IRICoR’s Board of Directors has solid experience in a number of key sectors: biopharma, government affairs, intellectual property, regulatory affairs and in venture capital, as well as in academia.
Chair
Since 2006, Jean-François Leprince has been a Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund, a private venture capital company funding Canadian and U.S. biotechnology companies.
After obtaining a chemical engineering degree from the Institut national supérieur de chimie industrielle, in Rouen (France), he started his working career at Dow Chemical Company in the Specialty Chemicals Division before joining the Pharmaceutical Division in 1978. In various management and operational roles, Mr Leprince has travelled extensively to Belgium, Switzerland, France and to the Middle-East, Africa and South-East Asia. With the sale of Marion Merrell Dow to Hoechst in 1995, Mr Leprince became the Managing Director of one of Hoechst Marion Roussel’s three subsidiaries in France. In 1998, Mr Leprince became President of Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada and then of Aventis Canada as a result of the merger between Hoechst Marion Roussel and Rhone Poulenc Rorer, a role he held until the end of 2004.
While President of Aventis Canada, he served on the Board of Directors of former Rx&D (Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies), now named Innovative Medicines Canada, and was appointed Chair in 2002.
Mr Leprince served as President & CEO of GLyPharma Therapeutic Inc., a Montreal-based CTI Life Sciences Fund portfolio company until its acquisition by Swiss-based Therachon AG in September 2018.
He serves as Director of ILKOS THERAPEUTIC INC., another CTI Life Sciences Fund portfolio company resulting from a partnership with Laboratoires Servier-France.
Mr Leprince also serves on the Board of AllerGen and most recently was elected as Chairman of the Board of IRICoR. Both organizations are funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada (NCE).
Since 2006, Jean-François Leprince has been a Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund, a private venture capital company funding Canadian and U.S. biotechnology companies.
After obtaining a chemical engineering degree from the Institut national supérieur de chimie industrielle, in Rouen (France), he started his working career at Dow Chemical Company in the Specialty Chemicals Division before joining the Pharmaceutical Division in 1978. In various management and operational roles, Mr Leprince has travelled extensively to Belgium, Switzerland, France and to the Middle-East, Africa and South-East Asia. With the sale of Marion Merrell Dow to Hoechst in 1995, Mr Leprince became the Managing Director of one of Hoechst Marion Roussel’s three subsidiaries in France. In 1998, Mr Leprince became President of Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada and then of Aventis Canada as a result of the merger between Hoechst Marion Roussel and Rhone Poulenc Rorer, a role he held until the end of 2004.
While President of Aventis Canada, he served on the Board of Directors of former Rx&D (Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies), now named Innovative Medicines Canada, and was appointed Chair in 2002.
Mr Leprince served as President & CEO of GLyPharma Therapeutic Inc., a Montreal-based CTI Life Sciences Fund portfolio company until its acquisition by Swiss-based Therachon AG in September 2018.
He serves as Director of ILKOS THERAPEUTIC INC., another CTI Life Sciences Fund portfolio company resulting from a partnership with Laboratoires Servier-France.
Mr Leprince also serves on the Board of AllerGen and most recently was elected as Chairman of the Board of IRICoR. Both organizations are funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada (NCE).
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Members
Frédéric Alberro began his career in 1995 in the government of Quebec as International Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Science and Technology of Quebec (MICST) and special advisor to the Coordination of major economic projects Center of the Executive Council of Quebec.
Enthusiast economic development of Quebec, he later served as economic advisor to the Premier of Quebec from 1998 to 2001, Director of Economic Affairs of the Québec Government Office in Boston from 2001 to 2003 and again economic adviser of Premier of Quebec in 2003 and of the leader of the official opposition from 2003 to 2005.Mr. Alberro then acts as spokesperson for the AMF from 2005 to 2007.After over 12 years in the public system, Mr. Alberro worked in economic associations respectively occupy the function of Vice President Québec of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and Vice President Québec the Retail Canadian Council. Through that, he has served on several Board of Directors, including Québec Food Banks.
Since 2011, he is the Director Québec of the Innovative Medicines Canada (former Rx&D)
Mr. Alberro has a BA in Business Administration from the Business School of UQQM and holds a Master of International Affairs from École Supérieure de Commerce de Sophia-Antipolis (Nice, France).
Frédéric Alberro began his career in 1995 in the government of Quebec as International Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Science and Technology of Quebec (MICST) and special advisor to the Coordination of major economic projects Center of the Executive Council of Quebec.
Enthusiast economic development of Quebec, he later served as economic advisor to the Premier of Quebec from 1998 to 2001, Director of Economic Affairs of the Québec Government Office in Boston from 2001 to 2003 and again economic adviser of Premier of Quebec in 2003 and of the leader of the official opposition from 2003 to 2005.Mr. Alberro then acts as spokesperson for the AMF from 2005 to 2007.After over 12 years in the public system, Mr. Alberro worked in economic associations respectively occupy the function of Vice President Québec of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and Vice President Québec the Retail Canadian Council. Through that, he has served on several Board of Directors, including Québec Food Banks.
Since 2011, he is the Director Québec of the Innovative Medicines Canada (former Rx&D)
Mr. Alberro has a BA in Business Administration from the Business School of UQQM and holds a Master of International Affairs from École Supérieure de Commerce de Sophia-Antipolis (Nice, France).
