Team | Vitropep

Pioneering Peptide-Based Therapeutics for a Healthier Tomorrow

At Vitropep, we are advancing peptide science to create practical healthcare solutions that transform lives. The company was founded by Dr. Christophe Tarabout, whose groundbreaking discovery of the stable supramolecular glass state of peptides, during his postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute, laid the foundation for our innovations. This discovery has opened new frontiers in drug delivery and biomaterials.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Our mission is to enhance treatment efficacy and improve the quality of life for patients by developing painless, dissolving microneedle patches for the effective management of chronic illnesses

Founder, CEO & CTO

Christophe Tarabout, PhD

With dual master’s degrees in Chemistry (Paris-Sud) and Molecular and Cellular Biophysics (Paris Cité), Christophe completed his PhD at Rennes I, pioneering peptide nanostructure characterization and hybrid nanotube mineralization. After discovering the existence of peptides in the form of molecular glasses during his postdoctoral fellowship at Max-Planck Institute, Germany, he transitioned from academia to Biotech and founded Vitropep in 2022. Christophe’s deep scientific insight drives our R&D and patent portfolio.

Co-Founder, CBO

François Boutignon, PhD

A peptide formulation expert, François earned his doctorate at INSERM Lille and did post-doctoral research at Oxford on protein structure-activity relationships. As former R&D Director at Europeptides and 22-year CEO of Aptys Pharma, he brings strategic business development, project management, and fundraising experience to Vitropep.

Co-Founder, CFO

Thibaut Mercey, MSc, MBA

SupOptique-trained engineer and London Business School MBA, Thibaut has co-founded four deep-tech life-science firms and holds seven patent families. Recognized by MIT Technology Review as a top French innovator under 35, he will bring his experience in developing innovative startups.

Co-Founder, COO

Deepika Kassen, PhD

Deepika holds a PhD in Molecular Oncology (University of Lausanne) and an Executive Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris. She brings expertise in skin inflammation, clinical trials, and startup leadership, driving operations and applying Design Thinking and Agile Methodologies to streamline skin model testing and integrate R&D, scale-up, and commercialization.