chief Technology Officer.
Benita will leave his position at AION Labs to lead Phindex, a company developed within the venture studio.
Phindex is developing an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to help biotechnology companies navigate the drug development process, from an initial molecule through to Investigational New Drug (IND) submission.
Ram Waisbourd Joins as Venture Partner
AION Labs has also appointed biotechnology executive Ram Waisbourd as Venture Partner.
Waisbourd will contribute to the strategic development and growth of companies within AION Labs’ portfolio while supporting its venture creation activities.
He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology industry, including 10 years at Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Waisbourd also co-founded 89bio, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer.
He subsequently worked as a business development advisor to the company through its $3.5 billion acquisition by Roche in 2025.
AION Labs Expands Its Venture Creation Track Record
Established in 2021, AION Labs was founded by AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer and Teva, alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amiti Ventures and the Israel Biotech Fund, with support from the Israel Innovation Authority.
Led by Chief Executive Officer Mati Gill, the venture studio brings together pharmaceutical companies, technology providers, scientific professionals and venture capital to develop emerging technologies into businesses and commercial products.
Since its establishment, AION Labs has built 12 startups, completed more than 22 Proof of Concept projects and recorded its first exit earlier in 2026, following the acquisition of CombinAble.AI by Silicon Valley-based insitro.
New Leadership to Support Expansion Into Emerging Technologies
The company plans to extend its venture-building model into additional scientific and technological areas across pharmaceutical research and development.
Its approach involves identifying significant challenges in pharmaceutical R&D, evaluating technologies capable of addressing those problems and establishing companies and platforms around the most promising opportunities in collaboration with its partners.
The appointments of Mandel, Warszawski and Waisbourd are expected to strengthen the company’s scientific, technological and commercial capabilities as it pursues this expansion.
AION Labs operates as a venture studio and innovation platform focused on transforming drug discovery and development through the creation and acceleration of technology companies addressing challenges across the pharmaceutical industry.
