Leadership

Guillaume Prunier

Chief Executive Officer

Guillaume Prunier

Successful serial entrepreneur, Guillaume Prunier’s expertise is entirely dedicated to DeepTech innovation management.

Philippe Jais

Philippe Jais, MD, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Philippe Jais, MD, PhD

Internationally recognized molecular geneticist and mRNA synthesis expert, with academic background of MD and PhD from Paris Diderot University, Philippe Jaïs is the founder of Eukarÿs and the visionary inventor of the breakthrough C3P3 technology. For more than 25 years, Philippe has held senior positions in both the pharmaceutical (Solvay Pharma, Hoffmann-La Roche) and biotech (Genset, ProteaBio, AzurRx) industries. 

Hervé Pouzoullic

Hervé Pouzoullic

Chief Commercial Officer

Hervé Pouzoullic

Graduated of Sciences Po Paris and INSEAD, Hervé Pouzoullic leads Eukarÿs global commercial strategy and execution, leveraging his 25 years successful experience in the Life Sciences Tools and Pharma industries. Hervé has served as General Manager and Commercial Development Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific for over 15 years, where he achieved over $400M in commercial success across EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America. He also spent 10 years at Sanofi as Country Leader, strengthening his expertise in corporate strategy and operational leadership. With a strong background in M&A, integration, and strategic growth, Hervé has managed businesses with revenues exceeding $120M.  

Board of directors

Hervé Pouzoullic

Gabriel Festoc, PhD

Board Member

Gabriel Festoc, PhD

As former President of Polyplus Group (2009-2023), a Life Science Tools leader acquired by Sartorius in 2023 for $2.6 billion, Gabriel brings his internationally recognized expertise of the sector. Gabriel was also the founder and former President of GeneSystems, and has advised financial investors throughout his career. He also serves as board member for several biotech companies using his experience that spans both strategic decision-making and day-to-day operational management, notably his extensive knowledge of bioproduction and biomanufacturing to guide innovation and value creation.

Pierre Grange

Board Member

Pierre Grange

Representing Eukarÿs Holding, and long-time personal supporter of Eukarÿs, Pierre brings his successful experience in entrepreneurship and large industrial groups. Pierre Grange is graduated from the École des Ponts et Chaussées.

Philippe Jais

Philippe Jais, MD, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Philippe Jais, MD, PhD

Internationally recognized molecular geneticist and mRNA synthesis expert, with academic background of MD and PhD from Paris Diderot University, Philippe Jaïs is the founder of Eukarÿs and the visionary inventor of the breakthrough C3P3 technology. For more than 25 years, Philippe has held senior positions in both the pharmaceutical (Solvay Pharma, Hoffmann-La Roche) and biotech (Genset, ProteaBio, AzurRx) industries. 

Anne Lauvergeon

Board Member

Anne Lauvergeon

Representing ALP, Anne Lauvergeon brings her knowledge of global industry and corporate finance, notably as former CEO of Areva, Managing Partner of Lazard, and board member of numerous global industry leaders in various sectors. President since 2011 of ALP, an investing and strategy consulting company, she has been promoting innovation from many years, through as chairwoman of the French government’s Innovation 2030 Commission, and MEDEF union’s Innovation Committee. Anne Lauvergeon is graduated from the École Normale Supérieure, has a degree in physics, and is an engineer from the Corps des Mines.

Guillaume Prunier

Chief Executive Officer

Guillaume Prunier

Successful serial entrepreneur, Guillaume Prunier’s expertise is entirely dedicated to DeepTech innovation management.

Scientific Advisory Board

Dominique Franco

Dominique Franco, MD, PhD

SAB President

Dominique Franco, MD, PhD

Dominique is Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Paris XI. Dominique is an internationally recognized expert in the field of liver surgery. Among other things, Dominique pioneered the development of liver transplantation in Europe. Former Vice President of the MEDICEN competitiveness cluster, President of the French Academy of Surgery, Advisor to the Pasteur Institute, Dominique is also Chairman of the CellSpace Association, which is dedicated to building artificial bioengineered liver and other organs.

Steve Pascolo, PhD

Advisor

Steve Pascolo, PhD

Steve is an alumnus of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS, France), a PhD, and a molecular immunologist. Steve is the co-founder and former Chief Scientific Officer of the biotechnology company Curevac (Germany). Steve’s research has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of messenger RNA for vaccination and he has unique experience in this area. In particular, he conducted the first clinical trials to evaluate immunotherapies based on direct injection of mRNA. Steve currently leads an immunology research team at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.

Philippe Kourilsky

Philippe Kourilsky, PhD

Advisor

Philippe Kourilsky, PhD

Philippe Kourilsky is Professor of Molecular Immunology, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institut Pasteur de Paris, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Rhône-Poulenc and Véolia, and former Chief Scientific Officer of Pasteur Mérieux Connaught (now Sanofi Pasteur). In addition to his contributions in the field of tumor immunity, Philippe is the inventor of cDNA cloning, a technological revolution that has led to modern genomics. Philippe is a member of the French Academy of Sciences and Professor at the Collège de France, a former member of the Singapore Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Council and Chairman of the Singapore Immunology Network.

