Michele Garufi, Pharm D, Chairman and CEO, co-founded Nicox in 1996, with  the goal of addressing innovative therapies based on nitric oxide (NO) donation to patients and doctors. Since then, Nicox has developed a world-leading position in Nitric Oxide donation research. The Company is now focusing its activities in the ophthalmic field, with several promising NO-donating  compounds in its pipeline.

Michele, born in 1954 in Milano, Italy, graduated with full honors in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Milan in 1977 and obtained as well a Pharmacist Degree in 1989.

Michele has extensive experience in partnerships development, licensing agreements and international marketing in the European pharmaceutical  industry. In his career he also served as a Board member for Novuspharma Srl, Novexel SA, and he was co-founder and Board member of Scharper SpA, of  Delife Srl and of Relivia Srl all successfully sold to Pharma Specialty Companies.

Presently, he is a Board member and shareholder of OncoBiotek, a French company active in cancer treatments for dogs, and of Novaera srl, an Italian private Dermatology Research Company