Altasciences announced today that Chris Perkin has been appointed Executive Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Following a leadership transition that has been underway for the past 12 months, Marie-Hélène Raigneau, President of the company since April 2025, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, also effective Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
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From left to right: Chris Perkin, Executive Chairman of the Board (Altasciences), and Marie-Hélène Raigneau, Chief Executive Officer (Altasciences).
“Having worked alongside Marie-Hélène for over two decades, I am fully confident in her readiness to guide Altasciences forward with clarity and purpose,” said Chris. “I am happy to be stepping aside after 50 years in drug development, knowing that Altasciences is well-positioned for the future.”
Chris joined Altasciences as CEO in 2010 and has played a central role in transforming the company from a clinical research organization, focused on testing of generic drugs, into a fully integrated early-phase contract research and contract drug manufacturing organization operating across nine North American locations. Since joining, Chris has driven the strategic expansion of the company’s geographic footprint and capabilities, enabling sponsors to access a single-source solution for preclinical and clinical research, bioanalysis, formulation, and manufacturing for novel drug therapies. In 2025, this integrated approach supported 11 of the 46 FDA approvals for novel drugs, representing 24% of all approvals.
Over the past five decades, Chris has built a distinguished career defined by entrepreneurial vision, operational 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 guiding complex, global organizations.
Chris’ leadership has consistently centered around reducing complexity for sponsors, accelerating development timelines, and maintaining uncompromising standards of scientific quality and patient safety. His work has helped position sponsors to play a meaningful role in advancing novel therapies and supporting regulatory approvals worldwide.
Beyond results, Chris’ legacy is defined by mentorship, trust, and principled leadership. Widely respected for his collaborative, people-driven, and forward-thinking leadership style, Chris was recognized as one of PharmaVOICE’s “100 Most Inspiring Leaders” for four consecutive years, as well as being a Lifetime Red Jacket honoree. After 50 years in the industry, his impact is reflected not only in the companies he helped grow, but in the people and programs that continue to move science forward.
Stepping into the role of CEO, Marie-Hélène Raigneau has been with Altasciences since 2012, and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the position. She began her career as Business Development Manager at Future Electronics and rose through the ranks at Charles River Laboratories to become Global Director of Marketing, Nonclinical Services. Over the last 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, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and, most recently, President.
“Marie-Hélène has been a key member of our executive leadership team, partnering with me on company strategy, operational priorities, and long-term growth,” reflected Chris. “Her deep understanding of our business, the drug development pipeline, our people, and our clients, combined with her strong leadership and values-driven approach, position her exceptionally well to lead Altasciences into its next chapter.”
Marie-Hélène has helped shaped nearly every dimension of Altasciences’ culture and integrated service offering in senior leadership positions spanning preclinical, clinical, bioanalysis, and manufacturing operations. Notably, Marie-Hélène was integral to the building of the company’s CRO Services, leading the scaling of project management, medical writing, biostatistics, and programming capabilities to meet growing client demand. In addition, she has overseen major investments and the expansion of the company’s bioanalytical laboratories across Canada and the United States.
“Altasciences was founded on the belief that integration, accountability, and scientific excellence can simplify early-phase drug development. That belief is brought to life every day through our people and their unwavering commitment to sponsors,” said Marie-Hélène. “I’ve had the privilege of helping shape Altasciences for more than a decade, and I’m proud of what our teams have accomplished together.”
Throughout her career, Marie-Hélène has been recognized by her peers for combining operational precision with empathy and integrity, fostering a culture of open communication, collaboration, and trust.
“As we build on the strong foundation established under Chris’ leadership, we will continue to invest in technology, expand our integrated capabilities, and empower our people, so that our partners can reach critical milestones faster and with greater certainty,” concluded Marie-Hélène.
Altasciences is a mid-sized, fully integrated early-phase contract research and drug manufacturing organization operating primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is 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 operational excellence, 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, Executive Vice President Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Beatrice Setnik, Chief Scientific Officer.
About Altasciences
Altasciences is an integrated drug development solution company offering pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a proven, flexible approach to preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies, including formulation, manufacturing, and analytical services. For over 30 years, Altasciences has been partnering with sponsors to help support educated, faster, and more complete early drug development decisions. Altasciences’ integrated, full-service solutions include preclinical safety testing, clinical pharmacology and proof of concept, bioanalysis, program management, research support, medical writing, biostatistics, clinical monitoring, and data management, all customizable to specific sponsor requirements. Altasciences helps sponsors get better drugs to the people who need them, faster. To learn more about Altasciences, visit altasciences.com.
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