Breakfast – Conferences BioQuébec

Find out more about our speakers:

Claude Leduc: Claude is Co-founder, President and CEO of RNA Technologies & Therapeutics. His 38-year career has made him a seasoned professional in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has held key positions with Fortune 500 and private companies such as Syntex Labs, Serono Labs, Biomatrix and Genzyme Biosurgery. Within these companies, he led sales, marketing and international business development initiatives. Claude is also a serial entrepreneur and investor, having steered the course of several startups. He was in charge of teams through various stages of development, from R&D to clinical trials and marketing of products in various therapeutic fields (regenerative medicine, vertebroplasty, biopolymers and proteomics). During his tenure as CEO of start-up companies, he raised over $70 million in equity and debenture financing in both private and public contexts. His unwavering commitment to the advancement of therapeutic technologies continues to propel RNA Technologies & Therapeutics to new frontiers of success.

Benoit Larose: Benoit Larose is President and CEO of BioQuébec. Mr. Larose has over 35 years’ experience in the life sciences sector. He has worked in R&D, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of medical supplies and devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. He has solid experience in business development and corporate finance. Mr. Larose has a wealth of experience and a vast network in the industry and in the Canadian ecosystem, having worked for Canadian and international companies of all sizes. He also holds an MBA from HEC Montréal.

Yvan Côté: Yvan is an accomplished senior executive who, since 1992, has successfully transformed businesses into success stories in the diagnostics and pharmaceutical industries. Yvan joined Neopharm Labs in July 2021 from Dynacare Genetics and Specialty Service, where he held the position of General Manager. During this time, Yvan received the LabCorp Chairman Award in 2015 for his work in the areas of scientific leadership, customer focus, and for being the main driving force behind the creation of a leading national laboratory testing company. More recently, he was also selected for the Hero Award in recognition of his extraordinary performance in the response to the Covid-19 epidemic. Prior to joining Dynacare, Yvan was Vice President, Research and Development, and General Manager of Warnex for eight years. He also headed Biochem’s R&D department for seven years. Yvan holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the Université de Sherbrooke, and has extensive industry knowledge in the fields of life sciences, clinical development, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, infectious diseases, microbiology and immunology.

Véronique Dugas: For nearly 15 years, Véronique Dugas has been interested in advancing innovations and actively contributing to the growth of the Canadian life sciences ecosystem. She joined the CQDM in January 2018 as Program Director and now holds the role of Vice-President, scientific affairs. Prior to her arrival at CQDM, she familiarized herself with the training and collaborative research funding environment at Mitacs. Véronique holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology. She then completed an MBA, followed by a short graduate program in program, project and service evaluation. More recently, Véronique was selected to take part in the very first cohort of Women in Bio’s Canadian Board Governance Excellence Program.