A new President and CEO at the Helm of Génome Québec

Marc LePage was, most recently, Special Advisor, Climate Change and Energy for the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. from September 2009 to the present. He previously served as Consul General at the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. Mr. LePage was also one of the pioneers behind the founding of Genome Canada in 2000. During his tenure as Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development, he made a significant contribution to the development of genomics in Canada. From 1994 to 2000, he worked as Director of Business Development for the Medical Research Council, where he was in charge of building international partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry, venture capital and foundations.

Mr. LePage's foreign experience constitutes a remarkable asset for Génome Québec, according to Mr. Godbout. He also notes that his arrival at the helm of the organization takes place in a context conducive to the growth of life sciences, as can be seen by the provincial government's recent commitments. Mr. Godbout explains: "Québec is currently showing a firm and concerted intention to broaden the influence of research and development in Canada and abroad. The marketplace is very favourable to innovation right now and the genomics sector is one of its major pillars. Given the current environment, Marc LePage was our obvious choice, since he possesses solid expertise in international partnerships."

Genomics research is at a pivotal point in its history, both in terms of major discoveries and potential spinoffs in health, forestry and the environment. In that light, Mr. LePage points out: "One of the main challenges that awaits me as President and CEO of Génome Québec involves identifying innovative solutions and entering into strategic agreements for genomics in order to stimulate Québec's scientific and economic competitiveness."