Philippe Kourilsky

Maya Shmulevitz, PhD

Advisor

Maya Shmulevitz, PhD

Maya Shmulevitz is Professor of Molecular Virology at the University of Alberta, Canada. Maya is an internationally recognized expert whose work has contributed to the understanding of the biology of reoviruses, in particular to the understanding of the lifecycle, molecular engineering, production and use of these oncolytic viruses for immunotherapy purposes. She holds the Research Chair in Molecular Virology and Oncology for Canada.

Pierre Chambon

Pierre Chambon, MD, PhD

Advisor

Pierre Chambon, MD, PhD

Pierre Chambon is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at the University of Strasbourg and Honorary Professor at the Collège de France, Paris. He is the founder and former director of the Institute of Genetics and Cellular and Molecular Biology (IGBMC, Strasbourg, France) and the Institut Clinique de la Souris (MCI, Strasbourg). Pierre has done pioneering work on the structure of eukaryotic genes and their regulation. He received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his work in this field and the Gairdner Foundation International Award for the discovery of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Pierre is a member of the French, Swedish and U.S. National Academies of Sciences.

Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD

Advisor

Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD

Christian Bréchot is Professor of Hepatology at the University Paris Descartes and a molecular virologist. Christian’s research has had a groundbreaking impact on chronic HBV and HCV infections on liver carcinogenesis as well as on the understanding of the mechanisms of liver regeneration. After heading the Department of Hepatology and an INSERM unit at the Necker-Enfants Malades Faculty of Medicine, Christian served as Chief Executive Officer of INSERM (the French National Institute for Medical Research), Vice President of the Mérieux Institute, and then President of the Pasteur Institute of Paris. He is now President of the Global Virus Network.

Philippe Kourilsky

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée, MD, PhD

Advisor

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée, MD, PhD

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée is Professor of Hepatology at the University of Paris XI and Hepatobiliary Center at Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif (France). Jean-Charles is an internationally recognized expert in severe acute and chronic liver diseases. Among other activities, he directs the Reference Center for the Management of Wilson’s Disease in Adults and the Departement Hospitalo-Universitaire (DHU) Hepatinov of Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, which promotes innovative therapeutic and diagnostic advances in liver disease care.

Philippe Kourilsky

Daniel Metzger, PhD

Advisor

Daniel Metzger, PhD

Daniel is a Research Director at the CNRS and heads the « Pathophysiological Function of Nuclear Receptor Signaling » team at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC, Strasbourg, France). Daniel is an expert in transgenesis and gene regulation by nuclear receptors. Among others, Daniel co-invented with Pr. Pierre Chambon, the Cre-ERT-mediated site-directed, cell-specific, time-controlled somatic mutagenesis method used worldwide to generate genetically modified mice. Daniel is a laureate of the Grand Prix Jules Martin, the Prix René Turpin of the French Academy of Sciences and has been awarded the CNRS Silver Medal. He is also an elected member of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences and EMBO.

5

Anne Lauvergeon

Representing ALP, Anne Lauvergeon brings her knowledge of global industry and corporate finance, notably as former CEO of Areva, Managing Partner of Lazard, and board member of numerous global industry leaders in various sectors. President since 2011 of ALP, an investing and strategy consulting company, she has been promoting innovation from many years, through as chairwoman of the French government’s Innovation 2030 Commission, and MEDEF union’s Innovation Committee. Anne Lauvergeon is graduated from the École Normale Supérieure, has a degree in physics, and is an engineer from the Corps des Mines.

5

Pierre Grange

Representing Eukarÿs Holding, and long-time personal supporter of Eukarÿs, Pierre brings his successful experience in entrepreneurship and large industrial groups. Pierre Grange is graduated from the École des Ponts et Chaussées.

5

Guillaume Prunier

Successful serial entrepreneur, Guillaume Prunier’s expertise is entirely dedicated to DeepTech innovation management. After having lead a US unicorn’s PreSales activity for France, he became in 2017 CEO of Flaminem (since acquired), a Big Data and AI startup, which he successfully made pivot. Special Advisor to Eukarÿs’ President from 2020 to early 2024, he was meanwhile deputy CEO of INRIA, the French national research institute for computer sciences and technologies. Guillaume is graduated from École Polytechnique, where he was awarded the Scientific Prize in Economics, and from Mines ParisTech, where he lead the corporate strategy seminar.  

5
Philippe Jais

Philippe Jais, MD, PhD

Internationally recognized molecular geneticist and mRNA synthesis expert, with academic background of MD and PhD from Paris Diderot University, Philippe Jaïs is the founder of Eukarÿs and the visionary inventor of the breakthrough C3P3 technology. For more than 25 years, Philippe has held senior positions in both the pharmaceutical (Solvay Pharma, Hoffmann-La Roche) and biotech (Genset, ProteaBio, AzurRx) industries.

