Fund+, an VC investment firm focused on innovative European Life Sciences companies, has added Luc Debruyne and Gérard Lamarche to its B hard of Directors. In accordance with the Company’s governance charter, Honorary Chairman Désiré Collen, Arnoud de Pret, Pierre Drion and Hilde Laga have stepped down from the Board following expiry of the term of their office. Désiré Collen, Honorary Chairman, will remain as a Board observer.
Chris Buyse, Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Fund+, says: “We are delighted to welcome Luc Debruyne and Gérard Lamarche to the Board. Luc Debruyne brings outstanding scientific and commercialisation experience from GSK, where he led the global vaccines business; and a wealth of international expertise having worked across Europe and managed businesses globally including significant focus and experience in the US. Gérard Lamarche will leverage his track record of successful transactions and brings an invaluable perspective to the Board following an impressive track record of strategic roles at well-established industrial companies.
Mark Waer, Chairman of the Board, says: “On behalf of all Board Members, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional contributions our colleagues Désiré Collen, Arnoud de Pret, Pierre Drion and Hilde Laga have made since the start of Fund+ in 2015. Their expertise and support have been very important in guiding the Company’s strategy and helping Fund+ to create a strong portfolio of leading innovative companies each with the potential to bring important breakthrough therapies to patients.”
Désiré Collen says: “I am very proud of the achievements of Fund+ and would like to thank my fellow board of director members and our investors for their support over the years. Our strong patient-centric approach, addressing unmet medical needs and aiming to make a significant societal contribution to the Belgian ecosystem has led to investment in 13 portfolio companies with two exits, Ogeda SA and Qbiologicals NV. I am very excited to welcome Luc Debruyne and Gérard Lamarche to our Board and look forward to their contributions and support for the next stage of Fund+ growth.”
Fund+ has also announced the promotion of Dr Louis Declerck, currently Investment Analyst at Fund+, to Associate. Declerk holds an MD degree (pre-specialisation Neurosurgery) from the KU Leuven, Belgium and has combined his medical degree with an MA in Civil Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) at UGent, Belgium.
