LXRepair's history, awards, team, partners, localization

History

The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has been studying the impact of radiation on DNA for several decades. This research has resulted in a good understanding of the essential DNA repair mechanisms.
Recently, a set of innovative biomarkers was developed providing a complete functional signature for these mechanisms. This signature is now exploited as part of powerful tools for personalized cancer treatment.

DNA Repair meets diagnostics

LXRepair is a CEA spin-off building on over 25 years' research into the science behind DNA repair mechanisms and in vitro diagnostics for cancer.

Awards

Ministry of High Education, Reasearch and Innovation Awards Company of Innovative Technology

Team

Sylvie SAUVAIGO, PhD

Founder, Chief Scientific Officer

Sylvie Sauvaigo founded LXRepair, a CEA’s spin-off, in 2013. She is responsible for LXRepair R&D and clinical programs.

She is graduated of the INSA school of Engineering and has a strong background in chemistry and biochemistry. She got her PhD from University of Grenoble.

Passionate about innovation and technological breakthroughs she started her carrier as Project Manager at Cis bio international where she developed innovative diagnostic assays for infectious diseases. She joined CEA where she focused on DNA damage and DNA Repair. She led a group in the Technologies for health program to develop first-of-its-kind technology for DNA Repair characterization.

Stéphane ATALBA, LXRepair CEO, PhD, ESCP

Stéphane ALTABA, ESCP, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Stéphane Altaba, 55 year-old, holds a PhD in biotechnology (INPL) and a degree from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP-Europe). From 1994 and for more than 12 years, Stéphane Altaba held various responsibilities within the Sanofi Group: from R&D to Industrial Affairs, then Business Development. The last position he held at Sanofi was Group Director of Oncology Agreements and Licensing.

During his 9 years with Nordic Pharma, he established several strategic partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies and set up a network of subsidiaries in Europe for the marketing of the company's main products.

In 2015, he joined Genomic Vision a molecular diagnostics company where he was a member of the board and Chief Operating Officer. He successfully reorganized the company around the main markets of interest, in diagnostics, bioproduction and precision medicine, which led to a significant growth in sales.

François Xavier Desforges, experienced Manager of innovative start-ups companies

François-Xavier DESFORGES, PhD

Chief Financial Officer

FX Desforges is an experienced Manager of High Technologies/Innovative start-ups companies in various markets (Health, Maritime, Instrumentation, …) with a broad experience in various domains (Sales & Marketing of Innovative Products, Finance, Business Plan, HR, R&D, …). Recently, he was CEO of Prestodiag SAS, a diagnostic company in food safety and from 2007, he was CEO of Genewave SAS where he engineered the merger with Mobidiag in 2013. Mobidiag was acquired by Hologic in 2021 for 800 M$.

François-Xavier graduated from ENS Cachan in 1983 and earned a PhD in Electronics from University of Limoges in 1989.

Dr Thierry MAILLET, LXRepair Diagnostic & QMS Manager

Thierry MAILLET, PhD

Chief Technical Officer

Thierry Maillet joined LXRepair in February 2018 as Diagnostic Development and Quality Manager.

Thierry earned a PhD in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Orléans.

Thierry has over 25 years of experience in the in vitro diagnostic industry.

After 18 years at Stago as Development and Manufacturing manager, he spent nearly 5 years at the French regulatory authority for health products safety as a Certified Inspector.

Sarah LIBERT

R&D Engineer, Lab Manager Quality, Service, Production

Sarah Libert joined LXRepair in 2014 as research engineer.

She has a Master Degree in biotechnology from the University of Science of Grenoble. She currently holds the position of service and production manager and is actively involved in implementation of quality management system and R&D programs.

Throughout her career, she has developed skills in cell culture, molecular biology and biochips.

Prior to join LXRepair, she spent 7 years working in a biotechnology start-up environment at Mellitech.

Dr Giovanna MUGGIOLU

R&D Project Leader

Dr. Giovanna Muggiolu joined LXRepair in November 2017 as Head of Research and Development. Her research focuses on defining a DNA Repair enzymatic signature that characterizes the patient’s response to radio and chemotherapy. Her prior research focused on molecular mechanisms induced by ionizing radiation for emerging cancer therapies. She received her M.A. from the University of Turin in Medical Biotechnologies and PhD from Bordeaux University in Cellular Biology and Physiopathology.

Bertrand TREILLARD

R&D & Quality Engineer

Bertrand Treillard joined LXRepair in September 2017 as an Engineer in Research and Development and is particularly involved in the development of LXRepair diagnostic tests. He specializes in biotechnology and molecular diagnostics. Prior to joining LXRepair, Bertrand worked on the technical development of an in vitro diagnostic test at ImmunID, allowing to obtain CE marking for the test and CLIA certification for the Lab.

Xavier TATIN

PhD student

Xavier Tatin joined LXRepair in 2018 and he is currently doing a PhD in collaboration with a CEA lab. Graduated in 2017 from AgroParisTech he also holds a master’s degree in biotechnology. His doctoral work is focused on the development and the validation of a new enzymatic assay for the characterization of DNA double-strand breaks repair. He also worked at the University of Otago in New Zealand and at Nova Southeastern University (FL, USA).

