Juan Lama

Biography

Dr. Lama founded RetroVirox in 2008 and has led the company’s  Scientific efforts since its inception. He obtained his Ph.D. from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid studying the molecular basis of poliovirus replication. Dr. Lama has over 25 years of virology experience working in renowned institutions in the US (Salk Institute, University of California San Diego) and abroad  (Pasteur Institute, Paris; Center for Molecular Biology, Madrid). Early in his career he researched the molecular basis of viral pathogenesis, focusing on picornaviruses and later on retroviruses, making seminal discoveries elucidating the reason why the HIV virus downmodulates its own receptor. He has been the recipient of over a dozen grant awards from Federal, State and international institutions, including seven NIH awards to RetroVirox totaling over $5M to fund several R&D projects. He also implemented the contract research organization (CRO) unit at RetroVirox offering antiviral testing to companies worldwide and supporting the preclinical efforts of several experimental drugs now in human trials.

Research Interest

 Biotechnology