Denis Lucquin

Managing Partner Emeritus at Sofinnova Partners · Joined 1991

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Biography

Denis Lucquin joined Sofinnova Partners in 1991 and spent more than three decades at the firm, serving as its Chairman until 2017 and as a Managing Partner until 2021, after which the firm's site listed him as Managing Partner Emeritus. Before Sofinnova he headed the technology transfer department at INRA and in 1989 became director of investments at Innolion, the venture arm of Credit Lyonnais. He was the principal architect of Sofinnova's industrial biotechnology strategy and, according to BioCentury, invested in 31 biotech companies including Ablynx, Nicox and Novexel. He co-founded France Biotech in 1997 and died on 3 April 2026 at the age of 69.

Education

Previous Experience

Notable Investments

BioAmberAvantiumBiotalysGreen BiologicsMicrophytMicropepAblynxNicoxNovexelInnate Pharma

Career Timeline

1989
Became director of investments at Innolion, the venture arm of Credit Lyonnais.
1991
Joined Sofinnova Partners.
1997
Co-founded France Biotech to support France's emerging biotech sector.
2017
Stepped down as Chairman of Sofinnova Partners.
2021
Stepped down as Managing Partner of Sofinnova Partners, becoming Managing Partner Emeritus.
2026
Died on 3 April at age 69.

Sources & References

Sofinnova Partners - Denis Lucquin ↗Sofinnova Partners - In memory of Denis Lucquin, Sofinnova chairman ↗BioCentury - Remembering Sofinnova's Denis Lucquin, father of French biotech ↗