Defence names Dr Maxime Parisotto chief science officer

Defence Therapeutics Inc. named Dr Maxime Parisotto as its new Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Science and Business Development, the firm announced. It fills a leadership gap after Dr Moutih Rafei has left the organization.

A biochemist with two decades of experience

Dr Parisotto brings more than 20 years of experience spanning academic research, drug development, and innovation. He holds a PhD in biochemistry focused on breast cancer and metabolism, and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the IGBMC in Strasbourg, France, and the Université de Montréal. His background includes work as a Senior Analyst at adMare Bioinnovations, where Dr Parisotto contributed to investment decisions. He also holds a graduate certificate in life science entrepreneurship development from Concordia University and is expected to graduate with an MBA from Sherbrooke University in April 2025.

Before joining adMare, the new CSO led research initiatives in cancer biology and stem cells at the IRCM and Université de Montréal. He has managed multidisciplinary teams and contributed to high-impact scientific publications.

What he’ll do at Defence

Defence said Dr Parisotto’s role combines scientific leadership with business development. His research interests center on advancing drug development from discovery through clinical stages, and he has experience building collaborations between academia, industry, and investors. His scientific expertise covers oncology, protein biochemistry, cell metabolism, and stem cell biology. “I strongly believe that Defence’s proprietary Accum® technology platform has a great potential for the development of targeted therapies that will make a difference for the patients,” Dr Parisotto said in a statement.

Sébastien Plouffe, Defence’s President, CEO and Founder, described Dr Parisotto as “an accomplished and strong scientist” whose business knowledge would guide the firm’s growth.

Plouffe said the appointment would benefit shareholders.

It’s worth noting that the firm’s Accum platform is central to its pipeline. The technology is designed to improve how therapeutic agents accumulate inside cancer cells, though clinical results will ultimately determine its value.

Stock options and a departure

Defence granted Dr Parisotto 100,000 incentive stock options under the firm’s stock option plan. The options vest immediately and are exercisable at 60 cents per share for three years from the grant date. It also confirmed that Dr Moutih Rafei is no longer with Defence. In a brief statement, it thanked Dr Rafei for his contributions without providing further details about his departure.

Parisotto is an active participant in the Canadian biotech ecosystem, attending national and international conferences regularly. He maintains an extensive professional network, which Defence likely views as an asset for partnership development.