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Dr. Douville is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR, a pan-Canadian leader in the de-risking of early-stage academic assets in the field of drug discovery. IRICoR’s mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel highly innovative therapies in cancer and rare diseases by establishing strategic partnerships with industry or creating spinoff companies.
Prior to this role, she was the Founder and Managing Partner of AmorChem, a leading early-stage venture capital fund focusing on academic innovation and translating it into early-stage biotech companies. As a venture capitalist with more than 25 years of life sciences’ investment experience, she has raised and managed funds, and has sourced, led and overseen several investments in biotech companies, in promising university technologies, and successfully created several spin-off companies that have raised capital or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. She is an active participant in the life sciences’ ecosystem and several not-for-profit organisations. She is the Chair of Genome Canada, a Member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and a member of the Policy Engagement Committee of Research Canada. She is also currently an active board member of Corbin Therapeutics Inc. and SemaThera Inc.
Dr. Douville trained as a biochemist, obtaining her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and a post-doctoral fellowship from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, UK. She also has a Certificate in Management from CIREM/HEC and a Certificate in Leadership and Leadership Abilities from the Leadership Institute. More recently, she received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Dr. Douville is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR, a pan-Canadian leader in the de-risking of early-stage academic assets in the field of drug discovery. IRICoR’s mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel highly innovative therapies in cancer and rare diseases by establishing strategic partnerships with industry or creating spinoff companies.
Prior to this role, she was the Founder and Managing Partner of AmorChem, a leading early-stage venture capital fund focusing on academic innovation and translating it into early-stage biotech companies. As a venture capitalist with more than 25 years of life sciences’ investment experience, she has raised and managed funds, and has sourced, led and overseen several investments in biotech companies, in promising university technologies, and successfully created several spin-off companies that have raised capital or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. She is an active participant in the life sciences’ ecosystem and several not-for-profit organisations. She is the Chair of Genome Canada, a Member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and a member of the Policy Engagement Committee of Research Canada. She is also currently an active board member of Corbin Therapeutics Inc. and SemaThera Inc.
Dr. Douville trained as a biochemist, obtaining her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and a post-doctoral fellowship from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, UK. She also has a Certificate in Management from CIREM/HEC and a Certificate in Leadership and Leadership Abilities from the Leadership Institute. More recently, she received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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Mr. Bernier is co-founder and Managing Partner at Teralys Capital. He is a highly respected venture capitalist, entrepreneur and investor who has helped shape the Canadian technological innovation scene. Through a 35-year career of contributions to the high-tech community, he has been actively involved in more than a dozen emerging high-tech companies as founder or angel investor as well as Senior Vice-President of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ. Mr. Bernier’s widely valued wisdom and experience continue to define, develop and implement a new approach to venture capital in Canada and abroad. He serves on the board of PolyFinances, InnoCité Montréal, Quartier de l’Innovation, IRIC and he also does philanthropy work.
Mr. Bernier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from École polytechnique de Montréal (B.A.Sc.)
Mr. Bernier is co-founder and Managing Partner at Teralys Capital. He is a highly respected venture capitalist, entrepreneur and investor who has helped shape the Canadian technological innovation scene. Through a 35-year career of contributions to the high-tech community, he has been actively involved in more than a dozen emerging high-tech companies as founder or angel investor as well as Senior Vice-President of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ. Mr. Bernier’s widely valued wisdom and experience continue to define, develop and implement a new approach to venture capital in Canada and abroad. He serves on the board of PolyFinances, InnoCité Montréal, Quartier de l’Innovation, IRIC and he also does philanthropy work.
Mr. Bernier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from École polytechnique de Montréal (B.A.Sc.)
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Catherine Bouchard has more than ten years of experience in healthcare equity research. She joined la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in March 2012 as senior healthcare analyst. With her team, she is responsible of developing fundamental and investable perspectives on the global healthcare sector and to orient decision-makers accordingly, including portfolio managers, private equity teams, investment committees and supervisory boards. She uses her broad knowledge to assess and recommend stocks, bonds or specialized assets (royalties, real estate). Prior to joining CDPQ, Ms. Bouchard spent five years at Valeurs Mobilières Banque Laurentienne, where she was the lead analyst covering healthcare stocks. She holds a MBA and a M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences.
Catherine Bouchard has more than ten years of experience in healthcare equity research. She joined la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in March 2012 as senior healthcare analyst. With her team, she is responsible of developing fundamental and investable perspectives on the global healthcare sector and to orient decision-makers accordingly, including portfolio managers, private equity teams, investment committees and supervisory boards. She uses her broad knowledge to assess and recommend stocks, bonds or specialized assets (royalties, real estate). Prior to joining CDPQ, Ms. Bouchard spent five years at Valeurs Mobilières Banque Laurentienne, where she was the lead analyst covering healthcare stocks. She holds a MBA and a M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences.
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Michel Bouvier holds a B.Sc. in biochemistry (1979) and a Ph.D in Neurological Sciences (1985) from the Université de Montréal and obtained post-doctoral training (1985-89) at Duke University under the supervision of Dr. R.J. Lefkowitz (Nobel prize Chemistry 2012). He is professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal and principal investigator and at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer. Dr. Bouvier is a world-renowned expert in the field of cell signalling and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and made seminal contributions to our understanding of this major class of drug targets. His work on GPCR regulation led to paradigm shifts (inverse agonism, pharmacological chaperones, GPCR oligomerization, pluridimensionality of signalling), which coupled to his pioneering of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) approaches, have direct impacts on drug discovery.
