Tetra Bio-Pharma announced it has strengthened its management team in preparation for the initiation of its commercial activities with the appointments of Dr Anne-Sophie Courtois to the position of VP of Marketing, effective immediately and Bernard Lessard to the position of CFO, effective 18 September 2017.
Lessard will be replacing Mr. Sabino Di Paola as CFO of the corporation.
Bernard Fortier, CEO of Tetra Bio-Pharma, said: "I am very proud and pleased to be able to count on Dr Courtois and Lessard as members of our executive team. They will be playing a key role as Tetra imminently initiates its commercial activities and generates revenues in 2017.
"These highly skilled and experienced individuals will further strengthen our organisation as we execute our strategy and refine the tactics that will position Tetra as a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery, with a clinical programme aimed at bringing novel drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers."
Dr Courtois has been working in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 10 years in Europe and North America. She held the role as Director of Marketing and Scientific Affairs at Jamp Pharma (generic division) and Orimed Pharma (medical division) for more than 4 years where she successfully led the marketing team to a 150% growth in sales while preparing the strategic plans for the medical and generic divisions.
She managed the marketing of the fastest growing Canadian generic company, which launched over 120 products in that time. In addition, she managed the marketing of the medical division, successfully launching more than 10 branded products, prescription and OTC under medical recommendation, in a wide diversity of therapeutic areas (osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, pain management and vitamin deficiency).
She has international experience managing product lines and scientific and commercial training of multiple sales teams across Canada, US and Europe in retail with natural health products, generics and prescription brands.
Her core expertise is building brands with a strong identity that have a credible scientific background while fulfilling an unmet need on the market for patients and health care professionals. Dr Courtois is a veterinary doctor and holds a Specialised Masters in management and entrepreneurship from HEC Paris.
Lessard has considerable experience as an executive in the life sciences sector serving as a member of the c-suite and as a trusted advisor to the board of directors in managing business strategy and research teams.
He has been involved in numerous financings and the establishment of venture capital funds for start up companies in Quebec, dedicated to the life sciences sector. Lessard launched a new biotech start-up as CEO of the organisation. He has held the role of portfolio manager in helping companies finance their future growth and as a special project director to implement business turnarounds.
He has considerable experience as a CFO in risk management and he has successfully managed the mergers and acquisitions process of various companies while enhancing the assets of these organisations.
Lessard is a member of the Quebec Order of Chartered Professional Accountants - CPA (Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec) and is a Certified Management Accountant, CMA. He has a Masters in Business Administration and has a very strong interest in corporate governance.
