Leadership transition at FIND

Philippe Jacon joins as new CEO

Geneva, Switzerland – 28 September 2011 – The Board of Directors of FIND would like to announce a change in the leadership of the organization. From 1 October 2011, Philippe Jacon will replace the current Chief Executive Officer, Giorgio Roscigno, under whose direction FIND has spearheaded some of the most significant advances in diagnostics for the developing world.

Philippe comes to FIND from the European Diagnostics Manufacturers’ Association, where he has held the position of ad interim Director-General since March 2011. He has spent most of his career with BD (Becton Dickinson and Company), most recently as Worldwide President of BD Diagnostics-Diagnostic Systems. A microbiologist engineer by training, Philippe has lived and worked in various locations worldwide.

“I am truly excited to join this dynamic organization in global health,” said Philippe, “which has always been close to my heart.”

Giorgio Roscigno will be joining the top leadership team of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM). In his new role, Giorgio will be based in Africa, from where he will continue to foster significant collaboration between the ASLM and FIND, particularly in the area of laboratory strengthening.

“I would like to warmly welcome Philippe to the FIND team,” said Dr Gerald Möller, Chairman of the Board of FIND, “and to thank Giorgio for all he has done for this organization. FIND has already achieved some outstanding results in the development and roll-out of diagnostics for TB, malaria and sleeping sickness, and I am confident that Philippe will ably guide FIND to continue to deliver on its promise.”

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About FIND
The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics is dedicated to developing affordable, easy-to-use and cutting edge diagnostic tests that save lives in the poorest areas of the world. From proof of principle to putting new tests into practice, the organization works with multiple and diverse groups, from academia, industry, donors, partners in the field, Ministries of Health and the World Health Organization. With five new diagnostic tools for TB already in use, FIND also has established programmes in malaria and sleeping sickness, and has begun working on other neglected diseases, such as leishmaniasis. Launched in 2003, the not-for-profit Foundation is ISO certified and financed by both the private and public sectors, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Government of the Netherlands, the European Union, UNITAID, UK Department for International Development, National Institutes of Health (USA), UBS Optimus Foundation and others.