Neuvasq Appoints Former UCB Ventures VP and Partner Emmanuel Lacroix as Chief Executive Officer and Expands Its Board of Directors

Neuvasq Biotechnologies, a ULB spin-off developing pharmaceuticals to restore blood-brain barrier function, announces the appointment of Emmanuel Lacroix, PhD, MBA, as Chief Executive Officer and company director.

The appointment is a key step in expanding the Neuvasq leadership team, with Lacroix’ skills as an accomplished biotech executive complementing the expertise of Neuvasq Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Benoit Vanhollebeke. Neuvasq also announces that Yves Ribeill, CEO, Ribogenics, and Richard Porter, Chief Business Officer, uniQure, have joined its Board as Independent Directors.

Michel Allé, Neuvasq Chair of the Board: “Emmanuel’s broad leadership experience in pharma and biotech – which includes accomplishments in venture capital, business development, strategy, and operations – will help Neuvasq to realize its potential and propel this company on to the next stage. We are very pleased to welcome him onboard the Neuvasq team.”

Benoit Vanhollebeke, Neuvasq CSO: “Neuvasq’s therapeutic approach is based on novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that control the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. The company’s efforts have so far centered on preclinical research, determining how best to target these pathways to restore lost neurovascular function. Emmanuel’s expertise will provide Neuvasq with first-rate guidance as this company and technology matures with the perspective to initiate the preclinical development of our therapeutic solutions.”

Emmanuel Lacroix, Neuvasq CEO: “I am exceedingly grateful for the solid support of our Series A investors, and excited for the opportunity to lead this company as we take Benoit Vanhollebeke’s pioneering insights to the next level. Together with the rest of the Neuvasq team, I look forward to developing products with the potential to benefit millions of patients around the world affected by neurological disorders.”

Dr. Lacroix joins Neuvasq from UCB Ventures, a corporate venture group where he served as founding VP and Partner. Earlier, Dr. Lacroix held leadership positions in Business Development, Sales, and Global Marketing at UCB, as well as Discovery Research for Gene Editing at Cellectis SA. He previously served on the Boards of Esobiotec, Walden Biosciences, Syndesi Therapeutics (acquired by AbbVie), and as observer, Locanabio and Lumos (Nasdaq: LUMO).