Marie-Hélène Raigneau has built an impressive career in the pharmaceutical research field, spanning over 25 years in the drug development industry. Her professional journey includes experience in both preclinical and clinical research organizations, with more than 15 of those years spent in leadership roles. She began her career in sales and marketing before transitioning into operational roles, where she found her stride.
In 2012, Marie-Hélène Raigneau joined Altasciences as Executive Director of Business Development and Marketing. At that time, the organization was undergoing a strategic transformation—from a contract research organization (CRO) focused primarily on clinical research and bioanalysis for generic drugs to a full-service CRO, offering comprehensive, early-phase drug development solutions, from discovery through to clinical proof of concept and beyond.
Altasciences has received several CRO Leadership Awards, including recognition as a Champion in the Capabilities category for 2024, based on client feedback from ISR’s annual benchmarking survey. Additionally, the company was awarded the 2025 CDMO Leadership Award for Small Molecule Dosage Form in North America.
Marie-Hélène Raigneau leadership trajectory within Altasciences continued steadily. In 2015, she became General Manager of the company’s Canadian facilities. Three years later, in 2018, she was appointed Vice President of Research Support Services. Her responsibilities grew further when she took on the role of Co-Chief Operating Officer in 2020. In April of this year, she reached a new milestone in her career by stepping into the role of President.
Her decision to join Altasciences stemmed from a strong belief in the organization’s potential to transform and accelerate drug development by focusing on customer experience and integrating a wide range of services. Collaborating with trusted colleagues who shared her values and business philosophy, she found a place where she could make a meaningful impact.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
What are your primary responsibilities?
Over the past five years as Co-Chief Operating Officer, alongside Steve Mason, I was responsible for Altasciences’ clinical, bioanalytical, formulation, development and manufacturing capabilities, and the complementary CRO services, including data management, biostatistics, project management, and medical writing. In my new position as President, I share dual responsibility with our CEO Chris Perkin for the executive team, where my focus is primarily on our growth, strategic planning, and operational delivery.
Pharmaceutical research is undergoing significant transformation. What changes do you believe are most critical for CROs to embrace in order to stay at the forefront of the industry?
Altasciences is built on flexibility and responsiveness—qualities that are more critical than ever in today’s evolving pharmaceutical research landscape. As the needs of sponsors grow more complex, CROs must be able to adapt quickly and scale accordingly. Whether supporting a single drug candidate or an entire pipeline, Altasciences is committed to meeting each client where they are, offering early-phase solutions that can expand seamlessly into later stages.
We are the only CRO/CDMO able to guide a sponsor’s molecule from discovery all the way to clinical proof of concept and beyond. Our integrated CRO/CDMO model eliminates the need for data or project transfers for our clients, enabling faster timelines and smoother transitions. And with a dedicated program manager at the helm, our clients benefit from adaptable support, real-time communication, and a customized approach designed to keep their programs on track and on budget.
How do you approach leading Altasciences through periods of change, and what leadership qualities do you think are essential during these times?
Leading through change requires significant adaptability while staying focused on our mission: helping clients deliver medicines to patients more quickly. Change can be challenging, but it also presents exciting opportunities to innovate and improve how we work together across functions.
During these times, I focus on open and transparent communication to ensure everyone understands the “why” behind the change and feels supported throughout the process. Listening closely to our teams and clients allows us to address concerns and harness diverse perspectives, strengthening our collective resilience.
Essential leadership qualities in these moments include empathy, flexibility, and decisiveness. These are important to connect with staff on a human-to-human level, to pivot when needed, and to move forward with confidence. Ultimately, leading with purpose and fostering collaboration enables us to navigate change successfully.
Technology is reshaping the way research is conducted. How has Altasciences leveraged new technologies or innovative methodologies to enhance the research process?
At Altasciences, we view technology as a valuable partner in advancing drug development. For example, the growth of artificial intelligence has opened new possibilities in pharmaceutical research, and we’ve welcomed its role in making us work smarter—for our clients and ultimately for the patients who rely on the treatments we help develop. AI allows us to sift through vast amounts of data, uncover patterns, and make more informed, timely choices about which drug candidates to move forward, and how to best support them during early-phase development.
