Stéphane Boissel

Despite recent advances in diagnostics, imaging, medical devices and surgical procedures, there has been limited progress in pharmacological treatments for a number of neurological and neuro-oncological pathologies. For pathologies like central and peripheral nervous system injuries, degenerative diseases and tumours of the nervous system, the unmet medical needs are countless and there is growing expectation from the medical community, the patients and their relatives to benefit from clinically proven solutions in the future that will save and/or improve the lives of many. The limited efficacy of approved therapies for some of these pathologies and the orphan nature of others has prompted the urgent need for new researches and therapeutic strategies. At Pharmaxon, as the pioneers of a novel pharmacological approach based on cell mobility modulation, the firm is developing the future 'control keys' for improving the nervous system's endogenous regeneration, modulating neuronal networks plasticity, and inhibiting the processes which underlie tumour cell proliferation and migration. This is obtained by modulating the activity of specific adhesion molecules implicated in cell migration, cell adhesion and cell growth. Based on such a targeted strategy, Pharmaxon is opening up new avenues for the medical management of some serious, poorly-treated, neurology and neuro-oncology pathologies. To date, this has led to three R&D programs which have reached proof-of-principle, confirming the therapeutic potential of this innovative approach, in clinic stage by 2008.

Genclis SA operates as a holding company with interest in providing research services to the medical and biotechnology firms. The company was founded by Jean Cinqualbre in 2006 and is headquartered in Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.

PricewaterhouseCoopers France provides accounting and business management consulting services. It offers expertise in auditing, financial strategy, legal advise, and investment. The company was founded on May 30, 1963 and is headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

Based in Lyon within the Center of excellence in Infectious Diseases, Platine Pharma Services is an essential source of immune information for scientists and clinicians. From protocol support to regulatory reports, the company designs, performs and interprets complex molecular and cellular assays. Platine actively supports the development of in-vitro diagnostic, cosmetic and therapeutic product candidates, highlighting key markers and features in both normal and pathological conditions, and guiding decisions at each development stage. Using state-of-the-art technologies such as multi-parametric flow cytometry, Singulex, Luminex, Mesoscale Discovery, ELISpot or ELISA, Platine Pharma Services offers a fit-for-purpose approach to its customers and partners.

Transgene Tasly (Tianjin) Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. engages in theresearch and development, and manufacture of immunotherapies for the treatment of oncology and infectious diseases. Its business scope includes biopharmaceutical technology development, technology transfer, and related technical advisory services. The company was founded on July 26, 2010 and is headquartered in Tianjin, China.

ElsaLys Biotech SAS provides therapeutic monoclonal antibody player services. It involves in cellular events at the core of the pathological process: immune response, angiogenesis, survival, proliferation, adhesion and migration. The company also designs and develops a new generation of antibodies that target tumors and their immune microenvironment. ElsaLys Biotech was founded by Christine Guillen, Thierry Menguy, Vanessa Duong, and Martine Brandt in 2013 and is headquartered in Lyon, France.

SparingVision SAS develops therapeutic approach for treatment of blinding inherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. The company was founded by Jose Alain Sahel, Thierry Leveillard and Florence Allouche Ghrenassia and is headquartered in Paris, France.

EG 427 is a French biotechnology company that specializes in gene therapy. The location of the company is unknown. The company was founded by Alberto Epstein, François Giuliano, and Philippe O. Chambon, with Philippe O. Chambon serving as CEO since incorporation.