He is the author of over 260 scientific papers which received over 24,000 citations and delivered more than 400 invited conferences. He also holds 10 patents. His publications received more than 18,000 citations, leading to a Hirsh (h) index of 74 and his introduction on the 2014 Thomson Reuters’ list of the most cited scientists. His work was recognized by many awards, including his induction to the Academy of Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada in 2014. He trained 48 graduate students and 36 post-doctoral fellows, many of whom now hold professor and researcher positions around the world.
He currently holds the Canada research Chair in Signal Transduction and Molecular Pharmacology and is the general director of the Institute of Research in Immunology and Cancer.
Michel Bouvier is the Chief Executive Officer of IRIC, Deputy Vice-Rector Research, Discovery,Creation and Innovation at UdeM, and co-funder of IRICoR.
Michel Bouvier holds a B.Sc. in biochemistry (1979) and a Ph.D in Neurological Sciences (1985) from the Université de Montréal and obtained post-doctoral training (1985-89) at Duke University under the supervision of Dr. R.J. Lefkowitz (Nobel prize Chemistry 2012). He is professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal and principal investigator and at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer. Dr. Bouvier is a world-renowned expert in the field of cell signalling and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and made seminal contributions to our understanding of this major class of drug targets. His work on GPCR regulation led to paradigm shifts (inverse agonism, pharmacological chaperones, GPCR oligomerization, pluridimensionality of signalling), which coupled to his pioneering of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) approaches, have direct impacts on drug discovery.
He is the author of over 260 scientific papers which received over 24,000 citations and delivered more than 400 invited conferences. He also holds 10 patents. His publications received more than 18,000 citations, leading to a Hirsh (h) index of 74 and his introduction on the 2014 Thomson Reuters’ list of the most cited scientists. His work was recognized by many awards, including his induction to the Academy of Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada in 2014. He trained 48 graduate students and 36 post-doctoral fellows, many of whom now hold professor and researcher positions around the world.
He currently holds the Canada research Chair in Signal Transduction and Molecular Pharmacology and is the general director of the Institute of Research in Immunology and Cancer.
Michel Bouvier is the Chief Executive Officer of IRIC, Deputy Vice-Rector Research, Discovery,Creation and Innovation at UdeM, and co-funder of IRICoR.
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In his role as President & CEO of BIOTECanada Andrew is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Association. In this capacity, he is the primary spokesperson for Canada’s biotech industry communicating on the industry’s behalf with government, regulators, international bodies, media and the Canadian public. He also ensures BIOTECanada plays a central role in partnership with Government in the development of policy relating to Canada’s biotech sector and the member companies of BIOTECanada.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Andrew served from 2004-2012 as Vice President, Public Affairs and International Trade and Vice President, Government Relations and Communications for the Forestry Products Association of Canada. In those roles he held responsibility for the Association’s government relations, communications, media relations, advertising and international trade undertakings. From 1993-2004 he held the position of Assistant Vice-President, Government Relations with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Between 1989 and 1993 Andrew held political assistant positions with a Member of Parliament and the Minister of State (Finance).
Andrew Casey is a native of Montreal, Quebec. After attending Loyola High School (Montreal) and St. Lawrence CEGEP (Quebec City) he graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
In his role as President & CEO of BIOTECanada Andrew is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Association. In this capacity, he is the primary spokesperson for Canada’s biotech industry communicating on the industry’s behalf with government, regulators, international bodies, media and the Canadian public. He also ensures BIOTECanada plays a central role in partnership with Government in the development of policy relating to Canada’s biotech sector and the member companies of BIOTECanada.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Andrew served from 2004-2012 as Vice President, Public Affairs and International Trade and Vice President, Government Relations and Communications for the Forestry Products Association of Canada. In those roles he held responsibility for the Association’s government relations, communications, media relations, advertising and international trade undertakings. From 1993-2004 he held the position of Assistant Vice-President, Government Relations with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Between 1989 and 1993 Andrew held political assistant positions with a Member of Parliament and the Minister of State (Finance).
Andrew Casey is a native of Montreal, Quebec. After attending Loyola High School (Montreal) and St. Lawrence CEGEP (Quebec City) he graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
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Mtre. Annie Gauthier is a lawyer and a partner at the law firm BCF and specializes in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. With over 15 years’ experience, she is one of the most respected lawyers in the field of technology and life sciences, and more specifically in the pharmaceutical industry.
Before joining BCF, Annie has practised with a nationally and internationally renowned law firm and worked on highly complex major transactions in addition to becoming one of the leading licensing experts in Canada.
Annie was also Director, Transactions at Pharmascience, the largest employer in the pharmaceutical industry in Quebec. This experience gave her inside understanding of the industry and an opportunity to conduct transactions on every continent.
Annie is actively involved with her peers and her community, and was also the President of the Montreal chapter of the Licensing Executives Society for over five years before becoming a member of the board of directors for the North American region of the organization in 2016. In 2014, she co-founded L’étoffe du succès Montréal, an organization dedicated to helping women that is affiliated with Dress for Success Worldwide.
Mtre. Gauthier graduated cum laude from McGill University with a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degrees from McGill University. She is member of the Quebec Bar since 2002.
