Jean-Pierre Paccaud is trained as a molecular and cellular biologist. He earned his PhD at the University of Geneva School of Medicine and completed his post-doctoral training at UC Berkeley in the lab of Prof. Randy Schekman. Before taking on entrepreneurial challenges, he spent more than 18 years in academia, working in immunology, diabetes, and cell biology at the University of Geneva School of Medicine.

In 2022, Jean-Pierre resigned from his tenure position to found Athelas SA, a startup company active in the field of anti-bacterial drug discovery and development, which he lead until its merger with Merlion Pharmaceuticals in 2006. In 2007, he joined the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), heading the business development and legal teams activities, and contributing to establish key R&D partnerships with several global pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and academic groups to foster the development of critical drugs to treat neglected diseases. Jean-Pierre contributed to GARDP’s inception in 2017 with the help of DNDi and WHO, heading its Business Development and Corporate Strategy activities until 2023, when he retired.

Jean-Pierre brings to the field of biotech innovation and AMR in particular, a combination of business and scientific skills, entrepreneurial experience as well as negotiation and deal-making practice in the context of global public health needs.