Lidija Marusic, Innovacorp

Dr. Lidija Marusic is an investment manager at Innovacorp, where her focus is on identifying attractive seed and early stage investment opportunities in the life sciences sectors. She manages all aspects of the investment review, approval and closing cycle, and works hands-on with Innovacorp’s portfolio companies to assist them in accelerating their growth, achieving milestones and securing additional financing. She also manages the organization’s Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Lidija has extensive experience in the commercialization of life sciences technologies, along with a solid background in business, academic research, and innovation.

Prior to joining Innovacorp, Lidija was an independent consultant providing technology assessment and business development services to the local life sciences industry. She was also previously an investment analyst with MedInnova Partners Inc., a seed fund focusing on commercializing biomedical discoveries. Lidija established MedInnova’s Halifax office, assessed investment opportunities, negotiated investment agreements, and worked with investees to develop R&D plans, manage intellectual property, and plan for the next stage of business growth.

Concurrent to her work with MedInnova, Lidija was a lead investment analyst in neurosciences for MDS Capital Corp. (now Lumira Capital) in Toronto. She completed market, scientific and financial due diligence for MDS Capital investment groups related to investment opportunities typically in later stages of the commercialization cycle.

Lidija holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Zagreb in Croatia, a PhD in molecular genetics from the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy, and an MBA from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Lidija served on the International Peer Review Panel for the Canadian Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) and on the Proof of Principle Peer Review Committee of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). She is also a member of the board of directors for Appili Therapeutics and DGI Clinical, and a board observer at ABK Biomedical and Densitas.