Mtre. Annie Gauthier is a lawyer and a partner at the law firm BCF and specializes in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. With over 15 years’ experience, she is one of the most respected lawyers in the field of technology and life sciences, and more specifically in the pharmaceutical industry.
Before joining BCF, Annie has practised with a nationally and internationally renowned law firm and worked on highly complex major transactions in addition to becoming one of the leading licensing experts in Canada.
Annie was also Director, Transactions at Pharmascience, the largest employer in the pharmaceutical industry in Quebec. This experience gave her inside understanding of the industry and an opportunity to conduct transactions on every continent.
Annie is actively involved with her peers and her community, and was also the President of the Montreal chapter of the Licensing Executives Society for over five years before becoming a member of the board of directors for the North American region of the organization in 2016. In 2014, she co-founded L’étoffe du succès Montréal, an organization dedicated to helping women that is affiliated with Dress for Success Worldwide.
Mtre. Gauthier graduated cum laude from McGill University with a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degrees from McGill University. She is member of the Quebec Bar since 2002.
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Bettina Hamelin is the President and CEO of Ontario Genomics. Before assuming her current role in August 2017, Bettina served as Vice-President of NSERC’s Research Partnerships Directorate, where she was responsible for a range of programs designed to stimulate increased public/private sector collaboration and technology transfer by connecting the Canadian research enterprise to Canadian and global innovation stakeholders. Bettina has more than 15 years of experience in the biotech and international pharmaceutical industry as well as 10 years of academic experience as a tenured professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval.
Prior to joining NSERC Bettina held a variety of leadership positions at Pfizer Canada, most recently as Canadian Medical Lead, Vaccines, and Head, Strategic Research Partnerships, Western Canada. Passionate about R&D, she excels at bringing together unlikely partners to attract and leverage funds from diverse sources. She is known for pioneering novel public-private partnership models, and breaking down barriers between federal, provincial and private sector stakeholders.
Early roots in biology and chemistry (Vordiplom, Universität Kaiserslautern, Germany) have led Bettina to complete a B.Sc. in pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy, both from the University of Kentucky, U.S. and an EMBA in Healthcare from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Bettina Hamelin is the President and CEO of Ontario Genomics. Before assuming her current role in August 2017, Bettina served as Vice-President of NSERC’s Research Partnerships Directorate, where she was responsible for a range of programs designed to stimulate increased public/private sector collaboration and technology transfer by connecting the Canadian research enterprise to Canadian and global innovation stakeholders. Bettina has more than 15 years of experience in the biotech and international pharmaceutical industry as well as 10 years of academic experience as a tenured professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval.
Prior to joining NSERC Bettina held a variety of leadership positions at Pfizer Canada, most recently as Canadian Medical Lead, Vaccines, and Head, Strategic Research Partnerships, Western Canada. Passionate about R&D, she excels at bringing together unlikely partners to attract and leverage funds from diverse sources. She is known for pioneering novel public-private partnership models, and breaking down barriers between federal, provincial and private sector stakeholders.
Early roots in biology and chemistry (Vordiplom, Universität Kaiserslautern, Germany) have led Bettina to complete a B.Sc. in pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy, both from the University of Kentucky, U.S. and an EMBA in Healthcare from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
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Bernard Lachapelle is the President of The JBL Group Inc., one of Canada’s leading pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement consultancies, which he founded in 2000.
A recognized expert in Health Policy and Market Access as well as a passionate advocate, Bernard’s counsel is sought by industry leaders and policy makers across Canada and abroad, and he is frequently called as a speaker and as a moderator. Over the years, Bernard and his team have greatly contributed to Canadian patients’ access to medicines by solving some of the most challenging and complex pricing and reimbursement issues.
Prior to JBL, Bernard held senior executive positions with global pharmaceutical companies in Canada, acquiring extensive experience in government affairs, market access, health policy development and corporate communications as well as marketing, pricing and tendering, and human resources. Bernard also held global responsibilities in intellectual property and international trade.
A graduate in Pharmacy and Biochemistry from Laval University, Bernard has long been involved in the political process and continues to serve the community in several capacities. Bernard is a member of the Board of the Fondation québécoise du cancer and Chairman of the prestigious Prix Galien in Canada.
Bernard Lachapelle is the President of The JBL Group Inc., one of Canada’s leading pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement consultancies, which he founded in 2000.
A recognized expert in Health Policy and Market Access as well as a passionate advocate, Bernard’s counsel is sought by industry leaders and policy makers across Canada and abroad, and he is frequently called as a speaker and as a moderator. Over the years, Bernard and his team have greatly contributed to Canadian patients’ access to medicines by solving some of the most challenging and complex pricing and reimbursement issues.
Prior to JBL, Bernard held senior executive positions with global pharmaceutical companies in Canada, acquiring extensive experience in government affairs, market access, health policy development and corporate communications as well as marketing, pricing and tendering, and human resources. Bernard also held global responsibilities in intellectual property and international trade.
A graduate in Pharmacy and Biochemistry from Laval University, Bernard has long been involved in the political process and continues to serve the community in several capacities. Bernard is a member of the Board of the Fondation québécoise du cancer and Chairman of the prestigious Prix Galien in Canada.
