Ipsen science boss, R&D Vice President Claude Bertrand leaves

French drugmaker Ipsen said on Monday that Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice President, R&D, Chief Scientific Officer, will step down in January 2017, to join another company. Ipsen did not say which one,

Claude Bertnard has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery & development with International experience in major pharma, including Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

Senior Vice President, Alexandre Lebeaut, MD, will lead the R&D division in the interim. Dr. Lebeaut, engaged in Global Drug Development department of Ipsen joined the company in 2012. He has spent more than two decades in large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, with extensive international experience.

David Meek, CEO of Ipsen, said, “On behalf of the company, I would like to thank Dr. Bertrand for his significant contribution to leading the R&D organization during the past seven years. We wish him well as he moves on to pursue a new opportunity. We are fortunate to have an experienced and successful R&D leader like Dr. Lebeaut to step up and lead the R&D team.”