Specialist investors.
Engaged shareholders.

Pietro Puglisi

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.

EducationMSc in Biomedical Engineering; MBA, Collège des Ingénieurs.

Ciro Spedaliere

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 centres on topics at the intersection of technology transfer and investing, teaches venture capital in business schools, and serves on the boards of several biotech companies.

EducationMSc in Management Engineering; Venture Capital Executive Program, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Giulia Vestri

Giulia is Partner at Claris Ventures. A scientist by training with a PhD in Immunology and 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.

EducationPhD in Immunology; Executive MBA, SDA Bocconi School of Management.

Paolo Vigo

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.

EducationMechanical Engineering; MBA, Collège des Ingénieurs.

Gianmarco Pallavicini

Gianmarco 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.

Before 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.

EducationPhD in Molecular Medicine, University of Turin.

Giuditta Magnifico

Giuditta is an Associate at Claris Ventures. A biomedical engineer by training, she supports the sourcing and assessment of early-stage biotech opportunities, contributing to scientific and strategic due diligence, competitive analyses and portfolio-related activities.

Before 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 public-private collaborations.

EducationMSc in Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano; study experience at the American University of Science & Technology, Lebanon.

Raffaele Troya

Raffaele oversees finance and administration at Claris Ventures. He previously gained experience in audit, post-deal accounting and financial analysis for large organisations, as well as exposure to early-stage investment processes.

EducationMSc in Corporate Finance and Financial Markets, University of Turin.

Araceli Albano

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.

EducationDegree in Economics and Business Administration.

Roberto De Ponti

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 programmes from preclinical stages onward.

Laura Iris Ferro

Laura is a healthcare executive and entrepreneur with medical and business training. 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.

EducationMD; MBA, Bocconi University, Milan.

Manilo Marocco

Manilo is a finance professional with three decades of experience across investment banking and private equity. His background includes roles in European capital markets, fund management and seed and impact investing initiatives.

EducationEconomics, Turin.

Michael Hodges

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 Entrepreneur in Residence 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 financing, strategic and M&A outcomes.

EducationMD (MBBS) and BSc in Pharmacology, University of London, UK.

Luca Melindo

Luca is a financial executive with broad experience in the origination, evaluation and management of private equity transactions across industries, with a track record including development capital, buyouts and listings.

Cristina Tumiatti

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.

EducationMSc in Business Administration, LIUC; MBA, SAA Turin.