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Dr Yves Joanette is a Professor at the Faculté de médecine of the Université de Montréal, and Associate Vice-Principal Research since August 2020, after having been nominated as the first Director of the Consortium en santé numérique in September 2019. Until recently (2011-2019), he was the scientific director of the Institute of Aging of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Previously, he has been President and CEO of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and President of its Board, after having been for 10 years Director of research at the Institut de gériatrie de Montréal. Dr Yves Joanette is a member of the World Dementia Council since 2014, and has been Chair from 2016 to 2018.
Internationally renowned researcher, his team focuses on the understanding of aging processes and cognitive / communicational disorders in the normal aging as well as in neurodegenerative and focal diseases. Dr Joanette and his team actively contribute to the dissemination of research results and to the introduction of best clinical practices.
CIHR Fellow and Scientist from 1982 to 1992, and member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Dr Yves Joanette received several honours, including Honorary Doctorates from Université Lumière Lyon (France) and from the University of Ottawa.
Dr Yves Joanette is a Professor at the Faculté de médecine of the Université de Montréal, and Associate Vice-Principal Research since August 2020, after having been nominated as the first Director of the Consortium en santé numérique in September 2019. Until recently (2011-2019), he was the scientific director of the Institute of Aging of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Previously, he has been President and CEO of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and President of its Board, after having been for 10 years Director of research at the Institut de gériatrie de Montréal. Dr Yves Joanette is a member of the World Dementia Council since 2014, and has been Chair from 2016 to 2018.
Internationally renowned researcher, his team focuses on the understanding of aging processes and cognitive / communicational disorders in the normal aging as well as in neurodegenerative and focal diseases. Dr Joanette and his team actively contribute to the dissemination of research results and to the introduction of best clinical practices.
CIHR Fellow and Scientist from 1982 to 1992, and member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Dr Yves Joanette received several honours, including Honorary Doctorates from Université Lumière Lyon (France) and from the University of Ottawa.
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IRICoR’s qualified personnel stand out by their scientific and commercial skills acquired in both the private and public sectors. Our multidisciplinary team combines more than 50 years of experience in project management, drug development, intellectual property, business development and venture capital.
Dr. Douville is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR, a pan-Canadian leader in the de-risking of early-stage academic assets in the field of drug discovery. IRICoR’s mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel highly innovative therapies in cancer and rare diseases by establishing strategic partnerships with industry or creating spinoff companies.
Prior to this role, she was the Founder and Managing Partner of AmorChem, a leading early-stage venture capital fund focusing on academic innovation and translating it into early-stage biotech companies. As a venture capitalist with more than 25 years of life sciences’ investment experience, she has raised and managed funds, and has sourced, led and overseen several investments in biotech companies, in promising university technologies, and successfully created several spin-off companies that have raised capital or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. She is an active participant in the life sciences’ ecosystem and several not-for-profit organisations. She is the Chair of Genome Canada, a Member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and a member of the Policy Engagement Committee of Research Canada. She is also currently an active board member of Corbin Therapeutics Inc. and SemaThera Inc.
Dr. Douville trained as a biochemist, obtaining her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and a post-doctoral fellowship from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, UK. She also has a Certificate in Management from CIREM/HEC and a Certificate in Leadership and Leadership Abilities from the Leadership Institute. More recently, she received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Dr. Douville is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR, a pan-Canadian leader in the de-risking of early-stage academic assets in the field of drug discovery. IRICoR’s mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel highly innovative therapies in cancer and rare diseases by establishing strategic partnerships with industry or creating spinoff companies.
Prior to this role, she was the Founder and Managing Partner of AmorChem, a leading early-stage venture capital fund focusing on academic innovation and translating it into early-stage biotech companies. As a venture capitalist with more than 25 years of life sciences’ investment experience, she has raised and managed funds, and has sourced, led and overseen several investments in biotech companies, in promising university technologies, and successfully created several spin-off companies that have raised capital or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. She is an active participant in the life sciences’ ecosystem and several not-for-profit organisations. She is the Chair of Genome Canada, a Member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and a member of the Policy Engagement Committee of Research Canada. She is also currently an active board member of Corbin Therapeutics Inc. and SemaThera Inc.
Dr. Douville trained as a biochemist, obtaining her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and a post-doctoral fellowship from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, UK. She also has a Certificate in Management from CIREM/HEC and a Certificate in Leadership and Leadership Abilities from the Leadership Institute. More recently, she received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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Jean-Louis Brochu is a Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property expert with 10 years experience in providing International IP landscapes, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity opinions on several pharmaceutical products. He was the Lead Intellectual Property Scientist at Pharmascience, a leading Canadian generic pharmaceutical company. Jean-Louis supported IP generation for the Innovative branch Pendopharm and provided IP support in all aspect of drug development; from idea generation, product development, submission, product launch to post-launch IP/litigation activities.
Prior to Pharmascience, Jean-Louis worked as a synthetic organic chemist for 5 years at the National Research Council Canada (NRCC), Painceptor Pharma and Sussex Research Laboratories in Ottawa. Jean-Louis is a registered chemist with l’ordre des chimistes du Québec, has a B.Sc. in Biopharmaceutical Sciences – Medicinal Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry, both at the University of Ottawa. He was also a member of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association IP committee.
