Stéphanie Lacour

Collège de France

Innovation technologique Liliane Bettencourt (2023-2024)

Année 2023-2024

Colloque - La neurotechnologie : How to Build a Neurotech Startup and (Almost) Survive

Patient-Centered Neurotechnologies: Navigating the Innovation Landscape

Colloque coorganisé par Stéphanie Lacour, chaire Innovation technologique Liliane Bettencourt et Mme Karen Rommelfanger.

Intervenant(s)

André Mercanzini, Entrepreneur, Aleva Neurotherapeutics

Neurotechnology holds immense promise for revolutionizing the treatment of neurological disorders which are globally the most economically burdensome indications. This talk follows the entrepreneurial journey of translating research into successful neurotechnology startups, focusing on two case studies: a venture-funded deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy for Parkinson's Disease, and an innovative Stereoencephalogram (SEEG) solution for epilepsy – both with roots at EPFL in Switzerland. We will cover a toolkit for Academic and/or Physician medical device entrepreneurs with best practices for successfully translating their potential therapies and setting them up for venture capital or strategic partnerships.

A healthcare entrepreneur passionate about improving patients' lives through the innovation of new medical therapies. Currently: Founder of AngelWave Medical, developing non-invasive brain stimulation therapies using Focused Ultrasound; Founder of AirCurve Medical, developing automated anesthetic ventilation methods. Previously Founder of Aleva Neurotherapeutics, led the development of directional electrodes for Deep Brain Stimulation to treat Parkinson's Disease, conducted three successful human clinical trials, achieved CE-Mark and commercialization in Europe, FDA IDE, and raised over $75MUSD in Venture Capital. Was Co-Founder and Chairman of Adept Neuro, acquired by Dixi Medical SAS in 2022, aimed to improve neurosurgery outcomes in Epilepsy using next-generation SEEGs. Was Co-Founder and Executive Director of deepCDR Biologics (Basel) the first company to use Deep Learning to discover antibody therapies, acquired by Alloy Therapeutics in 2021. BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Toronto, MS in Management Science from Stanford University, PhD in Biomedical Engineering from EPFL, Post-Doctorate at the Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital. Published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Journal of Controlled Release (2010 cover story), Neuromodulation. Principal inventor on 15 patent families (totaling over 100 issued international patents) in healthcare technology.