About us

About Jalon Therapeutics

Jalon Therapeutics aims to develop innovative therapies that inactivate yet untargeted vital tumor signaling pathways.
Our mission is to develop medicines that will transform the lives of people fighting cancer.
For that purpose, we leverage our deep understanding of stress-related protein-protein interaction networks that sustain the malignant phenotype while not being necessary for normal cells.
This mechanism, defined as “non-oncogene addiction” (NOA), offers potential novel, safer and more effective therapeutic strategies.

Jalon Therapeutics is rooted in pioneering fundamental research and clinical investigations from INSERM laboratories and Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris. Jalon Therapeutics was cofounded in 2021 by Jean-Luc Poyet, Prof. Martine Bagot, Prof. Hervé Dombret, Jérôme Tiollier, Jean-Christophe Rain and Philippe Salphati.
Among the proteins involved in non-oncogene addiction, the scaffold protein AAC-11 (Anti-Apoptosis Clone-11) is a cornerstone component of the signaling networks essential for cancer cell survival, adaptation to stress, resistance to therapies, immune evasion and metastatic potential.
Derived from AAC-11, JRT39 is the first-in-class lead candidate developed for the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers.

JRT39 properties combine the broad tissue distribution and cell permeability of small molecules with the excellent specificity and target-engagement potency of antibodies, together with unique modes of action. As such, JRT39 stands as breakthrough discovery to treat advanced and refractory cancers, alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Furthermore, Jalon Therapeutics is building a drug discovery platform to develop other candidates derived from AAC-11 and AAC-11 partners for the treatment of cancer.

OUR GOVERNANCE

Leadership team

The leadership team of Jalon Therapeutics is composed of seasoned scientists, physicians, executives with experience in the management of biotech companies and in the discovery of innovative drugs up to market.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

David Loison

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Biography

David Loison is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jalon Therapeutics.


David Loison is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris. David has thirteen years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

He has contributed to the structuring of LFB since 2008 and supported in his role as "Director of Management control" then CFO the creation and development of biotechnology companies: CellForCure (cell therapy), LFB USA (animal transgenesis), LFB Biomanufacturing (mAbs). David held the position of EVP Chief Financial Officer at LFB from 2015 to 2021 supporting the group in its financing (more than €400 million raised), its industrial and commercial development and its external growth.

He then managed the disposal of assets such as LFB's stake in TG Therapeutics Inc and CellForCure.

Jérôme Tiollier

CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Biography

Jérôme Tiollier, co-founder, is Executive Chairman of the Board of Director.


Jérôme Tiollier holds a PhD in Cellular Biology & immunology from the Claude Bernard University (Lyon, France) and developed his skills in the field of pharmaceutical development of “first in class” candidates which led a dozen new products from preclinical proof of concept to advanced clinical development, in various therapeutic areas: wound healing, surgical implants, transplantation and oncology (solid tumors and hematology).


Jérôme was EVP Chief Development Officer at INNATE PHARMA (2001-2018), member of the Comex, and participated in the strategic and corporate development of the company, and in particular its successive fundraisings, its IPO (2006), its growth to a peak of 1 billion in capitalization.

During the same period, he started in 2008 the US operations by creating IPH Inc. which was used in 2019 to create the future commercial network of the Company.

Previously he worked at Pasteur-Mérieux Transplant business unit (acquired by SANGSTAT in 1998, 1997-2001) and started his career at IMEDEX (a subsidiary of Institut Mérieux group) in various positions (1987-1996).

Jean-Luc Poyet

CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

Biography

Jean-Luc Poyet, co-founder, is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Jalon Therapeutics.

 

Jean-Luc Poyet holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Franche-Comté (Besançon, France) where he studied plant toxins.

 

 Jean-Luc was then a visiting scientist at the Ludwig Institute (Lausanne, Switzerland) before joining as a postdoctoral fellow the laboratory of Prof.

 

 Emad Alnemri (Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA), one of the top laboratories in the field of apoptosis research. Jean-Luc then obtained funding from the INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) Avenir program and moved back to France in 2004 to establish his team in Paris, where he is now a Research Director at INSERM U976.

 

Jean-Luc is specialized in the identification of therapeutic targets through cell death pathways study and in the development of protein-protein interactions modulators for therapeutic purposes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Philippe Archinard, PhD

Biography

Philippe Archinard, PhD, is a chemical engineer and has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Lyon and supplemented his education with a management program at the Harvard Business School. 

Philippe has been EVP, Technological Innovation and Scientific Partnerships at Institut Mérieux since 2021. Philippe was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Transgene from 2010 to 2020; and CEO from 2004 to 2020. Previously, he was CEO of Innogenetics from 2000 to 2010. From 1985 to 2000, he held various positions at bioMérieux, including management of bioMérieux, Inc. in the United States. He is Chairman of the Institut des Recherches Technologiques (IRT) BIOASTER and involved in serial investment in Biotech company and present as Board member

Stéphane Legastelois, PhD

Biography

Stéphane Legastelois, PhD in Immunology from the University of Lyon, where he worked on biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. 

