Despite my training as an aircraft technician, I have always been fascinated by biology and medicine. After doing my community service in a drug counseling center, I studied medical engineering, specializing in cell and tissue engineering. There I was able to gain my first experience with tissue engineering and was engaged in the development of bioreactors for the cultivation of cartilage tissue. When I had to learn about the relevance of this field on my own body due to a meniscus injury, I delved into the physiological processes and came across the endocannabinoid system. Out of curiosity I tried to medicate my injuries with hemp extracts and was fascinated by the physiological relevance of the characteristic ingredients – the cannabinoids. After completing several internships at IMP Vienna and moving my focus to brain research, I really became aware of the role of the endocannabinoid system.
I founded a start-up with my friends and still long-time business partners to produce and market hemp extracts throughout europe. At the same time, I pursued a master’s degree in neuroscience and specialized in cannabinoids. At the Center for Brain Research I investigated the effects of phytocannabinoids on GABAA receptors in the lab while I was engaged in the production of hemp extracts on the business side.
As a pioneer in Austria we succeeded with cannhelp in the first successful production of CO2 extracts and our company established itself as one of the pioneers in this industry. To date, I have co-developed more than 50 products in the field of nutritional supplements, aroma products, medical products and cosmetics and I am active in our group of companies as managing director and medical product consultant.
As a consultant, I was also able to gather experience in the field of regulatory affairs during this time and contributed to the approval of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. On an international level, I was able to participate in the planning of a research facility for medical cannabis in Thailand. I am a quality representative for ISO 9001 and have the qualification as a business manager to develop and market medical devices.
I have a good network in the hemp industry, both medical and recreational, and I am actively involved in the development of innovative applications of cannabinioids, scientific work, as well as the destigmatization of hemp in society. I am also happy to support like-minded projects because my experience as an entrepreneur has made me a believer in synergistic approaches.
2023/01 - now
Business Development & Marketing - Trigal Pharma
Marketing and business development management role. Conception of marketing activities and web development
Market research of cannabinoid API
Lead Generation
Supplier search and negotiations
Customer acquisition
Preparation of scientific marketing documentation
2021/09 - now
Chief Executive Officer - cannmedic GmbH
Management and business executive role. Medical Device Consultant. Product manager and sales representative for the distribution of new cannabinoid based medical devices (Suppositories) especially in the gynecology and urology sector.
2021/01 - now
Chief Executive Officer - cannhelp GmbH
Management and business executive role in an Austrian CBD and hemp pioneer with focus on product development, quality management and business development. Directed full development lifecycle, including formulation, design and production support of CANNEXOL®, a cannabis based product line. Oversaw the preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails and other collateral and designed graphics for websites, logos and promotions for marketing purposes. Managed production levels, identified material shortages and monitored inventory levels to meet order delivery requirements. Followed and updated quality control standards, methods and procedures to meet compliance requirements and communicated with suppliers on raw material specifications and loan production. Attended bridal industry events to promote services and build relationships with prospective vendors.
2019/07 - 2020/03
Consultant - CC Insights & Network GmbH
Advised on design and planning of a research and cultivation facility for medical cannabis in Thailand. Evaluated analytical instruments, extraction and processing equipment and projected expenditures for possible project stages. Researched latest market trends to provide insights in product development and formulation within the cannabis space. Investigated and addressed business development challenges to gain business relations.
2019/02 - 2019/05
Consultant - Michor Consulting
Consulted international customers on regulatory applications of medical devices and pharmaceutical products. Worked with internal team members to accomplish regulatory goals for clients in the pharmaceutical industry (eCTD of biosimilars module 3) and medical devices (MDR technical files). Implemented marketing strategies, providing solutions to meet the demands of the industry. Reached out to potential customers via telephone, email and in-person inquiries.
2015/08 - 2017/02
Diploma Student - Center for Brain Research Vienna
Two Electrode Voltage clamp and patch clamp technique in Xenopus laevis oocytes, HEK cells and mouse brain slices. Evaluated the effects of cannabinoids on GABAA receptor subtypes. Recorded, reported and posted electrophysiological test results using pCLAMP and GraphPadPrism. - Ass. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Margot Ernst, PhD, -Univ. Prof. Dr. Tibor Harkany, FSB Department of Molecular Neurosciences - CBR Vienna, -Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Lukas Weigel, -Univ. Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Kress
Clinical Department for Special Anesthesia and Pain Therapy - AKH Vienna
2013/04 - 2013/05
Graduate Student Intern - IMP Vienna
Calcium imaging experiments on oxygen sensitive neurons in C. elegans worms. - Ass. Prof. Alipasha Vaziri, PhD, Dynamics of coupled biological systems - IMP Vienna - Univ. Prof. Manuel Zimmer, PhD, Neural Network Dynamics and Behavior - IMP Vienna
2012/02 - 2012/06
Bachelor Student - IMP Vienna
Developed a motion tracked video control for optogenetic laser stimulation. Performed stereotactic surgerys in mice brains. Conducted optogenetic controlled behavioral experiments in mice. Performed histopathological methods in mice. - Univ. Prof. Wulf Haubensak, PhD, Circuit mechanics of emotional behavior - IMP Vienna
2010/09 - 2012/01
Laboratory Associate - UAS Technikum Vienna
Development of bioreactors for cartilage tissue culture. - FH-Prof. Mag. Dr. Dominik Rünzler, Dep. of Cell and Tissue Engineering - UAS Technikum Vienna
2012/10 - 2017/03
MSc in Molecular Biology - Neuroscience
University of Vienna
2009/09 - 2012/06
BSc in Biomedical Engineering - Cell and Tissue Engineering
University of Applied Sciences Technikum Vienna
2003/09 - 2008/06
High School Diploma
Polytechnic School for Aeronautics - HTBLA Eisenstadt
07/2021
Trainer examination § 29g Vocational Training Act, iL Institut für Aus- und Weiterbildung
07/2021
Production and trade of medical devices Wirtschaftskammer Wien ID: B-1387-03976/2021
12/2020
Quality representative for ISO9001:2015
WIFI Wien
ID: QB20W0156
valid until: 12/2023