Jean-Louis Brochu is a Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property expert with 10 years experience in providing International IP landscapes, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity opinions on several pharmaceutical products. He was the Lead Intellectual Property Scientist at Pharmascience, a leading Canadian generic pharmaceutical company. Jean-Louis supported IP generation for the Innovative branch Pendopharm and provided IP support in all aspect of drug development; from idea generation, product development, submission, product launch to post-launch IP/litigation activities.
Prior to Pharmascience, Jean-Louis worked as a synthetic organic chemist for 5 years at the National Research Council Canada (NRCC), Painceptor Pharma and Sussex Research Laboratories in Ottawa. Jean-Louis is a registered chemist with l’ordre des chimistes du Québec, has a B.Sc. in Biopharmaceutical Sciences – Medicinal Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry, both at the University of Ottawa. He was also a member of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association IP committee.
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Mario Callejo joined the IRICoR team in September of 2022 as Vice President of Scientific Operations at IRICoR. Dr. Callejo’s main responsibilities consist of supervising activities related to scientific affairs, such as leading and ensuring the preliminary scientific evaluation of potential projects, planning, developing and implementing a balanced portfolio strategy and making investment recommendations. He actively contributes to collaborations with pharmaceutical partners during the development of portfolio projects.
Before undertaking this position, he served as IRICoR’s scientific advisor for the evaluation of projects submitted through different funding competitions. He also provided support to IRICoR’s management team in monitoring milestones, evaluating deliverables, and reorienting projects as needed.
Prior to joining IRICoR, Mario Callejo was one of the deputy directors in Biology, at the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) of the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal (IRIC). His involvement, as a biology group leader, on the first project (development of antagonists of Protease Activated Receptors 4) conducted in alliance between the Drug Discovery Unit and the biopharmaceutical Company Bristol-Myers Squibb, contributed to the discovery of two anti thrombotic drugs presently undergoing clinical evaluation.
He has more than 20 years of experience as a manager of scientific projects, with an extensive scientific knowledge in translational science and on drug development within academic and biotechnology settings. He has been involved, as a group leader, in several pharmaceutical projects in Canada and other countries. His scientific experience covers several therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, anti-microbial and vaccines.
Dr. Callejo holds a Ph.D in Biochemistry, from the Biochemistry Department of Université de Montréal. He led his post-doctoral training both in academia (McGill University) and several Biotechnology companies (Emerillon Therapeutics Inc. and Targanta Therapeutics Inc.). He also holds an M.Sc. degree from University of Havana (Cuba) and from the Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa of Madrid (Spain).
Mario Callejo joined the IRICoR team in September of 2022 as Vice President of Scientific Operations at IRICoR. Dr. Callejo’s main responsibilities consist of supervising activities related to scientific affairs, such as leading and ensuring the preliminary scientific evaluation of potential projects, planning, developing and implementing a balanced portfolio strategy and making investment recommendations. He actively contributes to collaborations with pharmaceutical partners during the development of portfolio projects.
Before undertaking this position, he served as IRICoR’s scientific advisor for the evaluation of projects submitted through different funding competitions. He also provided support to IRICoR’s management team in monitoring milestones, evaluating deliverables, and reorienting projects as needed.
Prior to joining IRICoR, Mario Callejo was one of the deputy directors in Biology, at the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) of the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal (IRIC). His involvement, as a biology group leader, on the first project (development of antagonists of Protease Activated Receptors 4) conducted in alliance between the Drug Discovery Unit and the biopharmaceutical Company Bristol-Myers Squibb, contributed to the discovery of two anti thrombotic drugs presently undergoing clinical evaluation.
He has more than 20 years of experience as a manager of scientific projects, with an extensive scientific knowledge in translational science and on drug development within academic and biotechnology settings. He has been involved, as a group leader, in several pharmaceutical projects in Canada and other countries. His scientific experience covers several therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, anti-microbial and vaccines.
Dr. Callejo holds a Ph.D in Biochemistry, from the Biochemistry Department of Université de Montréal. He led his post-doctoral training both in academia (McGill University) and several Biotechnology companies (Emerillon Therapeutics Inc. and Targanta Therapeutics Inc.). He also holds an M.Sc. degree from University of Havana (Cuba) and from the Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa of Madrid (Spain).
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Gwenaëlle Gavory joined the IRICoR team in November of 2022 as a scientific liaison agent. She is in charge of the scientific management and progress of portfolio projects in close collaboration with the VP – Scientific operations.
Before joining IRICoR, Gwenaëlle was administrative project manager at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal (IRIC). She was in charge of the financial management of the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and she provided administrative support to the DDU. She was also involved in the development and implementation of institutional projects.
She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Université de Montréal and her research project was realized on the NUP98-HOXA9 translocation involved in acute myeloid leukemia. She also holds a engineering degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes (ENSCR), France.
Gwenaëlle Gavory joined the IRICoR team in November of 2022 as a scientific liaison agent. She is in charge of the scientific management and progress of portfolio projects in close collaboration with the VP – Scientific operations.
Before joining IRICoR, Gwenaëlle was administrative project manager at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal (IRIC). She was in charge of the financial management of the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and she provided administrative support to the DDU. She was also involved in the development and implementation of institutional projects.
She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Université de Montréal and her research project was realized on the NUP98-HOXA9 translocation involved in acute myeloid leukemia. She also holds a engineering degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes (ENSCR), France.
