Robert has been an active serial entrepreneur in the life sciences sector in North America for over 25 years. Robert has founded, or helped found, biotechnology companies developing diagnostics, cancer therapy, vaccine enhancement technologies, neurological drug discovery and consumer health products. He has held leading roles in several US and Canadian agricultural biotech companies, including the first forest biotechnology company in Canada, and has become particularly knowledgeable in the commercial development of botanical extracts and natural active compounds.
Robert has attracted over $15 million in investment as the founder of a consumer health products company from both high net worth angels and venture capital players in North America and overseas. As a co-founder in several other technology companies, he has assisted in placing venture funding and has led or participated in several M&A negotiations and processes. He has also sourced significant Canadian government funding for several ventures, as well as numerous forms of debt financing vehicles.
With a full knowledge base in technology patenting and licensing, Cervelli has successfully marketed patent pending technologies worldwide. He has directed or assisted in international partner identification, negotiations and license or distribution agreement structuring for a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, veterinary medicine, consumer health products, biotechnology and other fields. Robert’s expertise and knowledge encompasses the full range of capital sourcing, intellectual property and partnering needs for early-stage technology companies.
Mr. Cervelli has spent several years in a leading Canadian university industry liaison office, providing valuable experience in patenting, technology marketing and licensing. He holds a B.Sc. degree (Forestry) from Purdue University and a M.Sc. (Botany) from the University of Wisconsin. He continues to consult for several leading private and public life science initiatives.
Robert assists individuals and start-up companies with mentoring advice on most aspects of product or service concept, commercialization and market access, as well as start-up financing options and business planning.