We have already started integrating proven AI tools into our processes and continue to explore new technologies that will enhance workflows. From intuitive dashboards that simplify data review to machine learning systems that optimize task allocation, these innovations support us in managing the growing complexity of early-phase trials.
What strategies do you use to ensure Altasciences maintains high operational standards and continues delivering value to clients in a competitive industry?
It starts with a strong foundation in communication. We have built a culture where client feedback is not just welcome, it’s integral to improving our processes and service delivery. Our dedicated client experience team actively gathers and tracks feedback through multiple channels, ensuring clients’ voices are heard and acted upon promptly.
This ongoing dialogue allows us to identify opportunities for innovation and refine our integrated approach, which brings together preclinical, clinical, bioanalytical, and manufacturing services under a single organization—as well as the full array of CRO services. By understanding our clients’ unique needs and challenges, we can proactively manage timelines, anticipate potential issues, and tailor solutions that accelerate drug development without compromising quality.
We also invest heavily in state-of-the-art facilities and maintain rigorous quality systems, to meet and exceed regulatory standards globally. Our broad range of services are all designed to work together to reduce timelines and costs for our clients.
In a competitive industry, our combination of integrated operations, quality commitment, and client partnership is what sets Altasciences apart and enables us to consistently deliver value.
As a leader in pharmaceutical research, you’ve likely faced significant challenges. What’s been one of the most difficult obstacles you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome it?
Changing the way drug development has always been done and making early-phase research simpler for sponsors around the world was no small task. It’s what our CEO set out to do when he joined the company in 2010, knowing full well when he was in an industry that has traditionally been slow to evolve. But it’s exactly why I joined Altasciences.
The usual way of outsourcing, with different partners handling separate phases, was often a cause for delays, inefficiencies, and gaps in communication for sponsors—and we set out to bridge the gap between the preclinical and clinical phases.
It took patience and persistence, but by staying focused on our goal to get medicines to patients faster, and by showing the full impact of an integrated model, we built trust and shifted how the industry sees CROs and CDMOs.
This journey has taught me that real change takes time, and leadership is about guiding people through uncertainty, with clear communication and a shared purpose.
How do you cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation at Altasciences, and what key qualities do you look for when building your team?
At Altasciences, cultivating a culture of excellence and innovation means living our core values every day: quality, integrity, respect, customer focus, and employee development. We create an environment that encourages, empowers, and inspires our staff to share their best ideas. Innovation thrives when teams collaborate openly and are encouraged to challenge the status quo.
Excellence is achieved by combining high standards with a culture that actively encourages participation and recognizes the value of each idea. This way, we celebrate our success together, and view challenges as opportunities to become stronger, to better serve our clients, and accelerate drug development.
When building my team, I look for people who are not only technically skilled and curious but also adaptable, collaborative, and deeply committed to our mission. Integrity and a strong work ethic are essential, as is a genuine passion for making a difference.
Ultimately, it’s about bringing together talented individuals who share a sense of purpose, and support each other to disrupt the norm and push boundaries.
What advice would you offer to individuals who aspire to leadership positions within the CRO industry? What skills and experiences do you consider most important for success?
Cultivate a strong team that is passionate about your mission. Given the complexity of the industry, it’s essential to have a diverse range of expertise to thrive. I have greatly benefited from collaborating with individuals at Altasciences whose contributions have been invaluable to our progress. Remember, the strength of your team is a key factor in driving your success, so invest the time in building and nurturing these relationships.
And one more thing: be sure to focus on and listen to what the client needs. It seems so obvious, and yet I’ve often seen companies get so wrapped up in their own vision of success that they neglect to listen to their customers and adapt their vision accordingly. Our business model has been shaped by listening to their feedback, addressing their pain points with effective solutions, and continually evolving to provide them with the best possible experience.
Finally, where do you see Altasciences and the broader research industry in the next five to ten years, and what role do you hope to play in shaping that future?
The biggest challenge drug developers face today is bringing new medicines to market as quickly as possible and more effectively, navigating complex regulatory requirements while managing tight timelines and budgets. At Altasciences, we understand this pressure, and our approach is designed to be the solution that helps sponsors overcome these hurdles.
Our goal is to continue to be the partner that delivers high-quality science while safely accelerating the sponsors’ drug development journey from discovery to clinical proof of concept, and beyond.
