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There are over 18 million new cancers diagnosed and 9.6 million people die of cancer across the globe each year.
At Rarecells, we believe we can do something about these alarming statistics. We know that accurate, early cancer detection has the potential to save millions of lives. Every day our talented and dedicated team works with experts to make the technology that can make the transformation of cancer care possible.
Early detection can minimize the impact of cancer
We believe that we can develop technology to find a rare cancer cell early enough that it can be eliminated at the start. If cancer is eliminated early, damaging and toxic treatments can be eliminated as well. Cancer will no longer be as scary. In fact, it will possible to eliminate the fear and impact of cancer.
The ISET© technology is able to extract a single Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) using morpho-molecular scanning to identify rare circulating cancer cells. We use artificial intelligence to analyze the cells, providing valuable insights that allow cancer to be treated years ahead of a typical diagnosis.
Board of Directors
Rarecells is committed to the best practices in corporate governance and has appointed a prestigious Board of Directors with significant expertise in the diagnostic, financial and scientific areas.
Prof Patrizia Paterlini-Brécho MD, PhD
President, CEO & Founder
Emeritus Professor of Cell biology and Oncology, former Director at INSERM, Patrizia Paterlini-Bréchot is Rarecells’ Founder and President. In addition to fundamental research studies on liver carcinogenesis early in her career, she focused on applied research. Her research led to the discovery and development of the patented ISET® technique for isolation and characterization of circulating tumor and fetal cells permitting innovative advances in non-invasive predictive oncology and prenatal diagnosis. Prof Paterlini Bréchot oversees the continuing development of Rarecells and its ISET® technology. Her work was acknowledged by 13 prestigious awards and led to 120+ high level scientific publications.
Dr Neil Gunn PhD
Recognized industry expert, Dr Gunn has spent 12 years at Roche Diagnostics, where he led the launches of well over one hundred products. He was also responsible for building Roche’s sequencing business, demonstrating above market performance and growing the team by more than 500 percent. Previously, Gunn spent eight years at Chiron Blood Testing, where he introduced the first molecular tests for blood screening (HIV and HCV) that are now standard practice around the world. More recently Dr Gunn has served as CEO of infectious disease company IDbyDNA, to its acquisition by Illumina.
Prof Albert Bressand MBA, PhD
Harvard and Polytechnique (Paris) political economist with experience in top echelons of policy and strategy formulation at EU Commission, French Quai d’Orsay, World Bank and the Royal Dutch Shell leadership group. Joined academia at age 50 as full professor and ED of the Center for Energy, Marine Transportation & Public Policy at Columbia University (New York). Skilled in International Relations, strategic planning, political philosophy and global scenarios. Cofounded and led PROMETHEE, a ‘top-20’ (The Economist) think-tank on the networked society. Served as Directeur de Collection at Le Seuil, Paris. Coauthor of Le Prochain Monde (Le Seuil), La Planète Relationnelle (Flammarion), the RAMSES report (IFRI) and lead-editor of art illustrated thought-leadership books for companies such as Deutsche Borse, S&P and EY.
Prof Christian Brechot MD, PhD
After working as a researcher in the field of virology, Christian Bréchot was president and general manager of INSERM (Institut National de Santé et Recherche Médicale), the largest scientific health institution in France. He was then appointed as Vice-President of Medical and Scientific Affairs of the Institut Merieux company. From October 2013- to September 2017 he served as President of the Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Dr. Brechot is currently the Senior Associate Dean for Research in Global Affairs and the Associate Vice-President for International Partnerships and Innovation at the University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. Additionally, he is currently the President of the Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA.
Mr Thierry de Marignac
Former Partner at Banque Mirabaud & Cie and leading investor, Mr de Marignac represents the interests of Rarecells’ Series A Round investors.
Our Team
Prof Patrizia Paterlini-Bréchot MD, PhD CEO
Emeritus Professor of Cell biology and Oncology, former Director at INSERM, Patrizia Paterlini-Bréchot is Rarecells’ Founder and President. In addition to fundamental research studies on liver carcinogenesis early in her career, she focused on applied research. Her research led to the discovery and development of the patented ISET® technique for isolation and characterization of circulating tumor and fetal cells permitting innovative advances in non-invasive predictive oncology and prenatal diagnosis. Prof Paterlini Bréchot oversees the continuing development of Rarecells and its ISET® technology. Her work was acknowledged by 13 prestigious awards and led to 120+ high level scientific publications.
Davide Brechot CFO
Davide has been focusing on the expansion of the operations and the development of service activities since he joined Rarecells. Previously acting as COO he oversaw the development of a new generation of ISET® products and the regulatory compliance for the company. Prior to joining Rarecells, he worked in the United States in energy consulting and co-founded a start-up in the digital space, for which he served as President and CTO. Davide holds a Master of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Imperial College London, a Master of International Affairs from Sciences-Po Paris, and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.
Alessandra Decina COO
Alessandra joined Rarecells in 2015 as the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager, supporting the development of new products, and the expansion of operations. Since the beginning of 2020, she has been working as COO, overseeing Rarecells’ operations.
Alessandra holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Roma Tre University and a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the La Sapienza University of Rome that led her to focus on medical devices.
Scientific Advisory Board
Leroy Hood MD, PhD
Dr. Hood’s research has focused on the study of molecular immunology, biotechnology, and genomics. He won the 2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventing “four instruments that have unlocked much of the mystery of human biology” by helping decode the genome. His inventions include the DNA sequencer that contributed to the successful mapping of the human genome.
His professional career began at Caltech where he and his colleagues pioneered four instruments, which comprise the technological foundation for contemporary molecular biology. In 1992, Dr. Hood moved to the University of Washington as founder and Chairman of the cross-disciplinary Department of Molecular Biotechnology.
Joe Leigh Simpson MD
Dr Simpson is the founding Chair at Florida International University Miami, and has served as Chair and Professor in numerous universities in the USA. Besides, he has played leadership roles in many professional organizations. His research encompasses many areas of genetic prenatal diagnosis and reproductive genetics.
He was 1993-1994 President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1994-1998 President of the International Society of Prenatal Diagnosis, 1998-1999 President of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 2007-09 President of the American College of Medical Genetics, 2006-09 President of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM).
Frank Anthony Greco MD
Dr. Tony Greco is board certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. He has been with Tennessee Oncology since 1993. Dr. Greco specializes in cancers of unknown primary, lung cancer, and germ cell tumors. Dr. Greco holds memberships in the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Southern Association of Oncology.
He is also a clinical researcher and director of Sarah Cannon Cancer Center and co-director of the Minnie Pearl Research Network. Dr. Greco comes to us from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as the Director of Medical Oncology and the Cancer Center.
Jean-Yves Blay MD, PhD
Dr. Jean-Yves Blay is Professor of Medicine at the Université Claude Bernard in Lyon, France, and the Scientific Director of the Canceropole Lyon Rhône Alpes, a network of more than 1500 researchers and physicians working in the field of cancer. He is President of the Executive Committee of the EORTC (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer), Chairman of the French Sarcoma Group, and Director in the Conticanet Network (Conticanet.eu), a Network of excellence funded by the 6th FrameWork Program of the European Commission.
His research interests focus on clinical and basic research in sarcomas, the biology of breast carcinoma and relation between tumor microenvironment and malignant cells. Dr. Blay is an active member of the European Society of Medical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association of Cancer Research. Dr. Blay serves as scientific committee board member of five Cancer Centers in France.