5

Hervé Pouzoullic

Graduated of Sciences Po Paris and INSEAD, Hervé Pouzoullic leads Eukarÿs global commercial strategy and execution, leveraging his 25 years successful experience in the Life Sciences Tools and Pharma industries. Hervé has served as General Manager and Commercial Development Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific for over 15 years, where he achieved over $400M in commercial success across EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America. He also spent 10 years at Sanofi as Country Leader, strengthening his expertise in corporate strategy and operational leadership. With a strong background in M&A, integration, and strategic growth, Hervé has managed businesses with revenues exceeding $120M.  

5

Gabriel Festoc, PhD

As former President of Polyplus Group (2009-2023), a Life Science Tools leader acquired by Sartorius in 2023 for $2.6 billion, Gabriel brings his internationally recognized expertise of the sector. Gabriel was also the founder and former President of GeneSystems, and has advised financial investors throughout his career. He also serves as board member for several biotech companies using his experience that spans both strategic decision-making and day-to-day operational management, notably his extensive knowledge of bioproduction and biomanufacturing to guide innovation and value creation.

5
Dominique Franco

Dominique Franco, MD, PhD

Dominique is Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Paris XI. Dominique is an internationally recognized expert in the field of liver surgery. Among other things, Dominique pioneered the development of liver transplantation in Europe. Former Vice President of the MEDICEN competitiveness cluster, President of the French Academy of Surgery, Advisor to the Pasteur Institute, Dominique is also Chairman of the CellSpace Association, which is dedicated to building artificial bioengineered liver and other organs.

5
Dominique Franco

Steve Pascolo, PhD

Steve is an alumnus of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS, France), a PhD, and a molecular immunologist. Steve is the co-founder and former Chief Scientific Officer of the biotechnology company Curevac (Germany). Steve’s research has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of messenger RNA for vaccination and he has unique experience in this area. In particular, he conducted the first clinical trials to evaluate immunotherapies based on direct injection of mRNA. Steve currently leads an immunology research team at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.

5
Philippe Kourilsky

Philippe Kourilsky, PhD

Philippe Kourilsky is Professor of Molecular Immunology, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institut Pasteur de Paris, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Rhône-Poulenc and Véolia, and former Chief Scientific Officer of Pasteur Mérieux Connaught (now Sanofi Pasteur). In addition to his contributions in the field of tumor immunity, Philippe is the inventor of cDNA cloning, a technological revolution that has led to modern genomics. Philippe is a member of the French Academy of Sciences and Professor at the Collège de France, a former member of the Singapore Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Council and Chairman of the Singapore Immunology Network.

5
Philippe Kourilsky

Maya Shmulevitz, PhD

Maya Shmulevitz is Professor of Molecular Virology at the University of Alberta, Canada. Maya is an internationally recognized expert whose work has contributed to the understanding of the biology of reoviruses, in particular to the understanding of the lifecycle, molecular engineering, production and use of these oncolytic viruses for immunotherapy purposes. She holds the Research Chair in Molecular Virology and Oncology for Canada.

5
Pierre Chambon

Pierre Chambon, MD, PhD

Pierre Chambon is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at the University of Strasbourg and Honorary Professor at the Collège de France, Paris. He is the founder and former director of the Institute of Genetics and Cellular and Molecular Biology (IGBMC, Strasbourg, France) and the Institut Clinique de la Souris (MCI, Strasbourg). Pierre has done pioneering work on the structure of eukaryotic genes and their regulation. He received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his work in this field and the Gairdner Foundation International Award for the discovery of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Pierre is a member of the French, Swedish and U.S. National Academies of Sciences.

5
Christian Bréchot

Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD

Christian Bréchot is Professor of Hepatology at the University Paris Descartes and a molecular virologist. Christian’s research has had a groundbreaking impact on chronic HBV and HCV infections on liver carcinogenesis as well as on the understanding of the mechanisms of liver regeneration. After heading the Department of Hepatology and an INSERM unit at the Necker-Enfants Malades Faculty of Medicine, Christian served as Chief Executive Officer of INSERM (the French National Institute for Medical Research), Vice President of the Mérieux Institute, and then President of the Pasteur Institute of Paris. He is now President of the Global Virus Network.

5
Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée, MD, PhD

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée is Professor of Hepatology at the University of Paris XI and Hepatobiliary Center at Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif (France). Jean-Charles is an internationally recognized expert in severe acute and chronic liver diseases. Among other activities, he directs the Reference Center for the Management of Wilson’s Disease in Adults and the Departement Hospitalo-Universitaire (DHU) Hepatinov of Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, which promotes innovative therapeutic and diagnostic advances in liver disease care.

5
Philippe Kourilsky

Daniel Metzger, PhD

Jean-Charles Duclos-Vallée is Professor of Hepatology at the University of Paris XI and Hepatobiliary Center at Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif (France). Jean-Charles is an internationally recognized expert in severe acute and chronic liver diseases. Among other activities, he directs the Reference Center for the Management of Wilson’s Disease in Adults and the Departement Hospitalo-Universitaire (DHU) Hepatinov of Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, which promotes innovative therapeutic and diagnostic advances in liver disease care.