About Us
PLL THERAPEUTICS
PLL Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is spearheading a unique therapeutic approach for treating the root cause of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, based on its groundbreaking polypeptide delivery platform. The company focuses on restoring gut integrity through the delivery of targeted Small-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) to gut epithelial cells and the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), helping restore the normal function of cells lining the gut, as well as the BBB. Tightening the junctions between cells, sealing the gut lining to prevent leakage of harmful substances into the bloodstream and Central Nervous Systems, helps reduce inflammation. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal motor neuron disease, is the company’s first indication.
In parallel, PLL Therapeutics is validating a panel of specific biomarkers for clinical use that will enable the first-ever early-stage diagnosis of ALS. This development includes companion diagnostics for ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders. PLL Therapeutics’ platform technology aims to redefine the standard of care in how patients living with ALS are treated and monitored in clinical follow-up, as well as prevent diseases linked to dysbiosis of the gut microbiota.
Brief history/background
Founded in 2019, following the acquisition of the assets and IP of a pre-clinical biotech, PLL Therapeutics is led by a highly experienced and entrepreneurial management team with decades of expertise in infectious diseases, rare diseases, and CNS (Central Nervous System). PLL Therapeutics is addressing dysbiosis – an imbalance in the gut microbiota – to prevent chronic disease. The company has successfully completed a phase I trial in patients with ALS, showing its drug candidate PLL001 is generally safe and well-tolerated. A phase II trial in ALS will take place in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
PLL Therapeutics is self-financed and has collaborative agreements with ALS patient associations in Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific.
Mission & vision
- PLL Therapeutics has 3 main patent families
1) Asset patent families : 2 patents protecting our assets in ALS, stroke, etc…
2) Diagnostics patent families : 4 patents
To protect our strategy, early stage and companion diagnostic
on neurodegenerative disorders, and auto immune and proliferative diseases
3) Product patent families : 4 patents
To treat neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, where our main target is linked to restoring the intestinal epithelium barrier, curbing the initial development and chronicity of such diseases.
Protection of our API and delivery platform manufacturing
- Our science: Targeting the gut-brain-axis in neurodegenerative diseases
Dysbiosis is known to increase gut permeability, allowing highly toxic molecules to leak into the bloodstream. Scientific evidence indicates that up to 90% of neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, may originate from these gut-related disruptions, especially when combined with genetic predispositions. Early intervention, a key focus of PLL Therapeutics’ treatment approach encompassing both the restoration of the intestinal epithelium barrier and identification of specific biomarkers, could help prevent the initial development and chronic progression of these diseases, ultimately improving patient well-being.
Biographies
Jean-Pascal Zambaux
CEO, Co-Founder
& shareholder
Jean-Pascal has a strong track-record in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.
He created Disposable-Lab, a CMO specializing in producing injectable drugs for clinical trials, where he served as CEO between 2008 and 2018, and successfully ran the first pharma company to use a single-use grade A isolator for fill ‘n’ finish. During a career spanning 30+ years, Jean-Pascal has implemented or has been a vanguard in many disruptive business models. He holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD), earned from the University of Paris and the University of Reims, Champagne-Ardenne.
Michel Larroche
Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder & shareholder
Since 2019, Michel has served as strategic advisor and investor in PLL Therapeutics and Ocean Kiss, a new wave of seafood. For more than 20+ years, Michel was CEO of MOM Mont Blanc, the international healthy snack fruit and dairy food business, where he grew US market revenues from $5M to $350M over a five-year period. Prior to that, he worked as Southern Europe managing director for H J Heinz. Michel has an engineering degree from AgroParisTech.
Mario Philips
Co-Founder & shareholder
Mario served as CEO of Polyplus-Transfection and currently sits on the board of several life sciences companies. Mario’s decades of experience include roles as a strategic partner with ArchiMed, where he contributed his deep experience of the bioprocessing sector, and VP and general manager of Pall Biotech. There, he had full P&L responsibilities for the biotech BU within NYSE-listed Danaher and led the rapid expansion of the group’s core bioprocessing capabilities. Prior to Pall Biotech, Mr. Philips served as SVP and general manager of ATMI Life Sciences.
Joe Boncore
Board member & shareholder
Joe is the principal and founder of Commonwealth Counsel, where he works with some of Massachusetts’ top non-profits, philanthropic leaders and corporations. Before that, Joe was CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio), where he led efforts to advance Massachusetts’ leadership as the #1 life sciences cluster in the world. Prior to joining MassBio, Joe served as the state senator for several districts in Massachusetts. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Providence College and received his juris doctorate from the Massachusetts School of Law.
Pierre Morgon
Chief Operating Officer
Pierre A. Morgon is a life sciences entrepreneur, co-founder of companies, and advisor to venture capital and private equity funds. He also holds several board positions in private and public emerging ventures and non-profit organizations.
Pierre has over 35 years of experience in the global life sciences industry, in C-level positions at global level in multinational corporations and as CEO of start-up companies.
He is a mentor for CEOs of start-up life sciences companies at Mass Challenge.
He holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy, a Master in Business Law and an MBA, and he is an alumnus of INSEAD and IMD.
Team members
Lara Rosenberg
Chief Financial Officer, HR Management
15+ years’ experience in finance and human resources
MBA in Human and Social Sciences (Bordeaux University)
Sébastien Duleu
Scientific and Technical Manager Diagnostic Department
20+ years’ experience in diagnostics development
Masters in Biology (Bordeaux University)
Cyril Férandon
Therapy project coordinator
Biomedical scientist with +15 years’ expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, fungal biotechnology
PhD in medical biology, specialty in immunology-microbiology (Bordeaux University)
Scientific Board Members
Philippe Corcia: Head of the ALS Reference Centre in Tours, France, since 2005 and professor of Neurology since 2010. He has over 30 years of clinical and research experience in ALS
Didier Coquoz: Chief Regulatory Officer with 30+ years’ experience in pharma as company founder, CEO, CBDO and R&D manager
Pierre Morgon: CEO of MRGN Advisors, life sciences entrepreneur, co-founder and director of startup companies, and advisor to venture capital and private equity funds
Megan Robertson: MBBS FRACP FANZCA FCICM. Group Chief Research Officer, St Vincent’s Health Australia
Jean-Michel Rouillon: Clinical Gastroenterologist, Carcassonne, France
Partners
Our CRO : ALITHIA Life Sciences
Our CDMO : CURAPATH
Scientific Advisory Board
Already launched with key player in NeuroSciences and reglementary field Will be presented shortly
LEADERSHIP
CEO : Dr Jean Pascal Zambaux
Board of Director : Mario Philips | Michel Larroche
New shareholder : Joe Boncore
PLL THERAPEUTICS