Dr Zahra ABADA

Co-Founder & CEO

With a PhD from Paris-Saclay, Zahra brings extensive expertise to her role within ACTIV-H, where she is committed to driving innovation for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries through the development of unique R&D solutions. Her research spans biomimetic catalysis, continuous flow photochemistry, and superacid chemistry, with a special focus on advancing underexplored technologies for new molecule generation. Since 2018, Zahra has led the strategic treanfer of superacid chemistry from batch to continuous flow, resulting in proprietary technology, patenting, and the creation of ACTIV-H, a chemisty-based CRO at the forefront of chemical diversity for the pharmaceutical early research. As CEO, she sets the company’s strategic vision, directs scientific research, and oversees commercial initiatives to position ACTIV-H as a leader in supporting the drug discovery sector.

Prof Sébastien THIBAUDEAU

Co-Founder & CSO

Sébastien earned his PhD in 2002 at the University of Poitiers, where he researched Cinchona alkaloids under the supervision of Prof. Jean-Claude Jacquesy, focusing on their reactivity in superacid conditions. As a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow from 2002 to 2004, he joined Prof. Véronique Gouverneur’s laboratory at the University of Oxford, developing innovative fluorodesilylation methodologies. Appointed assistant professor at Poitiers in 2004, Sébastien advanced to full professor in 2015. He currently leads the superacid chemistry group and co-directs the organic synthesis team at the IC2MP Institute of Chemistry. His research, internationally recognized, focuses on the development of innovative superacid activation strategies, positioning his group among the leading teams worldwide in this field of superacids applied to organic synthesis. In 2023, he co-founded the CRO ACTIV-H, where he serves as Chief Scientific Officer and global strategy, spearheading collaborative scientific projectsand delivering cutting-edge solutions to the drug discovery sector.

Dr Lilian ALCARAZ

Strategy & Business Development -  Advisory Board

Lilian Alcaraz is a biopharmaceutical executive with over 28 years of experience in drug discovery, external innovation, and strategic partnerships. Until recently, he served as Vice President of Early Innovation Partnering for J&J Innovation EMEA at the London Innovation Centre, leading a team that identified, structured, and managed high-impact collaborations and investments across the region.

He and his team completed more than 75 transactions spanning small molecules, biologics, cell therapy, platform technologies, biomarkers, and digital health, across therapy areas, and he supported the Scientific Advisory Boards of FutuRx and an early-stage French venture fund.

Prior to J&J, Lilian held senior leadership roles at Charles River, Galapagos (formerly Argenta Discovery), and AstraZeneca, leading multidisciplinary R&D teams. He earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Louis Pasteur University (Strasbourg, France), completed postdoctoral studies at the University of York (UK), and holds a Certificate in Managerial Finance from the London School of Economics. An author or co-author of 80 publications, patents, and a book on Medicinal Chemistry, Lilian has contributed to the successful delivery of nine clinical candidates. 

Prof Surya PRAKASH

Strategy & Scientific -  Advisory Board

Professor Surya Prakash is holding the Olah Nobel Laureate Chair and the director of the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute at University of Southern California.

His research covers superacid, hydrocarbon, synthetic organic, organosilicon, electro- and organofluorine chemistry, with an emphasis on energy storage, greenhouse gas abatement and catalysis. He and his team is authored authored 1200+ publications, >120 patents and 14 books. He has received four American Chemical Society Awards and has shared with the late Professor Olah, the inaugural $1 Million the 2013 Eric and Sheila Samson Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation for developing the Methanol Economy Concept.

Prof Ingo KROSSING

Strategy & Scientific -  Advisory Board

Professor Ingo Krossing holds the Chair of Molecular and Coordination Chemistry at the University of Freiburg since 2006. An expert in ionic systems, from reactive cations to ionic liquids, his research spans electrochemical energy storage and the development of unified acidity and redox scales. He has authored over 330 publications, contributed to numerous books and chapters, holds around 15 patents, and has been awarded two ERC Advanced Grants. Professor Krossing is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, a Fellow of Chemistry Europe, and serves on several scientific boards. He also advises industrial partners in materials and ionic-liquid development, bringing his deep expertise to our Advisory Board.