The Oncopole announces the appointment of its Executive Director, Ms. Stéphanie Lord-Fontaine

MONTRÉAL, May 8, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Oncopole, a research, development and investment hub designed to accelerate the fight against cancer, announced today the appointment of Ms. Stéphanie Lord-Fontaine as Executive Director of the organization.  

Launched in February 2017 through a co-creation partnership of the Fonds de recherche du Québec ? Santé (FRQS) and Merck & Co, inc., the Oncopole brings together different partners of the life sciences field to collaborate on a structuring project to fight cancer, strengthening as a result our research and innovation ecosystem, including the resources, infrastructures and researchers here in Quebec, to the patient's benefit. The Oncopole benefits from a 15?million dollar funding commitment over three year from Merck and looks forward to welcoming the contribution of other partners.

Initiators of this forward-looking project, the FRQS and Merck are delighted by the nomination of Ms. Lord-Fontaine as Executive Director. Following Friday's announcement, Oncopole's partners welcome the Quebec Life Sciences Strategy and are confident that Ms. Lord-Fontaine will seize the opportunity it represents.She will work to put forward the Oncopole's four priorities: research, entrepreneurship and promotion of innovation, integration of innovation and clinical relevance, training and awareness.

Ms. Lord-Fontaine has more than 15 years of experience in the academic and biopharmaceutical sectors as well as in the field of research funding agencies. Prior to accepting the Executive Director position at the Oncopole, Ms. Lord-Fontaine was Senior Director, Scientific Affairs at Génome Québec and Director, Preclinical research at BioAxone Therapeutic. She holds a PhD in biochemistry and continued with a Post-Doctorate degree in neuroscience.

Ms. Lord-Fontaine will be able to rely on the operational support of the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal which was selected as the establishment to host the Oncopole's coordinating offices.

About the Fonds de recherche du Québec ? Santé
The mission of the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS) is to support research in the field of health to promote the well-being of the population of Québec. It was given the mandate of promoting and providing financial support for research in this field, for the dissemination of scientific knowledge as well as researcher training, for the creation of any partnership essential to the development of Québec's innovation and research system, and, finally, to stimulate research influence around the world. The FQRS reports to the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation. http://www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca/en/accueil

About Merck
For over a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer's disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter @MerckCanada.

About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer
An ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Université de Montréal, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. The IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer.
For more information: www.iric.ca/en/

SOURCE Oncopole