In 2021, Fournel Advisory created the Scientific Committee “Fournel Advisory Life Science” (FALS), composed of prominent figures from academia, biotechnology, life sciences, and finance. This committee enhances our financial and strategic monitoring capabilities, thereby strengthening our expertise in the life sciences field, including the biotech, medtech, and pharma sectors.
The members of the FALS Scientific Committee have held or still hold positions in prestigious universities, world-renowned hospitals, public and private research centers, as well as leading scientific companies. Their diverse expertise enables us to:
- Identify new opportunities in the biotechnology and life sciences sector.
- Support the understanding of company value creation and provide decisive strategic contributions.
- Offer advice on the documentation used for fundraising.
The FALS Scientific Committee is a major asset for Fournel Advisory, enabling us to provide informed and valuable advice to our clients in the life sciences sector.
Fournel Advisory Life Science Committee Members
Areas of Expertise: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine – Nuclear Oncology
A pioneer of French nuclear medicine, former head of the nuclear medicine and cancer treatment department at Nantes University Hospital, emeritus professor of nuclear medicine at the University of Nantes, director of a research laboratory in oncology and immunology; co-founded ATLAB in 2008, sold to TELIX in 2018.
He founded the companies NAOGEN PHARMA in 2016 and then ATONCO in 2018.
Dr. Jean-François CHATAL
Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NAOGEN PHARMA and ATONCO
Areas of Expertise: Medicinal Chemistry – Pharmacology – Cancerology / Oncology. Hellenist and Latinist.
25 years at CNRS as a Researcher, then 20 years as Distinguished Professor of Universities (cancerology-oncology) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris-Sud. Former Deputy Scientific Director of Life Sciences at CNRS and Institut Gustave-Roussy, former Deputy General Manager of Institut Pasteur.
Honorary Member of the National Academy of Pharmacy.
Pr. Alain GOUYETTE
Former Deputy General Director (Scientific and Medical Affairs) CNRS and Institut Pasteur
Areas of Expertise: (Bio)pharmaceutical Industry – Drug Development – Peptides and Biological Molecules
30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry
20 years of experience in global leadership positions for drug development and technical operations in (bio)pharmaceutical companies of various sizes (from start-ups to big pharmas).
Former Development Director and Executive Committee Member of MEDINCELL (2018 – 2023) / Current Development Director and Executive Committee Member at ENTEROME.
Dr. Joël RICHARD
Development Director - Executive Committee Member - ENTEROME
Areas of Expertise: Biotechnologies – Bioengineering – Drug Development – R&D Financing – International Scientific/Technological Partnerships
Former Researcher, then Department Head at CEA Saclay (10 years), former Visiting Professor at the University of Naples. 10 years as Head of Department at CEA Marcoule, then National Program Director for Nuclear Toxicology. Numerous mandates on Scientific Advisory Boards, scientific councils, or strategic committees of biotech/biopharma companies.
Deputy General Manager & Chief Scientific Officer of TRANSGENE since 2014.
Eric QUEMENEUR
Deputy General Manager & Chief Scientific Officer Transgene S.A. Illkirch-Graffenstaden and Lyon
Areas of Expertise: Micro-encapsulation in Cosmetics/Industry/Pharmacy (author of 16 patents) – Innovation Financing Consulting and Support for Start-ups/SMEs.
13 years at CNRS as a researcher. Co-founder of the start-up CAPSULIS in 1994 (sold to ETHYPHARM in 2000). Expert for the European Commission (to evaluate the work of award recipients).
Co-founded in 2012 IXEO-CONSEIL, a consulting firm specializing in innovation financing.
René LAVERSANNE
Co-Founder IXEO CONSEIL
Areas of Expertise: North American Market – Inbound/Outbound Product Licensing/Prescriptions – OTC and Specialty Dietary Supplements
10 years as Sales Director for GLATT GmbH & AG. 5 years as VP of Business Development at PROGRAPHARM France & USA. Over 10 years as President & CEO of ETHYPHARM AMERICAS. 3 years as VP of Supply Chain & Licensing at INSPIRION DELIVERY SCIENCES.
Chief Business Officer at PROTEGA PHARMA since 2020.
Hafid TOUAM
Chief Business Officer PROTEGA PHARMA LLC (Princeton, USA)
Areas of Expertise: Cardiology – Electrophysiology – Interventional Rhythmology
Interventional electrophysiologist (pacemaker, leadless pacemaker, ICD, CRT, simple and complex ablation (AF, VT), LAA and PFO closure) as well as an expert in ECG analysis and management of complex cases. Clinical research on ICD, CRT, and AF.
Dr. Olivier PIOT
Cardiologist, Interventional Rhythmology, Centre Cardiologique du Nord
Areas of Expertise: Cardiology – Sleep Medicine – Sports Cardiology
Practicing since 1995, Dr. Fabrice Thoin works in a multidisciplinary medical practice located at Clinique Bouchard, Clinique Bonneveine, and the Regional Health House of Malpassé. He is a lecturer and expert on the impact of sleep disorders on cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Thoin is also a member of numerous scientific committees, including the National League Against Obesity, Alliance Apnea, Cardiosleep…
Dr. Fabrice THOIN
Cardiologist, Former Intern at Paris Hospitals (Saint-Antoine Faculty)
Areas of Expertise: Cardiology – Echocardiography – Coronary Angiography
Former intern at Paris Hospitals, has his own cardiology practice since 2018. 52 publications in peer-reviewed international journals between 1999 and 2021, and 80 articles in French cardiology journals.
Dr. Philippe MEURIN
Cardiologist, Former Chief Clinic Assistant at Paris Hospitals, Cardiac Rehabilitation Center Les Grands Prés
Co-founder and CEO of ETHYPHARM, a European leader in DDS (Drug Delivery System), sold in 2016 to PAI PARTNERS for €730M.
Co-founder of LABORATOIRE X.O. in 2015, sold to the British investment fund NOVALPINA in 2020 for €300M.
Gérald is also an experienced investor in the biotech and life sciences sectors, with nearly 30 investments.
Gérard LEDUC
Co-founder of ETHYPHARM and LABORATOIRE X.O.
Areas of Expertise: Neurology, Neurosciences, Neuro-oncology, Neuro-immunology
Former Deputy Director of the CRNL (Lyon Neuroscience Research Center) from 2011 to 2015, Professor HONNORAT is now Head of the Neuro-oncology Department and Head of the Medical Activity Division at the Neurological Hospital of Lyon. He is also Director of the French Reference Center for Rare Diseases “Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Autoimmune Encephalitis.”
Pr. Jérome HONNORAT
Head of the Neuro-oncology Department and Head of the Medical Activity Division at the Neurological Hospital of Lyon
Areas of Expertise: Oncology, Urology, Nephrology, Hematology, Dermatology, Hepato-gastroenterology
Professor RIGAUD is Head of the Urology Department at the Nantes University Hospital. His clinical practice is primarily focused on urological oncology (prostate, bladder, kidney, testicle, penis) and robotic surgery. He is also the head of the Cancer Coordination Center (3C), coordinator of robotic surgery at the University Hospital, director of the Nantes School of Surgery and Interventional Practices, and scientific coordinator of the FAME research cluster.
Pr. Jérome RIGAUD
Head of the Urology Department at Nantes University Hospital, Director of the Nantes School of Surgery and Interventional Practices