Dr Nicole van der Weerden has over 15 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology industry, driving business objectives including pre-clinical discovery, proof-of-concept, manufacturing, and clinical
development.
Prior to becoming the chief operating officer of Arovella Therapeutics in January 2023, Dr van der Weerden was the chief operating officer and executive director of ASX-listed biotechnology company Hexima where she led the strategic pivot of the company from an agricultural biotechnology company to a human therapeutics company. She also led the financing and development strategy, pre-clinical and clinical programs, manufacturing and worldwide patent strategy for Hexima’s lead asset, pezadeftide.
Dr van der Weerden holds a PhD in Biochemistry from La Trobe University. Her PhD research on the antifungal properties and mechanism of action of plant defensins led to the award of a prestigious Victoria Fellowship in 2006. She also holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
