CEO Monthly Issue 7 2018

12 CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 7 2018 , Vaxeal Holding SA is a biotechnology firm specialising in developing advanced immunotherapies for oncological treatment. Their work aims to improve long-termprognosis for patients, whilst ensuring limited adverse side effects. In July, CEOMonthlyMagazine named Vaxeal Holding’s Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ahmed Bouzidi the 2018 CEO of the Year in the Biotechnology sector. Following on from this achievement, we sat down with Dr Bouzidi to find out howhe drives Vaxeal’s success. A Pioneer Creating the Future of Immunotherapy Treatment CEO Monthly: How does it feel to win this award and to what do you attribute your success? What difference would you say winning the award will make for you? Ahmed Bouzidi: I had an evolving feeling when I learned I won this award. I was surprised, then delighted, and then, finally, honoured. I saw it as a reward for my 25 years of hard work. Being awarded ‘CEO of the Year’ in the biotechnology sector will positively impact the future of my company. It will bring more visibility, and it will help to strengthen the position of Vaxeal in the field of immuno- oncology. From a personal standpoint, I see this prestigious award as an encouragement that I am succeeding in my field. CM: Please tell me more about your firm? AB: Vaxeal is developing game changing immunotherapies in the field of oncology, where there are considerable unmet medical needs. Today, the company is a leader in the field. As an innovative SME, I developed a business model designed to out-license our products after the clinical proof- of-concept to the pharmaceutical industry. This strategy allows us to focus on our domains of expertise. Vaxeal is bringing together diverse, advanced expertise in tumour immunology and therapeutic vaccine formulation, including predictive T-cell assays, ex-vivo assessment of T-cell responses in cancer patients, new pre-clinical animal models, as well as optimal immunotherapy formulation. It also allows us to reduce our capital requirements. CM:Talk me through your previous roles and how you came to achieve your position as CEO. How do you draw on past experiences in your current role? AB: I started my career in 1988 as a Senior Researcher in French Mid-Cap biopharmaceutical company, the LFB Group. I was already specialised in immunology (human monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic vaccines, drug safety). In the late 90’s, with colleagues, we created our first start-up, SEDAC Therapeutics, a leading biotech pioneer in peptide-based GCE18038