Jacques Theurillat

Jacques joined Sofinnova in 2017 and brings the Crossover Team his extensive experience in biopharmaceutical company operations, as well as in making private as well as public investments. His experience in building from the base a team of international investors to deploy a new strategy is also important for the Crossover Team. He is expected to take positions on board of some of the public companies in which the Fund will invest.

Jacques Theurillat co-founded in 2008 and managed Ares Life Sciences, a privately owned investment fund with the objective to build and manage a portfolio of companies in life sciences. Jacques built a new team of 9 professionals and invested €1.25bn in six public and private companies including Euromedic International BV, Esaote Spa, Bronchus Technologies Inc, Santhera Pharmaceuricals, Stallergenes SA, Greer Inc. In June 2015, Stallergenes and Greer merged creating the worldwide market leader in Allergy Immunotherapy.

Jacques had previously spent almost 20 years in the Serono pharmaceutical group where he was Deputy CEO and Senior Executive Vice President, Strategic Corporate Development, responsible for Serono’s global strategy and in-licensing initiatives. Jacques also served as Serono’s President of European and International Sales & Marketing and CFO. In his various roles at Serono, Jacques was responsible for several major equity financings of the company including the $2bn listing on the NYSE in 2000, one of the largest ever Biotech secondary offering worldwide. Jacques was also involved in the process that led to the sale of the company to Merck KGA for CHF14bn.

Jacques is a Swiss barrister and holds Bachelor of Law degrees from both Madrid University and Geneva University. He also holds a Swiss Federal Diploma (Tax Expert) and has a Master’s degree in Finance.