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Arrived in June 2022, as Vice-President, Business Development within the IRICoR management team, Claude Larose is primarily responsible for establishing links and concluding agreements with entities outside IRICoR, from both the public and private sectors, toward exit events for portfolio projects.
Mr. Larose brings over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry, across different areas such as research and development, sales and marketing, business development and intellectual property licensing.
Before joining IRICoR, Claude worked in the private sector, where he concluded a number of national and international collaborative research and IP licensing agreements first at Quantum Biotechnologies then at Theratechnologies. Then, in 2013, he was a key player at the National Research Council (NRC) in developing the overall business development, licensing and intellectual property management strategies for promising assets.
He holds a Master’s degree (MSc.) in Microbiology and Immunology from University of Montreal. Claude has been a member of the Canadian Healthcare Licensing Association since 2004, serving on its Board of Directors from 2007 to 2017 and serving as its President from 2013 to 2015.
Arrived in June 2022, as Vice-President, Business Development within the IRICoR management team, Claude Larose is primarily responsible for establishing links and concluding agreements with entities outside IRICoR, from both the public and private sectors, toward exit events for portfolio projects.
Mr. Larose brings over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry, across different areas such as research and development, sales and marketing, business development and intellectual property licensing.
Before joining IRICoR, Claude worked in the private sector, where he concluded a number of national and international collaborative research and IP licensing agreements first at Quantum Biotechnologies then at Theratechnologies. Then, in 2013, he was a key player at the National Research Council (NRC) in developing the overall business development, licensing and intellectual property management strategies for promising assets.
He holds a Master’s degree (MSc.) in Microbiology and Immunology from University of Montreal. Claude has been a member of the Canadian Healthcare Licensing Association since 2004, serving on its Board of Directors from 2007 to 2017 and serving as its President from 2013 to 2015.
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Since her arrival at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) and IRICoR in 2019, as Senior Communications Advisor, Public and Government Relations, Noémie Desbois Mackenzie has actively contributed to the development of strategies adapted to the various organizational realities whether in terms of press relations, government relations or communication | marketing – to make both organizations shine.
In parallel to her studies, Noémie began her career as a writer for Pharmapar, a Montreal-based pharmaceutical company. In 2015, Noémie became a freelancer for an interactive communication agency, Lubie, in Sherbrooke. She worked with clients in the health sector. The same year, she worked as a consultant for SIXDEGRÉS, an agency in health communication and marketing. Finally, in September 2016, she joined the Edelman Health team in Montreal. As a senior account executive in Edelman Montreal’s Health Practice, Noémie has contributed for almost three years to various pharmaceutical mandates and has worked with some health foundations and major health organizations.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Université de Sherbrooke, Noémie quick focused herself on the importance of health communication. She holds a master’s degree in communication general health research at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).
Since her arrival at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) and IRICoR in 2019, as Senior Communications Advisor, Public and Government Relations, Noémie Desbois Mackenzie has actively contributed to the development of strategies adapted to the various organizational realities whether in terms of press relations, government relations or communication | marketing – to make both organizations shine.
In parallel to her studies, Noémie began her career as a writer for Pharmapar, a Montreal-based pharmaceutical company. In 2015, Noémie became a freelancer for an interactive communication agency, Lubie, in Sherbrooke. She worked with clients in the health sector. The same year, she worked as a consultant for SIXDEGRÉS, an agency in health communication and marketing. Finally, in September 2016, she joined the Edelman Health team in Montreal. As a senior account executive in Edelman Montreal’s Health Practice, Noémie has contributed for almost three years to various pharmaceutical mandates and has worked with some health foundations and major health organizations.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Université de Sherbrooke, Noémie quick focused herself on the importance of health communication. She holds a master’s degree in communication general health research at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).
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Since joining IRICoR in 2009 as Project Manager, Alix Molinier has been responsible of the financial and administrative tasks, monitoring IRICoR’s portfolio projects. She also actively contributes to the development of follow-up and analysis tools for internal uses, and to the gathering of competitive intelligence around portfolio projects.
Ms. Molinier has over 12 years of experience in project management, with a specific focus on biotechnology start-up companies both from a scientific and a human resource standpoint. Alix began her career as an Analyst and Project Officer at Grand Luminy Incubator, a Marseille-based strategic support and logistics facility that assists in the creation of biotechnology businesses, where she undertook competitive intelligence analysis for the organization’s clients. She continued performing competitive intelligence analysis as an Analyst at CEIM (Centre d’entreprises et d’innovation de Montréal), an incubator of new technology companies. Just prior to joining IRICoR, she was Project Officer at Pharmabio Development, a Work Force sectoral Committee for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Ms. Molinier led her Engineering and Master II curricula in parallel. She holds a double Diploma in Project Management specializing in Biotechnology from Euromed Marseille – Management School and from ESIL (École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Luminy).
Since joining IRICoR in 2009 as Project Manager, Alix Molinier has been responsible of the financial and administrative tasks, monitoring IRICoR’s portfolio projects. She also actively contributes to the development of follow-up and analysis tools for internal uses, and to the gathering of competitive intelligence around portfolio projects.
