Altasciences Announces Chris Perkin Appointed Executive Chairman; Marie-Hélène Raigneau Appointed Chief Executive Officer

LAVAL, Québec – Altasciences announced today that Chris Perkin has been appointed as Executive Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Following a leadership transition that has been ongoing for the past 12 months, Marie-Hélène Raigneau, President of the company since April 2025, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer 2 2025, 2025.

“Altascience was founded on the belief that integration, accountability, and scientific excellence can facilitate early-stage drug development. That belief is brought to life every day by our people and their unwavering commitment to sponsors.”

Chris joined Altasciences as CEO in 2010 and has played a key role in transforming the company from a clinical research organization, focused on generic drug testing, to a fully integrated early stage contract research and drug manufacturing organization operating in nine North American locations. Since joining, Chris has driven the strategic expansion of the company’s geography and capabilities, enabling sponsors to access a single-source solution for preclinical and clinical research, bioanalysis, development, and manufacturing of drug therapies. By 2025, this integrated approach supported FDA approval of 11 of 46 new drugs, representing 24% of all approvals.

Over the past five decades, Chris has built a distinguished career defined by entrepreneurial vision, innovation, and a relentless focus on advancing drug development. His journey spans the evolution of the life sciences industry, from early scientific and operational roles to senior leadership positions overseeing complex, global organizations.

Chris’s leadership has been focused on reducing complexity for sponsors, accelerating development times, and maintaining strong standards of scientific quality and patient safety. His work has helped position sponsors to play an active role in the development of new treatments and to support regulatory approvals around the world.

Beyond results, Chris’ legacy is defined by mentorship, trust, and principled leadership. Highly regarded for his collaborative, people-driven, and forward-thinking leadership style, Chris was recognized as one of PharmaVOICE’s “100 Most Inspiring Leaders” four years in a row, as well as a Red Jacket Lifetime recipient. After 50 years in the industry, his impact is evident not only in the companies he helped grow, but also in the people and programs that continue to move science forward.

Taking over as CEO, Marie-Hélène Raigneau has been with Altasciences since 2012, and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the position. He began his career as a Business Development Manager at Future Electronics and moved up at Charles River Laboratories to become Global Director of Marketing, Non-Health Services. Over the past 14 years, Marie-Hélène has held various roles at Altasciences, including Executive Director of Business Development and Marketing, General Manager, Vice President of Research Services, Chief Operating Officer, and, most recently, President.

Marie-Hélène has helped shape nearly every aspect of Altasciences’ culture and integrated service offering in senior leadership positions including therapeutic, clinical, bioanalysis, and manufacturing operations. Notably, Marie-Hélène was part of the creation of the company’s CRO Services, leading the development of project management, medical writing, biostatistics, and planning capabilities to meet growing customer demand. In addition, he has overseen major investments and expansions of the company’s bioanalytical laboratories throughout Canada and the United States.

Throughout her career, Marie-Hélène has been recognized by her peers for combining operational precision with compassion and integrity, fostering a culture of open communication, collaboration, and trust.

Altasciences is a mid-tier, fully integrated contract research and pharmaceutical company operating primarily in Canada and the US and owned by Novo Holdings.

Steve Mason and Robert Sabelli will continue in their roles as Co-Chief Operating Officers, overseeing day-to-day operations and driving efficiency, quality, and compliance across the organization. Also continuing in their roles are Catherine Konidas, Chief Administrative Officer; Julie-Ann Cabana, Chief Marketing Officer; David Grégoire, Chief Quality and Compliance Officer; Mariano Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Gaetano Morelli, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Beatrice Setnik, Chief Scientific Officer.