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MBA Entrepreneurs: Here’s How I Broke Into BioTech With An MBA At EMLYON

Francois Quemeneur wants to change the way we look at cells

Thu Oct 6 2016

BusinessBecause
Francois Quemeneur is bringing scientific research to life with an MBA.

For almost a decade, Francois led research projects related to cosmetics, life sciences and healthcare. A physicist with a doctorate degree, he sought a new dimension to his career.

And, in 2014, he took a step back from science and broke into the world of business with an MBA at France’s EMLYON Business School.

There, he specialized in marketing, strategy and innovation management. He worked on a nine-month consulting project instead of a written dissertation, strategizing for an energy management solutions firm.

And, right after graduation, he co-founded Cytoskeleton Diagnostics, or CytoDiag. The biotech startup is looking for a new way to understand living systems, to deconstruct cells, improve research and development efficiency and drive the discovery of new drugs. Still in development phase, Francois aims to launch the business this time next year.

As an EMLYON MBA grad, he’s well placed to do so. Lyon is a biotech startup hub and entrepreneurship is in the DNA of the school.

How did the idea to start CytoDiag come about?

Post-doctorate, my associate and I decided to switch from academic research and use technology to help the pharma industry develop next-generation medicine.

At the moment, you use small animals or cell structure to understand how living systems work. The problem is, to really understand how cells function, it’s easier to reconstruct them in test tubes and evaluate the constituents involved.

It’s like a construction project. You need to follow a blueprint. If some of the bricks aren’t right, then you won’t get an effective construction at the end. So the idea is not to study all the bricks at the same time, but to deconstruct the whole and to evaluate the effects of each of these bricks.

During my MBA, we won a startup competition in the Auvergne region, access to an incubator and financial help.

What do you hope to achieve?

To provide a new understanding of living systems, and to improve the selection of drugs.

Efficiency is a huge problem in the pharma industry. At the start of the research and development process you start with 10,000 molecules, and you’re lucky if you can validate one which can arrive at patient level.

The probability of success is really limited. And the idea of CytoDiag is to increase that probability, and increase the detection of the right components at the start of the process.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at EMLYON?

For people from scientific background, an MBA is a great opportunity. EMLYON offered specialization by industry. For me, it was interesting to take up classic business topics, but also with a few classes focused on life sciences and new venture, which helped me make the transition into my startup project.

I also wanted to work in a consulting team on a real project. I’d done a masters, a PhD, and I’d written publications; I wasn’t interested in a final project dissertation. EMLYON’s leadership project was a good opportunity for me to apply my skills and new knowledge on a real case.

How have you profited from your MBA experience?

I developed an entrepreneurial mindset and a solid foundation in different aspects of business.

The MBA has helped me to identify interesting business opportunities and make the transition to a high-level manager in a startup. It’s helped me to take a more complete view of my project and all the elements I have to consider; from the investment processes, to the stakeholders and the competition.

Plus, EMLYON has a small cohort size with high diversity. We were in a group of 35 students of over 20 nationalities. We worked on many different projects together, managing international teams. So we all improved our leadership and our management skills.

What makes Lyon an attractive location for biotech entrepreneurs?

A combination of innovative public organizations, a good network of business schools, and a lot of biotech and big pharma firms, means there are a lot of opportunities to develop, and be helped in developing, your own projects in Lyon.

Through the EMLYON MBA network, you have access to executives in the industry. You have the ecosystem in Lyon and, at the same time, you can quickly get to Paris or London. Plus, it’s a really nice place to live; close to the French Alps and the Mediterranean.

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

Student

Verified

18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

Student

Verified

23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.

Student

Verified

11/09/2024

On Campus

Great

Pretty great ! Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

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