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Igyxos Biotherapeutics Strengthens Its Leadership Team with the Appointments of Florent Ferré as CEO and Dr. Elke Bestel as Chief Medical Officer
Tours, December 19, 2024 – Igyxos Biotherapeutics, a pioneering biotechnology company developing a new class of monoclonal antibodies for infertility, today announced the appointments of Florent Ferré as Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Elke Bestel as Chief Medical Officer to reinforce its management team and executive committee.
“I am delighted to welcome Florent and Elke to our leadership team. Their extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry will be invaluable for the further clinical development of our lead drug candidate, IGX12, currently in Phase I. We congratulate Florent and Elke and wish them great success in their new role, ” said Sylvie Bove, Chair of the Board of Directors at Igyxos Biotherapeutics.
"I am very excited to join the company during this pivotal growth phase and look forward to contributing to Igyxos continued success. According to the World Health Organization, infertility affects one in every six people worldwide and I firmly believe that IGX12 has the potential to transform the treatment of infertility,” said Florent Ferré, CEO of Igyxos Biotherapeutics.
“I am delighted to join Igyxos Biotherapeutics, given the scientific and clinical excellence of the project. I am confident that our drug candidate, IGX12, will transform infertility treatment, becoming a game-changer in male infertility as well as assisted reproductive technology and ultimately offering increased chances of parenthood to couples facing infertility,” added Dr. Elke Bestel, Chief Medical Officer of Igyxos Biotherapeutics.
Infertility: A Global Public Health Challenge
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system. It is defined by the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It can lead to significant distress, stigma, and financial hardship, impacting the mental and psychosocial well-being of affected individuals. According to WHO, infertility is a global health issue that affects nearly 48 million couples and 186 million individuals.
Igyxos’ approach contributes to improving fertility through a new class of antibodies that stimulate Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) activity. Its flagship therapeutic solution, IGX12, is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the activity of FSH, a hormone essential for reproduction. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that IGX12 multiplies FSH efficacy, promoting spermatogenesis in men and oocyte maturation in women.
Florent Ferré’s biography
Florent Ferré has acquired broad international and leadership experience over the last 20 years in the Healthcare industry. Before joining Igyxos, he founded a consultancy firm in 2022, supporting European biotech companies on fund raising and business development activities. Prior to that, he has spent 16 years at Sanofi in corporate mergers & acquisitions and in finance positions, in both developed and emerging countries.
Florent holds a Master of Science in Biology and Physiology from Pierre and Marie Curie University. He is a graduate from EDHEC Business School and holds an executive corporate finance certificate from London Business School.
Dr. Elke Bestel’s biography
Elke Bestel has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Her areas of expertise include women's health, with a focus on fertility and reproductive medicine. From 2008 to 2022, she served as a medical and operational lead, overseeing several clinical development programs for biotech companies. She played a key role in developing new chemical entities, including Yselty® (ObsEva) for uterine fibroids and endometriosis, and Esmya® (PregLem) for uterine fibroids.
Dr. Bestel holds a medical degree from Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany, and completed her studies at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. She received her training in gynecology and obstetrics in Switzerland.
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About Igyxos
Founded in 2017 by Igyxos Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Marie-Christine Maurel, Igyxos Biotherapeutics is a French biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for infertility in men and women. In November 2023, Igyxos initiated a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of IGX12 in healthy volunteers, with results expected in 2025. Since its inception, the company has raised €24 million in funding, including €19 million in equity from business angels and historical investors (Bpifrance via its Biotechnology Health Acceleration Fund, Go Capital, UI Investissement, etc.) and €5 million in loans and repayable advances from Bpifrance and regional funding bodies to support its Phase I development.
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