GENTICEL (Euronext Paris and Brussels: FR0011790542 – GTCL), a French biotechnology company and leading developer of therapeutic vaccines, announced that following the Supervisory Board’s meeting held on September 11, 2014, Mary Tanner has been appointed to the board as a new independently-acting member and as Audit Committee chairman.

Mary Tanner is co-founder and senior managing director of Life Sciences Partners, LLC, a financial advisory and consulting firm that concentrates on strategy and financial advice to life sciences companies. Based in New York, Mary previously served as senior managing director for different world-renowned investment banks such as Lehman Brothers Inc, Bear Stearns and Co and Peter J. Solomon.

Mary Tanner replaces a resigning board member, Amundi Private Equity Fund.

Thierry Hercend, MD, PhD, chairman of Genticel’s Supervisory Board, said: “Mary Tanner is by far one of the most experienced American bankers in the life sciences sector. We are very excited to welcome her to the Board. Mary’s talent and familiarity with American institutional investors will serve as strong assets in Genticel’s development. Her guidance will be very useful in gaining the vital visibility the Company needs with American investors and pharma industry, especially as it prepares its first US-based clinical trial with ProCervix, scheduled to start in 2015. Moreover, her financial expertise and her knowledge of internal control and reporting requirements will be key assets for our Audit Committee, over which she has accepted to preside.”

Thierry Hercend further stated: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board, we would like to extend our gratitude to Amundi, represented by Mr. Alexandre Flageul, for the expertise and support it provided to Genticel. Their advice and repeat investments have significantly contributed to our Company’s development.”

Mary Tanner’s Biography

Ms. Tanner has devoted more than 25 years to the global healthcare industry. Her expertise includes the ethical pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, healthcare services and consumer medicine industries.

In addition to her well-known work with large companies, Ms. Tanner specializes in domestic and cross-border transactions between large and small companies, including corporate partnering and minority investments.

Ms. Tanner’s clients have included: Pfizer in its USD 60 billion acquisition of Pharmacia; Amgen in its USD 16 billion acquisition of Immunex; Rhône-Poulenc in its acquisition of Rorer; followed by Rhône-Poulenc Rorer in its acquisition of UK company Fisons; BASF/BASF Pharma, in its acquisition of UK company Boots Pharmaceuticals and numerous other strategic transactions. Ms. Tanner has directed over 130 initial public offerings of life sciences companies.

Ms. Tanner is a member of the Board of Directors of Lineagen, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company. She serves on the Dean’s Council of the Yale School of Medicine and the advisory board of the Yale School of Management (US).

Ms. Tanner received a B.A. from Harvard University. An American native, she is also fluent in French.