Investment Team
Pietro Puglisi
Managing partner
Pietro is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Claris Ventures. A biomedical engineer with an MBA from Collège des Ingénieurs, he brings a background spanning life sciences management consulting and venture investing. He serves on the boards of several biotech companies and enjoys working at the intersection of rigorous science and patient impact. Education: MSc in Biomedical Engineering; MBA, Collège des Ingénieurs.
Pietro Puglisi
Managing Partner
Ciro Spedaliere
Managing partner
Ciro is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Claris Ventures. His background spans venture capital, product management and strategic planning. He collaborates with universities and research centers on topics at the intersection of technology transfer and investing, and teaches venture capital in business schools. He also serves on the boards of several biotech companies. Education: MSc in Management Engineering; Venture Capital Executive Program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business
Ciro Spedaliere
Managing Partner
Giulia Vestri
Partner
Giulia is Partner at Claris Ventures. A scientist by training (PhD in Immunology) with an Executive MBA, she brings a background across business development and strategic roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Her work has focused on turning strong science into actionable plans across R&D and market contexts. Education: PhD in Immunology; Executive MBA, SDA Bocconi School of Management.
Giulia Vestri
Partner
Paolo Vigo
Investment Manager
Paolo is Investment Manager at Claris Ventures. Trained as a mechanical engineer and an MBA graduate from the Collège des Ingénieurs, he works at the interface of data analysis and early-stage biotech. Before joining Claris, he held operational roles in biotech companies and conducted research at the Polytechnic University of Turin developing neural-network models for data analysis. Education: Mechanical Engineering; MBA, Collège des Ingénieurs.
Paolo Vigo
Investment Manager
Gianmarco Pallavicini
Senior Associate
Gianmarco Pallavicini is a Senior Associate at Claris Ventures. With a strong scientific background in molecular biotechnology and neuroscience, he supports early-stage biotech investments through scientific assessment, due diligence, and portfolio company support. Prior to joining Claris, he gained extensive research experience in neuro-oncology and neurodevelopment, working on translational projects funded by competitive grants and collaborating with international academic institutions. He also developed hands-on exposure to biotech innovation and ecosystem building through his experience with Bio4Dreams and Fondazione Telethon. Education: PhD in Molecular Medicine (University of Turin)
Gianmarco Pallavicini
Senior Associate
Giuditta Magnifico
Associate
Giuditta is an Associate at Claris Ventures. A biomedical engineer by training, she supports sourcing and assessment of early-stage biotech opportunities, contributing to scientific and strategic due diligence, competitive analyses and portfolio-related activities. Prior to joining Claris Ventures, she gained hands-on experience at the interface of science, funding strategy, and data management at Fondazione Telethon, including peer review of research projects, evaluation of funding initiatives, and involvement in public-private collaborations. Education: MSc in Biomedical Engineering (Politecnico di Milano, top honors); study experience at the American University of Science & Technology (Lebanon).
Giuditta Magnifico
Associate
Finance and Administration
Raffaele Troya
Finance & Administration Manager
Raffaele oversees finance and administration. He holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance and Financial Markets and previously gained experience in audit, post-deal accounting and financial analysis for large organizations, as well as exposure to early-stage investment processes. Education: MSc in Corporate Finance and Financial Markets, University of Turin.
Raffaele Troya
Finance & Administration Manager
Araceli Albano
Internal Accounting & Administration
Araceli supports internal accounting and administration at Claris Ventures. She has experience in general accounting, administrative operations, and payroll-related processes, and works closely with the finance team and external advisors to support day-to-day financial and operational activities. Previously, she held accounting and administrative roles in Italy and Argentina within structured corporate environments. Education: Degree in Economics and Business Administration.
Araceli Albano
Internal Accounting & Administration
Advisors
Roberto De Ponti
Senior Advisor
Roberto is a pharmacist and EU Qualified Person with deep experience in pharmaceutical development, corporate ventures and strategic investments, particularly across oncology and rare diseases. His background covers licensing, alliances with academic and industry partners, and stewardship of development programs from preclinical stages onward.
Roberto De ponti
Senior Advisor
Laura Irisi Ferro
Senior Advisor
Laura is a healthcare executive and entrepreneur with medical and business training (MD and MBA). Her career spans leadership across pharma and biotech, including founding and scaling ventures through international milestones. She has held multiple board and governance roles in life sciences and innovation. Education: MD; MBA, Bocconi University (Milan).
Laura Iris Ferro
Senior Advisor
Manilo Marocco
Senior Advisor
Manilo is a finance professional with three decades across investment banking and private equity. His experience includes roles in European capital markets, fund management and seed/impact investing initiatives. Education: Economics, Turin.
Manilo Marocco
Senior Advisor
Michael Hodges
Entrepreneur in Residence
Michael brings decades of experience as a pharmaceutical physician and biotech drug developer, with deep expertise in RNA therapeutics, infectious diseases and clinical development. In his EIR role, Michael supports scientific evaluation, portfolio strategy, and engagement with founders and research leaders to accelerate early-stage biotech ventures. Previously, he held senior drug development leadership roles in both large pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech firms, contributing to multiple successful financing, strategic and M&A outcomes. Education: M.D. (MBBS) and BSc in Pharmacology, University of London, UK.
Michael Hodges
Entrepreneur in Residence
Luca Melindo
Senior Advisor
Luca is a financial executive with broad experience in origination, evaluation and management of private equity transactions across industries, with a track record including development capital, buyouts and listings.
Luca Melindo
Senior Advisor
Cristina Tumiatti
indipendent Director
Cristina is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in international business development. She has served on governance bodies within the Italian innovation ecosystem and contributed to the launch and growth of investment platforms. Education: MSc in Business Administration (LIUC, Castellanza); MBA (SAA, Turin).