Maria Olivia SANTIAGO

PhD student

Marta Oliva Santiago, PhD student, member of our Research & Innovation team, joined LXRepair in 2019. She is involved in the International Training Network ”aDDRess” (Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, https://www.itn-address.gr). Marta set up rapid multiplexed screening methods for DNA repair inhibitors identification and characterization using LXRepair test platform.

Rajat BUCHA

PhD student

Rajat Bucha, PhD student, member of our Research & Innovation team, joined LXRepair in 2019. He is involved in the International Training Network ”HealthAge” (Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, href="https://www.itn-healthage.gr). Rajat is studying the consequences of aging on DNA repair activities, particularly in the context of p53 mutations, and is working on the miniaturization of DNA repair tests.

Sarah LIBERT

R&D Engineer, Lab Manager Quality, Service, Production

Sarah Libert joined LXRepair in 2014 as research engineer.

She has a Master Degree in biotechnology from the University of Science of Grenoble. She currently holds the position of service and production manager and is actively involved in implementation of quality management system and R&D programs.

Throughout her career, she has developed skills in cell culture, molecular biology and biochips.

Prior to join LXRepair, she spent 7 years working in a biotechnology start-up environment at Mellitech.

Dr Giovanna MUGGIOLU

R&D Project Leader

Dr. Giovanna Muggiolu joined LXRepair in November 2017 as Head of Research and Development. Her research focuses on defining a DNA Repair enzymatic signature that characterizes the patient’s response to radio and chemotherapy. Her prior research focused on molecular mechanisms induced by ionizing radiation for emerging cancer therapies. She received her M.A. from the University of Turin in Medical Biotechnologies and PhD from Bordeaux University in Cellular Biology and Physiopathology.

Bertrand TREILLARD

R&D & Quality Engineer

Bertrand Treillard joined LXRepair in September 2017 as an Engineer in Research and Development and is particularly involved in the development of LXRepair diagnostic tests. He specializes in biotechnology and molecular diagnostics. Prior to joining LXRepair, Bertrand worked on the technical development of an in vitro diagnostic test at ImmunID, allowing to obtain CE marking for the test and CLIA certification for the Lab.

Rajat BUCHA

PhD student

Rajat Bucha, PhD student, member of our Research & Innovation team, joined LXRepair in 2019. He is involved in the International Training Network ”HealthAge” (Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, href="https://www.itn-healthage.gr). Rajat is studying the consequences of aging on DNA repair activities, particularly in the context of p53 mutations, and is working on the miniaturization of DNA repair tests.

Maria Olivia SANTIAGO

PhD student

Marta Oliva Santiago, PhD student, member of our Research & Innovation team, joined LXRepair in 2019. She is involved in the International Training Network ”aDDRess” (Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, https://www.itn-address.gr). Marta set up rapid multiplexed screening methods for DNA repair inhibitors identification and characterization using LXRepair test platform.

Rajat BUCHA

PhD student

Rajat Bucha, PhD student, member of our Research & Innovation team, joined LXRepair in 2019. He is involved in the International Training Network ”HealthAge” (Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, href="https://www.itn-healthage.gr). Rajat is studying the consequences of aging on DNA repair activities, particularly in the context of p53 mutations, and is working on the miniaturization of DNA repair tests.

Strategic Committee

Gwenaël HAMON

Investment chief at KREAXI

Gwenaël started his career in 2009 in the Innovation Capital team of Siparex Group, before joining the Kreaxi in December 2012.

To date, he has financed nearly thirty companies, two of which are now listed, and several of which have been sold: Docea Power (Intel), Argosim (Dassault Systèmes), Itris Automation Square (Schneider Electric)...

He is a member of the Investment Committee of SATT Linksium (Grenoble).

Gwenaël is a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers and of the Specialised Master in Financial Engineering of EM Lyon.

Celia HART

PhD, MBA, General Partner at Supernova Invest

Celia has more than 20 years of experience in the chemical and biotechnology sector. She joined CEA Investissement (now Supernova Invest) in 2005 and has since carried out the investments in several companies operating mainly in life sciences. She serves (or has served) on the Boards of several companies including Acusurgical, Algaia, Carthéra, Diabeloop, Fermentalg, Keranova, NH Theraguix, Uromems and Theranexus.

Prior to that Celia mainly worked for Cambridge Antibody Technology one of the most successful UK biotechnology companies (now Medimmune following its acquisition by Astra Zenena) holding different managing and product development positions including Head of Lead Optimization. She was involved in the development of several therapeutic antibodies in including some in collaboration with international biotechnology or pharmaceutical partners.
Celia holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Geneva (Switzerland), a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford (UK) and an MBA from Grenoble École de Management (France).

