Amoéba’s Board of Directors renewed to support the company’s new strategic ambitions
Chassieu (France), May 2, 2024 – 6:00pm – AMOÉBA (FR0011051598 – ALMIB), an industrial biotech specialised in the treatment of microbiological risk, developing a biocontrol agent for the protection of plants in agriculture and a range of anti-ageing cosmetic ingredients, is appointing a new Board of Directors, welcoming four well-known figures specialised in the fields that represent the company’s core activities.
Following the appointment of the new Chairman of the Board, Benoit Villers, in December 2023, Amoéba has completely overhauled its strategy by focusing on high value-added markets, accelerating the pre-commercialisation phase, adapting its production facilities to the expected growth in sales and preparing its entry into cosmetics (see Press Releases dated 5 February 2024 and 15 February 2024).
The Board of Directors, which held a meeting on 2 May 2024, appointed three new independent directors and is proposing the appointment of a fourth independent director at the Annual General Meeting on 27 June. These appointments give Amoéba proven and recognised expertise in the biocontrol, health, and cosmetics sectors, as well as in the management, commercial development and financing of fast-growing companies.
Amoéba would like to thank the Directors who have resigned their mandates but who have supported the company’s development for several years, including Fabrice Plasson, its founder, Sylvie Guinard, Philippe Dujardin and Pierre Morgon.
This renewed Board of Directors, allied to a recognised management team led by its new Chief Executive Officer, Jean-François Doucet, will aim to implement this ambitious strategic plan.
Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot (appointed by the Board of Directors on 2 May 2024) *
Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot joined Laboratoires Boiron in 2000, after starting her career with Publicis and then working in the pharmaceutical industry for Fournier and Urgo. Initially Director of Medical Development, then Deputy Managing Director, she will become the company’s Managing Director in 2019. In this role, she will reorganize the company following the delisting of homeopathy in France, while developing new business segments.
Today, under her leadership, Laboratoires Boiron has demonstrated its resilience and innovation, with an offering that remains focused on homeopathy, food supplements, tests sold in pharmacies and cosmetics.
Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot also founded the IWF (International Women’s Forum) – Rhône Alpes chapter and was its President for 5 years. She is currently Co-Chairwoman of the ETI AURA club (Entreprises de Taille Intermédiaire d’Auvergne Rhône-Alpes), a director of Jean-Moulin Lyon 3 University, a director of OL Fondation and a director of Mare Nostrum. She is the author of “Wonder Women, dites oui à vos pouvoirs”, published by Editions du Cherche Midi and “Homéopathie, Liberté, Egalité, Santé”, published by Editions Flammarion.
Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot holds a master’s degree in economics and marketing.
Patrice Sellès (appointed by the Board of Directors on 2 May 2024) *
Patrice Sellès has more than 25 years’ experience in concluding strategic agreements and successful commercial developments with numerous innovators in the global agricultural and food technology industry. From 2019 to 2023, he was CEO of Biotalys, a Belgian company listed on Euronext that develops protein-based biocontrol solutions. There he led strategic development initiatives and global commercial partnerships that are still bearing fruit today.
Prior to this, he held several management positions at Syngenta, including developing the scientific strategy and acquisition of new technologies as Global Head of Digital R&D for the Group. He also worked as an investment manager at Life Science Partners Bioventures in Cambridge (MA).
Patrice Sellès is a chemical engineer and obtained his doctorate in organic chemistry from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris.
Jean-Marc Petat (appointed by the Board of Directors on 2 May 2024)
Jean-Marc Petat has over 30 years’ experience in BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division in technical, European marketing, sustainable agriculture and public relations functions. As a member of the Executive Committee in France and Western Europe until 2024, he launched and coordinated BASF’s agroecology strategy in France, in particular by structuring the contribution of new growth drivers such as biocontrol. He developed a 2030 roadmap for biocontrol by developing an open innovation strategy with public and private research, alliances with the agricultural world and communication with public authorities and environmental associations.
Jean-Marc Petat is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et des Industries Alimentaires based in Nancy.
Quentin Hua (proposed for appointment by the General Meeting of 27 June 2024)
Quentin Hua is chief of staff at Laboratoires Boiron, reporting to the Executive Committee and responsible for the ESG approach. Previously, he was a consultant at DGM Conseil, a consultancy specialising in assisting the directors of listed companies and the founders of start-ups with their communication strategies. In this capacity, he advised the management teams of companies and investment funds in various corporate transformation processes and M&A operations.
He began his career at the BPCE Group’s General Inspection department, where he carried out audit and consultancy assignments in the various entities of the BPCE Group in France and abroad, before joining Bain & Company to take part in strategy consultancy assignments for players in the retail and chemicals sectors.
Quentin Hua graduated from the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan with a degree in economics and management and from Sciences Po Paris with a degree in finance and strategy.
* Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot was appointed by the Board of Directors on 2 May 2024 as permanent representative of Ondine Sasu.
Patrice Sellès (PhD) was appointed by the Board of Directors on 2 May 2024 as permanent representative of Beyond Life Science Consulting GmbH.