Vincent Fert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Committee member

Vincent Fert has a master’s degree in immunology of the University of Marseilles, France.

Prior to founding Ipsogen in 1999, Vincent Fert held different executive positions at Immunotech. He was first responsible for R&D, then license acquisition and business development. Vincent is the author of 15 scientific publications and 9 patents.

After Immunotech was acquired by Beckman-Coulter (USA), in 1996, Vincent joined the ‘Advanced Technology Centre’ in Brea, CA where he led technology research projects.

In 1999, with Industry managers, scientists and physicians, Vincent founded Ipsogen, Marseilles, France to develop and market innovative diagnostic tools in order to tailor cancer treatments.

Stéphane Debono, Chief Operating Officer, Board member and Strategic Committee member

Stéphane Debono graduated at ESIM (now the Ecole Centrale Marseille) with a specialization in industrial computer science.

Prior to co-founding Ipsogen in 1999, Stéphane Debono worked as a bioinformatics and manufacturing engineer at Beckman Coulter, Immunotech for 2 years.

After 6 years as CTO in Bioinformatics and Administrative Manager, Stéphane is currently COO of the company, being responsible for the development, design, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver Ipsogen's products and services, including molecular diagnostic kits manufacturing. He is the director of the human resources department and manages the general operations of the company.

Gilles Alberici, Octalfa S.A.S permanent representative, Board member, and Chairman of the Strategic Committee

Gilles Alberici has a 20-years experience in the European pharmaceutical industry.

Gilles obtained his PharmD. (1981) from Paris University, and then was resident and researcher in immunology in one of the French leading academic research hospital (Institut Gustave-Roussy) where he received his PhD (immunotoxicology).

Gilles is the author of more than 40 publications and 4 issued patents.
He served as Development and Manufacturing Director of biological agents in the Mérieux Group.

He founded and managed IMTIX in 1994, a Pasteur-Mérieux business unit dedicated to transplantation and haematology.

He was then President of IMTIX-SangStat, the European affiliate of SangStat, where he managed more than 140 people in 12 different countries.

Gilles founded OPi in September 1999, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and marketing for rare and serious diseases for instance in onco-hematology.

He served as President and CEO of OPi SA and its subsidiaries which total sales went up to 18 M€ in 2006. OPi was sold to EUSA Pharma in march 2007.

Similary and in coherence with its public health strategy, Octalfa created Alberici-Octalfa foundation, which main mission is to help cancer patients and support projects that would improve their care.

Guillaume Connan, Matignon Investissement & Gestion S.A ("MIG") permanent representative, Board member and Strategic Committee member


Guillaume Connan is graduated from HEC. He heads the participation departement at Matignon Technologies, one of the first european player in the field of innovative companies in technology and health services.

Guillaume Connan joined Matignon Technologies in 2000 and has invested in a wide range of life sciences companies: drug delivery and engineering, in vitro diagnostics, orthopaedics, CROs and DNA analysis.

Connan is also a MIG representative in Ipsogen, Mapi, Eurogenetec, Kadrige and Hospital devices board.

Before joining Matignon Technologies, Guillaume Connan worked as an analyst in Mergers & Acquisitions in charge of TMT (Technology, Media & Telecommunications) with J.P. Morgan & Co.

Kevin Rakin, Board member


Mr. Rakin has been a member of the Board of Directors of Ipsogen since March 24th 2006.

Kevin Rakin was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Advanced BioHealing in Feburary 2007.

From January 2006 to February 2007 he was Interim CEO of Advanced BioHealing and executive-in-residence at Canaan Partners, a leading American venture capital firm.

Mr. Rakin was also co-founder of Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, a Nasdaq company specialized in pharmacogenomics.

He was the Company’s CEO from august 2002 until is merger with Clinical Data, Inc in October 2005.

Mr. Rakin received a B.S. in Business and a M.S. in Finance from the Universityof Cape Town and a M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Kevin is also a board member at Omrix BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. and VION Pharmaceuticals, Inc., both quoted on Nasdaq stock exchange.

Midori Yokoyama,
SG Asset Management Alternative Investments permanent representative, Board member

Midori Yokoyama is Partner at SG Asset Management Alternative Investments.

Since she joined SGAM AI in 2002, she has been responsible for mainly for its portfolio’s US biotechnology companies.  Midori is a board observer of Argenta Discovery, IntegraGen, Ipsogen, and SomaLogic. Previously, she was involved in technical assessment of in-licensing opportunities at TAP Pharmaceutical Products (Takeda-Abbott JV, US). 

Prior to TAP, she worked for a start-up biotechnology company, Allelix Biopharmaceuticals, (formerly known as Trophix Pharmaceuticals), where she held positions in business development and R&D.

Midori has a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Cornell University and an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.

Russell Tweeddale, Censor


Russell tweeddale has been Ipsogen’s censor since the 20th March 2008.

Russell is also investment director with Connecticut Innovations since 1985.

Russell has spent his career at CI as a member of the “deal team” reviewing and managing a multitude of investments in the biotechnology field and medical devices.

He has also been board member or censor for Cardium Health Services, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals and Sopherion Therapeutics.

Prior to joining CI, Russell spent 20 years in various positions with United Technologies Corp. He has a background in economic and venture analysis, engineering cost accounting and systems analysis.

Russ earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hartford.