Experience

Smart Immune

• Wellness and Fitness Services

• Chief Medical Officer

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Smart Immune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. Through its patented and proprietary ex vivo lymphoid technology, Smart Immune has developed a T-cell progenitor-based cell therapy platform, called the ProTcell™ platform. It has been designed to enable rapid and full re-arming of the immune system, so patients can fight life-threatening disorders. Smart Immune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. Through its patented and proprietary ex vivo lymphoid technology, Smart Immune has developed a T-cell progenitor-based cell therapy platform, called the ProTcell™ platform. It has been designed to enable rapid and full re-arming of the immune system, so patients can fight life-threatening disorders.



Celyad

• Belgium
• Research Services

• Head Oncology Franchise, Vice President

  • Sep 2015 - Sep 2022

  Celyad is a biopharmaceutical company focused on translating breakthrough cell-based research into innovative therapeutics to improve the outcome of severe diseases. The Company is currently developing clinical stage cell therapies. In oncology, the company is developing CAR T-cell therapies. The lead product NKG2D CAR T-cell is an autologous T-cell transduced with a NKG2D receptor present on Natural Killer (NK) cells that binds to numerous types of cancer cells, including blood cancers and solid tumors. Lead and define the global clinical strategy , in alignment with Celyad’s Corporate Clinical Development strategy and overall business strategy. Show less



GSK

• United Kingdom
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President, Head Incubator (R&D and Early Clinical Development) WW, Cancer Immunotherapeutics

  • Mar 2014 - Sep 2015

  Lead the R&D and Early Clinical Development Business Unit (INCUBATOR) for Cancer Immunotherapeutics with the objective to bring product, companion diagnostics and predictive biomarkers from discovery to registration development in a fully integrated and transversal model.Leadership of a global team focused on integrating translational science into drug and biomarkers discovery and development to improve the speed and probability of success of bringing novel cancer immunotherapies to patients. Team of 66 persons with diverse background such as MDs, scientists (immunology, biology, molecular biology) and clinical operations.Entrepreneurial mindset in evaluating, establishing and leading strategic partnerships and collaborations with external institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry partners.Achieve goals through scientific and business excellence focused on implementation and execution. Experiences include leading line and matrix management, as well as external business development. Show less

• Vice President, Head of Early Clinical Development WW, Cancer Immunotherapeutics

  • Mar 2003 - Feb 2014

  Director (2003-2012), Vice President (2013).Leading and accountable for the co-ordination and management of the WW GSK cancer vaccines early clinical development program (MAGE-A3, WT1, NY-ESO-1, PRAME, HER-2, Tn, …) with the objective to bring product, companion diagnostics and predictive biomarkers from discovery to proof of concept.Actively participating in the global strategy of cancer vaccines clinical development and the cancer antigens portfolio. Identify, establish and lead strategic partnerships and collaborations with external institutions and pharmaceutical industry partners.Based in USA, Philadelphia (2008-2010). Show less



EORTC

• Belgium
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Medical Advisor and Translational Research Unit Coordinator

  • 1999 - Mar 2003

  European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Provide methodological expertise in protocols development and coordination of Phase I to III clinical trials addressing various anti-cancer therapeutic approaches, including cancer vaccine modalities. Close interaction with pharmaceutical / biotechnology sponsoring companies. Coordinator of the EORTC Data Center Translational Research Unit providing a support to the Clinical and the Laboratory Research Divisions of the EORTC to facilitate TR programs and to provide laboratory support to EORTC Clinical Trials. Show less



Jules Bordet Cancer Center

• Residency, Medical Oncology

  • 1997 - 1999

  Phase I/II Unit with primary interest in melanoma, cancer vaccines and drug early clinical development. Phase I/II Unit with primary interest in melanoma, cancer vaccines and drug early clinical development.



Ludwig Cancer Research (Brussels)

• Research Scientist

  • 1990 - 1994

  Research and characterization on genes coding for tumor antigens recognized by human cytolytic T lymphocytes and targets for cancer vaccines. Professional use of state-of-the-art technologies in genetics molecular biology and cellular immunology. Supervision of lab technicians and of final year MD students. Initiation of international scientific collaborations. Research and characterization on genes coding for tumor antigens recognized by human cytolytic T lymphocytes and targets for cancer vaccines. Professional use of state-of-the-art technologies in genetics molecular biology and cellular immunology. Supervision of lab technicians and of final year MD students. Initiation of international scientific collaborations.