Stéphane has a 20-year experience with the management of start-up companies in the field of Life Science industry and has cumulated experience with Research & Development in immuno-technologies and in-vitro diagnostic. 

Prior to create its own company, Stéphane began his carrier as a R&D Manager in a start-up company, before joining Merck in 1998 as Sales & Marketing Manager.

Stéphane has past experience as President & CEO at Indicia Biotechnology and Indicia Production since 1998, a Contract Research Organization (CRO) that specializes in high sensitive assay development and immunogenicity risk assessment of biologics.

Stéphane is now President at 33 Californie, a new actor in the field of "Capital Innovation" in the healthcare segment. As an investor, Stéphane is a permanent Board Member of many start-up, SME and Private Equity: Biocorp, Mexbrain (President), Simba Santé 3 (President), Stromacare, 3Deus, Mablink, Lipther, and Mabdesign.

David Loison

Biography

David Loison is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and holds a master's degree in political philosophy from the Sorbonne Paris IV. David has thirteen years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

He has contributed to the structuring of LFB since 2008 and supported in his role as "Director of Management control" then CFO the creation and development of biotechnology companies:

CellForCure (cell therapy), LFB USA (animal transgenesis),LFB Biomanufacturing (mAbs). David held the position of EVP Chief Financial Officer at LFB from 2015 to 2021 supporting the group in its financing (more than €400 million raised), its industrial and commercial development and its external growth.

He then managed the disposal of assets such as LFB's stake in TG Therapeutics Inc and CellForCure.

David Loison is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jalon Therapeutics.

Jean-Luc Poyet, PhD

Biography

Jean-Luc Poyet holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Franche-Comté (Besançon, France) where he studied plant toxins. Jean-Luc was then a visiting scientist at the Ludwig Institute (Lausanne, Switzerland) before joining as a postdoctoral fellow the laboratory of Prof. Emad Alnemri (Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA), one of the top laboratories in the field of apoptosis research. Jean-Luc then obtained funding from the INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) Avenir program and moved back to France in 2004 to establish his team in Paris, where he is now a Research Director at INSERM U976. Jean-Luc is specialized in the identification of therapeutic targets through cell death pathways study and in the development of protein-protein interactions modulators for therapeutic purposes.

Jean-Luc Poyet, co-founder, is Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Jalon Therapeutics.

Jean-Christophe Rain, PhD

Biography

Jean-Christophe Rain, PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Paris XI is President of Hybrigenics Services SAS after having been the Director of Operations and the Scientific Director since the creation of the company as a subsidiary of Hybrigenics SA in 2010. 

Founded in 2017, Hybrigenics Services SA is an independent company with 25 employees owned by its managers following a non-leveraged M.B.O. Hybrigenics Services' customers are research laboratories in all life sciences (from pharmaceuticals to agribusiness), industrial and academic laboratories all over the world, with more than 85% of the activity in export. 

Jean-Christophe is one of the co-founders of Jalon Therapeutics.

Philippe Salphati, PharmD MBA

Biography

Philippe Salphati, PharmD MBA, is Vice President, Global Account Management at IQVIA. Philippe has more than 25 years of experience in the management of drug development, marketing and commercialization in the life sciences industry. Philippe led Global Business Unit and country at Sanofi (Vaccine division) and has developed an extensive international experience. He spent 10 years in the US and Canada. He was member of the Strategic Portfolio Committee as well as the Commercial Operation Management Committee providing him with a transversal leadership experience in the transformation of R&D projects into commercial success. 

Philippe is co-founder of Jalon Therapeutics.

Hélène Sicard, PhD

Biography

Hélène Sicard holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Paul Sabatier University (Toulouse, France). Hélène conducted her postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Jean Jacques Fournié (Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, CRCT), a world leader in gamma delta T cells and B-cell lymphoma biology. As specialist in immuno-oncology R&D and particularly in translational immuno-pharmacology, Hélène has contributed to several oncology programs of Innate Pharma including cell therapies, small molecules and antibodies, from early phase R&D to pre-BLA. Hélène led the development of licensed and proprietary molecules, including the lacutamab antibody in T-cell lymphomas, granted Fast Track Designation in 2019 by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed Sézary Syndrome. 

Hélène Sicard is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jalon Therapeutics.

Jérôme Tiollier, PhD​

Biography

Jérôme Tiollier holds a PhD in Cellular Biology & immunology from the Claude Bernard University (Lyon, France) and developed his skills in the field of pharmaceutical development of “first in class” candidates which led a dozen new products from preclinical proof of concept to advanced clinical development, in various therapeutic areas: wound healing, surgical implants, transplantation and oncology (solid tumors and hematology).

