Biogazelle strengthens its board of directors
Belgium —- On October 6, 2014, Biogazelle announced the closure of an
investment round with QBIC Arkiv Fund, Foundation Majoie and SOFI to finance its growth
(press release available on https://bgzlle.com/1sVQfEJ). Today, Biogazelle announces that it
has strengthened its board with two directors representing the new investors and also
announces its intention to propose the nomination of Nick McCooke and Jim Van heusden
as non-executive directors to the next shareholder meeting. Biogazelle’s board also has the
intention to separate the roles of chairman and CEO. The board intends to elect Nick
McCooke as chairman to succeed Jan Hellemans who will remain chief executive officer.
The new members will join the current board members (Jan Hellemans (CEO), Jo
Vandesompele (CSO), Bert D’Huyvetter (CFO) and Marc Schijvaerts) who retain their
appointment.
Nick McCooke, independent chairman
Nick is an experienced and successful bio-entrepreneur, well-known for building
and leading the Solexa team that pioneered Next Generation Sequencing
(NGS), technology that became the basis of Illumina’s current market-leading
product line. Apart from his base in the UK, Nick has lived and worked in the
USA, Japan and Belgium. He acted as CEO of Pronota, interim COO of
Cambridge Epigenetix, part-time CEO of Oxford Cancer Biomarkers and CEO
of Solexa. Nick is currently CBO of DNA Electronics, a non-executive director of
Bioventix PLC and a trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities.
Bernard Majoie, representing Foundation Majoie
Bernard Majoie is founder of the research & development laboratory of the
Fournier Group. He acted as CSO, CEO and finally Chairman of the board at
Fournier Pharmaceutical Group. When retiring he played a Business Angel
activity helping start-ups in Belgium and France. He is currently chairman and
founder of the Fournier-Majoie Foundation dedicated to support innovative
and entrepreneurial teams in biomolecular applications leading to
improvements of cancer treatments.
Els Hubloux, representing QBIC Arkiv Fund
Els is an Investment Partner at QBIC Venture Partners. She has over 18 years of
experience in the life sciences sector, of which 12 years as a venture capital
professional. She has also acted as CFO of a diagnostics start-up and has been
a director of a number of companies, including Algonomics, Nexstim, Sequana
Medical, Sphere Medical and TcLand Expression.
Jim Van heusden, independent board member appointed by SOFI
Jim Van heusden is Managing Director of bioskills, providing fundraising services
and strategic advice to biotech companies and life science funds. He has
over 20 years of experience in the life sciences sector, of which 12 years as a
venture capital investor in biotech companies at Gimv.

