Founding Team

CEO

Etienne D. Jacotot, PhD
Co-founder and CEO, IPCURE
Etienne Jacotot is a distinguished biomedical researcher and biotech entrepreneur with deep expertise in apoptosis, regulated cell death, and therapeutic innovation. Etienne has held academic roles such as Research Director at INSERM, Visiting Professor at Imperial College London (2009-2014), and Visiting Professor at Columbia University (2020-2022), where he received the Schaefer Award for his outstanding contributions to medical research.
Etienne has authored 87 publications (H index = 41) with over 12,800 citations and is a named inventor of 31 patent applications. His innovative work has been recognised with three awards from the French i-Lab entrepreneurial competition (2001, 2002, 2022). He co-founded and led a VC-backed biotech company for eight years (2001-2008), Theraptosis S.A., where he conducted the full preclinical development of a neuro-active drug candidate.
Over the past 20 years, Etienne has concentrated his research primarily on Caspase-2, exploring its pivotal role in disease pathology. His work has spanned from uncovering the fundamental mechanisms of Caspase-2 to designing and developing targeted therapies to leverage its potential for therapeutic intervention. In this endeavor, he has collaborated with leading experts, further advancing the understanding of this often-overlooked caspase and positioning it as a key target in various pathological conditions.

Advisory Board Member

Frédéric Jacotot, LLM
Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member, IPCURE
With over 30 years of expertise in intellectual property contracts and corporate law within the pharmaceutical industry, Frédéric Jacotot brings a wealth of experience to IPCURE.
Frédéric began his career at Fournier Pharma, where he established and led the legal affairs department. He later held senior legal counsel roles at Solvay Pharma (2007-2010) and Abbott (2010-2013), gaining extensive experience with major pharmaceutical companies.
He then joined Valneva, where he served as General Counsel and member of the management board for over a decade. During this time, Frédéric played a pivotal role in shaping Valneva's legal and corporate strategies, overseeing key corporate transactions, including the company's Nasdaq listing and other global offerings. His leadership helped Valneva navigate complex regulatory environments and drive its strategic initiatives forward.

CMO & Advisory Board member

Jean-Pierre Kinet, MD
Co-founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Advisory Board Member, IPCURE
Dr Jean-Pierre Kinet is a distinguished French-American immunologist with a robust track record spanning over 30 years in both academia and the biotechnology industry. He is an Emeritus Professor at Harvard Medical School, where he has made significant contributions to immunology, particularly in the understanding of allergic responses and immune system regulation. Dr. Kinet's academic work has been pivotal in the identification of key molecular mechanisms that underpin immune reactions, making him a highly respected figure in the field.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Kinet has been deeply involved in the biotechnology sector, where he has leveraged his scientific expertise to drive innovation and development. He has served in various leadership roles within private biotechnology ventures, contributing to the development of new therapies.
Dr. Kinet also serves as Managing Director of iXLife Capital, a private venture fund focused on life sciences and biotechnology. His dual expertise, in both the scientific and business aspects of biotechnology, makes him a key figure in the intersection of research and commercialization.

Advisory Board member

Bernadette Bung, BBA, co-founder & advisory board member, IPCURE,
Bernadette Bung is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the high-tech and biotech sectors. She co-founded MicroBrain BT, a pioneer Deeptech company specialising in developing biological neuronal networks on chip, where she served as CEO for 10 years. This innovation developed by MicroBrain BT has been pivotal in accelerating drug development by providing advanced models that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of preclinical testing, particularly in alignment with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) principles in animal testing.
Bernadette led MicroBrain BT from its inception to strategic initiatives that bridged the gap between cutting-edge science and practical applications in drug discovery. Her entrepreneurial achievements have been internationally recognised, earning her a spot among the World's Top 100 Entrepreneurs by GEN Global.

Scientific Advisory Board

Prof. Sylviane Muller

PhD, Director Institut du Medicament Strasbourg, France
Prof. Andreas Villunger

PhD, Director Developmental Immunology Division, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Prof. Michael Shelanski

MD, PhD, Vice Dean of Research Columbia University NYC, United States
Prof Michael Karin

MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology University California San Diego School of Medecine La Jola, United States
Prof. Carol Troy

MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology and Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center, NYC, United States

Advisory Board

Prof. Sylviane Muller