Guy RIGAUD

Founder and CEO successively of the venture capital firms Sofimac and Rhône-Alpes Création (Kreaxi). More than 30 years of experience in seed and venture capital. Currently leader of a group of investors in Lyon.

Member of the Supervisory Board of Kalray (Euronext growth ALKAL) and Pherecydes Pharma (Euronext growth ALPHE).

Chirstian Zbylut, CEO and international top management positions in logistics, transports, supply-chain management

Christian ZBYLUT

Christian Zbylut brings 35 years of experience in CEO and international top management positions in the field of logistics, transportation, and supply-chain management. In 2013, he setup an investment fund focusing on disruptive industry start-ups.

He served as regional CEO for Gefco Group before the sale of the company to the Russian Railways in December 2012. He started his career as international director for Heppner in Germany before joining Eurotunnel as freight director, and later Chep, as CEO for France. Christian Zbylut earned a Master‘s Degree in international business from the École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales in Angers.

Sophie MANUEL

Sophie Manuel is an experienced Cardiologist. She also works as an auriculo-therapist in cancerology or as an clinical and marketing expert.

Christian DELAROCHE

Christian is passionate about entrepreneurship and has a broad experience in transformational change of companies from research to commercial stage. He is an active Business Angel in studying and reviewing innovative projects before investment and, more importantly, in accompanying startups teams to manage their business.

He has been 15 years, President of the Supervisory Board and now Board Member of Tennaxia, a company dedicated to sustainable development. He is Board member of Seekyo and Wefight, two startups operating in the health domain.

He is member of Centrale Supélec Business Angels helping students to build their business plan for startup creation.

Previously, for 30 years, he has occupied various managing positions in engineering and marketing within IBM France and IBM Europe.

Christian is a graduate engineer from the École Centrale de Paris.

Gwenaël HAMON

Investment chief at KREAXI

Gwenaël started his career in 2009 in the Innovation Capital team of Siparex Group, before joining the Kreaxi in December 2012.

To date, he has financed nearly thirty companies, two of which are now listed, and several of which have been sold: Docea Power (Intel), Argosim (Dassault Systèmes), Itris Automation Square (Schneider Electric)...

He is a member of the Investment Committee of SATT Linksium (Grenoble).

Gwenaël is a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers and of the Specialised Master in Financial Engineering of EM Lyon.

Celia HART

PhD, MBA, General Partner at Supernova Invest

Celia has more than 20 years of experience in the chemical and biotechnology sector. She joined CEA Investissement (now Supernova Invest) in 2005 and has since carried out the investments in several companies operating mainly in life sciences. She serves (or has served) on the Boards of several companies including Acusurgical, Algaia, Carthéra, Diabeloop, Fermentalg, Keranova, NH Theraguix, Uromems and Theranexus.

Prior to that Celia mainly worked for Cambridge Antibody Technology one of the most successful UK biotechnology companies (now Medimmune following its acquisition by Astra Zenena) holding different managing and product development positions including Head of Lead Optimization. She was involved in the development of several therapeutic antibodies in including some in collaboration with international biotechnology or pharmaceutical partners.
Celia holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Geneva (Switzerland), a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford (UK) and an MBA from Grenoble École de Management (France).

Guy RIGAUD

Founder and CEO successively of the venture capital firms Sofimac and Rhône-Alpes Création (Kreaxi). More than 30 years of experience in seed and venture capital. Currently leader of a group of investors in Lyon.

Member of the Supervisory Board of Kalray (Euronext growth ALKAL) and Pherecydes Pharma (Euronext growth ALPHE).

Christian DELAROCHE

Christian is passionate about entrepreneurship and has a broad experience in transformational change of companies from research to commercial stage. He is an active Business Angel in studying and reviewing innovative projects before investment and, more importantly, in accompanying startups teams to manage their business.

He has been 15 years, President of the Supervisory Board and now Board Member of Tennaxia, a company dedicated to sustainable development. He is Board member of Seekyo and Wefight, two startups operating in the health domain.

He is member of Centrale Supélec Business Angels helping students to build their business plan for startup creation.

Previously, for 30 years, he has occupied various managing positions in engineering and marketing within IBM France and IBM Europe.

Christian is a graduate engineer from the École Centrale de Paris.

Sophie MANUEL

Sophie Manuel is an experienced Cardiologist. She also works as an auriculo-therapist in cancerology or as an clinical and marketing expert.

Christian DELAROCHE

Christian is passionate about entrepreneurship and has a broad experience in transformational change of companies from research to commercial stage. He is an active Business Angel in studying and reviewing innovative projects before investment and, more importantly, in accompanying startups teams to manage their business.

He has been 15 years, President of the Supervisory Board and now Board Member of Tennaxia, a company dedicated to sustainable development. He is Board member of Seekyo and Wefight, two startups operating in the health domain.

He is member of Centrale Supélec Business Angels helping students to build their business plan for startup creation.

Previously, for 30 years, he has occupied various managing positions in engineering and marketing within IBM France and IBM Europe.

Christian is a graduate engineer from the École Centrale de Paris.