Jérôme was EVP Chief Development Officer at INNATE PHARMA (2001-2018), member of the Comex, and participated in the strategic and corporate development of the company, and in particular its successive fundraisings, its IPO (2006), its growth to a peak of 1 billion in capitalization. During the same period, he started in 2008 the US operations by creating IPH Inc. which was used in 2019 to create the future commercial network of the Company. Previously he worked at Pasteur-Mérieux Transplant business unit (acquired by SANGSTAT in 1998, 1997-2001) and started his career at IMEDEX (a subsidiary of Institut Mérieux group) in various positions (1987-1996).

Jérôme Tiollier, co-founder, is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Scientific and Medical Advisory Board

Prof. Martine BAGOT, MD, PhD

Biography

Martine Bagot is Professor and Head of the Department of Dermatology at the Hôpital Saint Louis in Paris and co-directs the INSERM Unit 976 Human Immunology, Pathophysiology and Immunotherapy. Martine also chairs the French Group for the Study of Cutaneous Lymphomas, which brings together all the specialists, physicians and anatomopathologists in the field.

Martine has co-authored more than 650 PubMed-referenced publications, most of which are in the complementary fields of dermatology, immunology and oncology. Main publications include numerous clinical trials in dermato-oncology, attesting to her role in translational research and expertise in the development of new therapies in dermato-oncology.

Martine present and past responsibilities in numerous commissions and international learned societies (International Society for Cutaneous Lymphoma, 2002-2007; European Society for Dermatological Research, 2001-2005; Treasurer (2006-2008) and then President (2008- 2011) of the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force) illustrates her influence and role as an opinion leader in these fields. 

 

In 2020, Prof. Martine Bagot and Prof. Armand Bensussan were awarded the Prix Galien France for their translational research work leading to the development of lacutamab, a promising new approach for the treatment of Sézary syndrome.

Martine is one of the co-founders of Jalon Therapeutics.

Prof. Thorsten Braun, MD, PhD

Biography

Thorsten Braun MD PhD is Professor and hematologist at Avicenne Hospital and internationally recognized specialist in leukemia. Thorsten has been involved in numerous research projects aimed at understanding the deregulatory processes involved in acute and chronic leukemias, as well as in early clinical trials evaluating new therapeutic approaches in these diseases.

Dominique BRIDON, PhD

Biography

Dominique Bridon holds a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie (Paris France) completed by a PhD in organic chemistry at the Paris XI University under the direction of Nobel Prize winner Derek Barton and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dominique is an expert in preclinical and clinical development of innovative therapies notably “peptides” and has spent most of his career in North America where he was successively CEO of Biodesy (now BlueLight Therapeutic), a Bay Area start-up backed by 5AM, Roche and Pfizer Ventures revolutionizing the analysis of therapeutic proteins, CTO of EpiVax Oncology, a pioneer in personalized peptide vaccines, and Head of Development for Concarlo, a New York-based company developing cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors for oncology. He co-founded Conjuchem.

Dominique previously held various management positions at Optivia (acquired by BioIVT), Ipsen, Abbott, Enobia (acquired by Alexion) and Neuronax and served on the scientific boards of Syntaxin (acquired by Ipsen) and Biosortia.

Prof. Hervé DOMBRET, MD

Biography

Hervé Dombret is Professor and Head of the Hematology Department at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris and Director of the Saint-Louis Research Institute (IRSL) (Paris University), a research and teaching institute specialized in Hematology, Immunology and Oncology. 

Hervé also chairs cooperative groups: GRAALL (Group for Research on Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), ALFA (Acute Leukemia French Association), the Carnot Institute OPALE as well as the project THEMA (The European Leukemia Institute) and the European School of Hematology (ESH).

Hervé has co-authored nearly 400 PubMed-referenced publications in the field of oncohaematology in main areas of clinical and translational research on acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Hervé is one of the co-founders of Jalon Therapeutics.

Prof. Michael J. Garabedian, MD

Biography

Prof. Philippe KAROYAN, MD, PhD

Biography

 

Thorsten Braun MD PhD is Professor and hematologist at Avicenne Hospital and internationally recognized specialist in leukemia. Thorsten has been involved in numerous research projects aimed at understanding the deregulatory processes involved in acute and chronic leukemias, as well as in early clinical trials evaluating new therapeutic approaches in these diseases.

Dr. Céleste LEBBE, MD, PhD

Biography

Prof. Eric SOLARY, MD

Biography

Eric Solary, MD, full-Professor in Hematology at Université Paris-Saclay, is teaching clinical and biological hematology as well as cell biology. Eric clinical activity’s is conducted in the department of Hematology and his research in INSERM U1287 in Gustave Roussy Institute (Villejuif, France).
Eric was Scientific Director of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center from 2011 to 2020, and also presides over the Scientific Committee of Foundation ARC and over the Coordination and Support Action 4.UNCAN.eu, a European platform to UNderstand CANcer. His research has been dedicated initially to leukemic cell resistance to cytotoxic drugs, then to cell death mechanisms and the link between cell death and differentiation in the hematopoietic system. For the last 15 years, he has focused on monocyte differentiation and the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid malignancies, with a special interest in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.