Alain Richard joins Specific Diagnostics as Head of Commercial Operations, EMEA


“I am pleased to have joined the team at the inflection point of its commercial launch in Europe, and to help build a commercial organization focused on bringing this important diagnostic capability to patients across Europe and elsewhere in my region.”

Specific Diagnostics today announced the appointment of industry veteran Alain Richard to the position of Head of Commercial Operations, EMEA, ahead of its European market launch. Mr. Richard has over 20 years of diagnostics experience at senior levels, having most recently been chief executive officer of i2a, as well as previously serving in leadership roles including Senior Director for Commercial Operations at Danaher company SCIEX. Previously, as Vice President EMEA Mr. Richard helped build Iris Diagnostics’ commercial business in Europe, where he was its first employee, to a $55M division of Iris before its acquisition by Danaher company Beckman Coulter in 2009. Mr. Richard will play a similar role on the Specific leadership team, where he will be responsible for overseeing commercial operations in Europe.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Alain’s knowledge and experience join our leadership team,” said Dr. Paul A. Rhodes, CEO of Specific. “His proven record of building commercial organizations will be instrumental to our growth as he oversees the commercial strategy and launch of our Reveal rapid susceptibility testing instrument and associated disposables in Europe.”

“The team at Specific has created a product that will drastically change the way sepsis is treated in hospitals, and has the ability to save countless lives,” said Mr. Richard. “I am pleased to have joined the team at the inflection point of its commercial launch in Europe, and to help build a commercial organization focused on bringing this important diagnostic capability to patients across Europe and elsewhere in my region.”

Mr. Richard has a strong track record of success in the global diagnostics industry. As chief executive officer of i2a Mr. Richard oversaw the implementation of multiple go-to-market strategies, while at SCIEX he oriented the sales strategies with customer focus through the four core markets. At Iris Diagnostics, where Mr. Richard’s roles included Vice President of International Sales, he created the direct sales operation for continental Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) and distribution networks with 20 different partners through Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Mr. Richard will open Specific’s office in Paris.

About Specific

Specific Diagnostics has developed in vitro diagnostic systems based upon a unique, patented metabolomic signature technology that enables rapid detection and identification of microorganisms as they growth in culture. Its first commercial application applies this fundamental new platform to the rapid determination of antimicrobial susceptibility directly from positive blood cultures, as well as isolate dilutions. Specific is based in Mountain View, CA.

For press inquiries, please contact: press@specificdx.com

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