Leadership
Our relentless pursuit of scientific excellence propels us toward groundbreaking discoveries that transform lives and shape the future of medicine.
Leadership Team
Dr. Yaw Asare-Aboagye
DVM, MS
Dr. Yaw Asare-Aboagye is currently the ChiefExecutive Officer of Optima Clinical, a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) based in Accra, Ghana, and supporting both the Biotech and Pharmaceutical industries globally. Optima Clinical aims not only to support clinical trials globally but also to build extra capacity for clinical research in low resource countries.
Prior to founding Optima Clinical, Yaw was the Global Head of Clinical Operations at Drugs for Neglected diseases, based in Nairobi, Kenya where he spent nearly five years leading the clinical teams in the conduct of clinical trials for major neglected tropical diseases. Yaw also spent over 30 years working with major biotechnology companies in the United States including Biomarin Pharmaceuticals in the San Francisco Bay area, Amgen in Southern California, United Therapeutics in North Carolina, and Bristol Myers Squibb in Connecticut, holding various leadership tiles including Executive Director. At Immunex, Yaw played a vital role in securing the approval of Enbrel, the first drug approved for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US.
Yaw holds a DVM degree from the University of Ibadan and an MS in Biostatistics from the Louisiana State University School of Public Health. Yaw has been an advocate for clinical trials in developing countries for decades, and this passion has led to the founding of his new company, Optima Clinical.
Yaw is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ashesi University Foundation in Seattle, Washington, and the Chairman of the Ashesi University Board of Directors in Accra
Vesta Mantey
Head of Data Management
Vesta Mantey is a highly qualified Clinical Data Manager with over 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Vesta currently heads the Data Management team for Optima Clinical, a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) based in Ghana.
She has been a career professional in globally recognized companies like Abbvie, Achaogen, and Gossamer Bio, where she held pivotal roles focused on design, implementation, and oversight of data strategies for clinical trials. With a strong background in data governance, electronic data capture (EDC) systems, and regulatory compliance, Vesta ensured the quality, accuracy, and integrity of clinical trial data across multiple therapeutic areas.
With her vast experience, Vesta has also dedicated herself to the mentorship of the next generation of Clinical Data Managers. She has trained and mentored several professionals over the years to rise through the ranks in the field of CDM. Her leadership and passion for mentorship have earned her acclaim in the industry, both in Ghana and on the international stage.
Vesta holds a BA degree in Psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and is passionate about using data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes.