Hugo Defendi holds a PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Process Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), with research focused on Technological Innovation Management in Processes and Products. He earned a Master’s degree in Immunobiological Technology from Fiocruz/Bio-Manguinhos, specializing in Technology Foresight, and a postgraduate degree in Regulatory Affairs for the Pharmaceutical Industry from ICTQ. He is a Pharmaceutical Biochemist, qualified in Clinical and Industrial Analysis from the Federal University of Ouro Preto. He has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in product research and development, covering areas such as nanotechnology, pharmaceutical development, clinical development of biopharmaceuticals, and pharmacovigilance. He has also worked in business development for public-private partnerships and technology transfer projects. Currently, he manages the portfolio of technological development projects (vaccines and biopharmaceuticals) at the Innovation Directorate of Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz.