Company overview
Phytor Ltd. is a life sciences company specializing in providing solutions and product development for different biological systems, specifically targeting the fields of oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Our motto is: "inspired by nature".
Natural products have long been a proven source of pharma discovery. The renewed interest in the investigation of biologically active compounds of natural origin in the last decade has led to the introduction of several important drugs, especially in the field of oncology and neurology.
Our lab specializes in biologically led assays, as well as a structure-activity relationship and the synthesis of novel chemical entities. Using derivatives of plant isolated molecules we have achieved a library of molecules that are candidates for drug development against a variety of cancers, especially for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In addition, our library of molecules can be used as tools for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. Our team is comprised of pharmacists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and biochemists who have joined forces with the goal of isolating active compounds of plant origin and developing them into therapeutic agents.
Phytor also provides a range of services and outsourcing R&D in strategic partnerships with a variety of companies in the life science industry in Israel and abroad.
Mazal Korchia-Maor is the co-founder of Phytor Ltd. She has over 20 years of experience in management and marketing with a robust background in business administration which includes a specialization in management of information systems.
Before her work at Phytor, Mazal worked for different companies in Israel, France, and the US. Her passion and experience in building businesses from scratch provides her the skills to manage complex issues in a wide span of different industries ranging from high tech to the food industry and to biotech.
Mazal Maor,
CEO and COO
Dr. Yehoshua Maor is the founder and senior consultant at Phytor Ltd. He completed his graduate studies at the Hebrew University followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Harvard Institutes of Medicine. He then shifted his career back to Israel as the coordinator of the Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health.
Dr. Maor's expertise includes a wide range of knowledge in multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary areas such as medicinal, organic and analytical chemistry, cannabinoids, pharmacology, toxicology, and environmental health. Dr. Maor is currently the CEO and CTO of a new start-up company Resorcix Ltd., a life sciences company developing solutions for the microbiology challenges of the food industry.
Yehoshua Maor, PhD
Founder and Senior Consultant
Our team
Raphael Serruya is graduated in pharmacy and biochemistry and is currently the lab manager and R&D head at Phytor lab for drug development. He completed his Ph.D at the Hebrew University in microbiology and molecular genetics under the supervision of Prof. Nayef Jarrous.
His research focused on revealing new roles and mechanisms of the RNase P molecule in the transcription machinery of human cells. In recognition of his excellence in studies, he was awarded the Harry and Sylvia Hoffman scholarship in 2013.
At Phytor Ltd, Raphael is leading a promising project for the development of a novel plant based drug to treat pancreatic cancers.
Raphael Serruya, PhD
Lab Manager
Hanna Hamou-Kohane is head of the chemistry department. She has masters degrees in both Chemical Engineering from the École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC), Nancy, France and Organic Chemistry from the University of Strabourg, France. She also has considerable experience in industrialization projects of targeted compounds. Her education and experience allowed her to develop excellent skills in the design of products on both small and large scales.
Hannah Hamou-Kohane
Director of Chemistry Department
Dr. Izak Millman is a senior synthetic chemist with a PhD in organic chemistry from Latvia. He has over fifty years of experience working in chemistry R&D, including at big companies such as Teva, Sigma-Aldrich, and Merck. His expertise in chemical synthesis are a valuable asset to the Phytor development team.
Izak Millman, PhD
Organic Synthetic Chemist
Omri Duev has a master's degree in cell biology and immunology as well as extensive knowledge of plant diversity and characteristics. His studies focused on the liver regeneration immune mechanism following partial hepatectomy.
He participated in the Bio-Xplore project, an EU-funded venture which explored the medicinal potential of natural flora growing in the Mediterranean Basin.
His experience in both biology and gardening makes him a key member of the Phytor team.
Omri Duev
Biology R&D
Ahuva Friedman
Biology R&D
Ahuva Friedman has a B.Sc in Biomedical Science from North Park University in Chicago and experience working with biological assays from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda. Aside from her R&D work, she also uses her experience as a science and health columnist to aid in the writing of all of our publications.
