Xavier GERARD (PhD, PMP®)

Experience

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  Genethon

  Jan 2008 - Jun 2008

  Research Assistant, Cell therapy development

  • Efficiently conduct independent and group laboratory research for the elaboration of a robust protocol to real-time monitor transplantation of genetically modified murine primary cells in mouse neuromuscular disease models.• Responsible for cell batches production to transplant: generation of primary muscle precursor cell lines derived from mouse muscle biopsies transduced by a lentivirus vector encoding a reporter system.• Processing tissue sample collected using equipment, instruments or techniques that are necessary for biochemistry assays from serum of transplanted mice and histological examination of muscle sections.• Interaction with various technological platforms.• Collected, processed, recorded and analyzed research data. Participation in writing final report for scientific publication and SOPs. Show less

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  Genethon

  Oct 2008 - Jun 2012

  Ph.D. Fellow, Drug discovery & Therapeutic development

  • Principal investigator of a strategy based on antisense oligonucleotides to treat an emblematic inherited retinal disease (currently in Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial) : planning, designing and executing lab advanced experiments utilizing molecular biology techniques and cell engineering.• Conducted experiments disclosing biomarkers of eye dysfunction in patient-derived skin fibroblasts.• Developed novel in vitro assays for high throughput screening of drug candidates under GLP conditions.• Setting up of methods and procedures to lead research on antisene compounds: drug candidate potency and specificity assessment, and in vitro safety characterization. • Maximizing project schedule performance by persuading other collaborators to participate to the project at critical time points.• Proficient in confocal / fluorescence microscopy and imaging analysis software. Applying biostatistics methods for data quality control.• Responsible for acquisition, analysis and accurate data interpretation for proof-of-concept evaluation of antisense drug candidates.• Provided effective input for design and execution of experiments for collaborative projects that led to scientific publications. Show less

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  Hôpital Necker Enfant Malades

  Jun 2012 - Jan 2014

  Postdoctoral Fellow, Drug delivery & Genetic studies

  • Stream leader of in vitro and in vivo preclinical drug development studies • Elaboration of a new drug delivery route for "RNA surgery" in retinal cells.• Managed and contributed to the smooth execution of lab's preclinical work packages aiming to assess the efficacy, kinetics, tissue bio-distribution and toxicology of antisense drug candidates.• Organized human sample collection and documentation with clinicians, then primary cell lines establishment for lab’s cell biobank. • Development of reproducible in vitro models, molecular assays and omics analyses for high throughput screening and functional testing of antisense compounds• Trained and supervised students (PhD, Master, clinician) and technicians in the lab.• Regularly presented scientific talks and posters at various key conferences and internal meeting to communicate our scientific progress and attract collaborators.• Established and effectively managed collaborations with scientists from industry and academia to bolster internal efforts.• Handled, prioritized, and problem-solved multiple tasks connected to multiple projects at once. Show less

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  Imagine Institute of Genetic Diseases

  Feb 2014 - May 2018

  Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Drug development & Preclinical studies

  • R&D project leader for early drug development: antisense oligonucleotide profiling & mode-of-action studies. • Development and optimization of high-throughput experiments for cellular, molecular and multiplex immunostaining to characterize lead compounds under GLP conditions. • Liaising with a pharma company as partner for preclinical studies of antisense oligonucleotide-based drugs: technology transfer, assist in assays automation and troubleshooting, maintaining complete and accurate records of study progress. • Providing technological expertise and scientific input for preclinical protocol development (PK, PD, safety) for RNA-based drug and operational activities conducted by a CRO• Supporting the team in defining project strategies, prioritizing work and resources to maintain fit-to-purposes quality environment and managed field-based project responsibilities as they pertain to the translational studies • Successful collaboration in biomedical projects: provided expertise in RNA biology, conducted gene expression and functional analyses to characterize RNA spliced products in genetic ophthalmo, neuro and kidney disorders, developed new biomarker and cell-based assays.• Led data management ensuring the quality grade expected for deliverables & IP documentation. Writing reports, publications & grants.• Collective responsibilities: in charge of the lab's stock-keeping material/reagents, and the management of the cell culture lab. Show less

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  Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin

  Jun 2018 - Dec 2020

  • Providing scientific leadership in an entrepreneurial context to develop an innovative therapeutic strategy with a neuroprotective application to delay photoreceptor death/blindness. • Data reviewing and reporting on preclinical and clinical studies as well as patent-based, to assess opportunities and related-risk about repositionable new chemical entities (small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides). • Proactively contributed to the design and execution of feasibility, validation and testing studies of antisense oligonucleotide drug candidates.• Participating in project reports, grant fundings, presentations and negotiation with upper management.• Led the financial arrangement within a consortium of 5 European partners (industry & academia) for a European grant application. Show less • Investigation of the mechanisms at the origin of retinal degeneration (epigenetics, DNA damage and repair) and testing of novel therapeutic targets on transgenic mouse model, retinal explants and cell lines.• Implemented efficient transcriptomic assays (PCR, RT-qPCR) supported by RNA-seq analysis identifying potential new biomarkers involved in the neurodegenerative timeline of a retinal dystrophy model.• Elaboration and design of experiments, by harnessing state-of-the-art molecular methods and cellular engineering techniques for the development of a promising unique therapeutic approach to be applied to multiple genetic disorders.• Conducted experiments for hit-to-lead studies of drug candidates. Show less

  • Research Collaborator

    Jun 2020 - Dec 2020

  • Postdoctoral Research Scientist

    Jun 2018 - May 2020
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  Nestlé

  Mar 2021 - Aug 2021

  Scientific Collaborator, Nutritional Concept Development

  • Independently led an end-to-end small project combining nutrition and musculoskeletal health. Building a solid in-house network and coordinating interdisciplinary experts activities in support of the translation of a business opportunity into a new nutritional concept.• Setting up a consumer study and conducting its analysis to align the project plan with consumer needs and business objectives.• Managed meeting planning and execution to keep inform key stakeholders by clearly communicating results through dynamic reporting and providing recommendations for key issue resolution.• Identifying, approaching and negotiating with Nestlé business brands to get their support in further prototype development• Supported scientific and regulatory experts by analyzing and reporting on new trends in nutritional care market and gathering all relevant information and data (R&D, clinical studies and regulatory) to adapt our healthcare concept.• Successful project delivery to Nestlé's Accelerator Program to strict budget, deadline, and organization body guidelines Show less

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  Thermo Fisher Scientific

  Sept 2023 - now

  Field Application Scientist (EMEA) - Nucleic Acid Therapeutics