Ms. Molinier has over 12 years of experience in project management, with a specific focus on biotechnology start-up companies both from a scientific and a human resource standpoint. Alix began her career as an Analyst and Project Officer at Grand Luminy Incubator, a Marseille-based strategic support and logistics facility that assists in the creation of biotechnology businesses, where she undertook competitive intelligence analysis for the organization’s clients. She continued performing competitive intelligence analysis as an Analyst at CEIM (Centre d’entreprises et d’innovation de Montréal), an incubator of new technology companies. Just prior to joining IRICoR, she was Project Officer at Pharmabio Development, a Work Force sectoral Committee for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Ms. Molinier led her Engineering and Master II curricula in parallel. She holds a double Diploma in Project Management specializing in Biotechnology from Euromed Marseille – Management School and from ESIL (École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Luminy).
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Audrey Segret joined IRICoR in 2015 as Project Manager, and her responsibilities include tasks such as recruiting innovative scientific projects for potential investment, and regularly following up and reporting the progress of portfolio projects according to their milestones. She has also developed key analytics tools for project management within the organization.
Dr. Segret brings over 8 years of experience in project management to IRICoR. Prior to joining IRICoR, she contributed to business development activities at Boralex by ensuring coordination with internal departments (development, regulatory affairs, financial and operations on sites), executive level and partners. Prior to joining Boralex, Audrey was a scientific consultant at Alma Consulting Group (France and Canada) where she was in charge of managing a portfolio of clients involved in a number of research and development activities. For each project, she identified ways to secure a claim process (SR&ED) and to review reports submitted to government institutions. Audrey provided scientific and financial support to more than 200 innovative business projects.
Dr. Segret holds a Ph.D. in Life Sciences (speciality: cardiovascular pharmacology) and her research project was realized in the UMR-CNRS 8162 Unit (Paris V – France) on the «Implication of the CXCL12 chimiokine and its CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors in cardiac physiology and physiopathology».
Audrey Segret joined IRICoR in 2015 as Project Manager, and her responsibilities include tasks such as recruiting innovative scientific projects for potential investment, and regularly following up and reporting the progress of portfolio projects according to their milestones. She has also developed key analytics tools for project management within the organization.
Dr. Segret brings over 8 years of experience in project management to IRICoR. Prior to joining IRICoR, she contributed to business development activities at Boralex by ensuring coordination with internal departments (development, regulatory affairs, financial and operations on sites), executive level and partners. Prior to joining Boralex, Audrey was a scientific consultant at Alma Consulting Group (France and Canada) where she was in charge of managing a portfolio of clients involved in a number of research and development activities. For each project, she identified ways to secure a claim process (SR&ED) and to review reports submitted to government institutions. Audrey provided scientific and financial support to more than 200 innovative business projects.
Dr. Segret holds a Ph.D. in Life Sciences (speciality: cardiovascular pharmacology) and her research project was realized in the UMR-CNRS 8162 Unit (Paris V – France) on the «Implication of the CXCL12 chimiokine and its CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors in cardiac physiology and physiopathology».
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Mrs Narjes Achach joined IRICoR in 2022 as Intellectual Property Analyst. Prior to joining IRICoR, Narjes worked at the CNRS French National Center for Scientific Research in the promotion of research projects, the negotiation of partnership agreements between academia and industry, participated in programs to promote intellectual property and of entrepreneurial culture.
She is also a member of AUTM, a global organization of technology transfer professionals where she has worked on numerous projects within the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee aimed at helping members achieve their career goals.
Narjes also participates in support programs for the management of intellectual property with the WIPO and the JCI, oriented towards women entrepreneurs and young researchers.
A graduate in pharmacy from the University of Monastir, Tunisia, Narjes also holds a Master’s degree in intellectual property and health law from the University of Paris 8, France.
Mrs Narjes Achach joined IRICoR in 2022 as Intellectual Property Analyst. Prior to joining IRICoR, Narjes worked at the CNRS French National Center for Scientific Research in the promotion of research projects, the negotiation of partnership agreements between academia and industry, participated in programs to promote intellectual property and of entrepreneurial culture.
She is also a member of AUTM, a global organization of technology transfer professionals where she has worked on numerous projects within the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee aimed at helping members achieve their career goals.
Narjes also participates in support programs for the management of intellectual property with the WIPO and the JCI, oriented towards women entrepreneurs and young researchers.
A graduate in pharmacy from the University of Monastir, Tunisia, Narjes also holds a Master’s degree in intellectual property and health law from the University of Paris 8, France.
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Mrs Rodrigue joins the IRICoR team in 2022 with more than 10 years of experience. Prior joingning IRICoR, Ms. Rodrigue worked for several years as a financial analyst for government agencies where she held positions in financial compliance and budget processes. In addition to these financial accounting skills, Nioucha has developed her professional knowledge of taxation. She worked as a tax specialist for several years for professional firms and private companies. As a tax accountant, she has developed multiple and varied skills in various fields, including that of financial and business strategy development.
Mrs Rodrigue is a member of CPA and holds a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Sherbrooke.
Mrs Rodrigue joins the IRICoR team in 2022 with more than 10 years of experience. Prior joingning IRICoR, Ms. Rodrigue worked for several years as a financial analyst for government agencies where she held positions in financial compliance and budget processes. In addition to these financial accounting skills, Nioucha has developed her professional knowledge of taxation. She worked as a tax specialist for several years for professional firms and private companies. As a tax accountant, she has developed multiple and varied skills in various fields, including that of financial and business strategy development.
Mrs Rodrigue is a member of CPA and holds a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Sherbrooke.
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