Dr. Sauvageau is an internationally-recognized researcher and clinician, with a research focus on the study of HSC biology and AML.

Dr. Sauvageau’s work has led to ground-breaking discoveries in HSC biology. His team identified the key role of the HOXB4 and Bmi1 genes in regulating HSC self-renewal. More recently, Dr. Sauvageau’s team, in collaboration with Anne Marinier’s group at IRIC, discovered the small molecule UM171 that promotes the expansion of human cord blood-derived HSCs ex vivo. This breakthrough led to the initiation in 2016 of a phase I/II clinical trial to assess the therapeutic benefits of UM171-expanded cord blood cell transplantation for the treatment of hematological diseases. Dr. Sauvageau is also the leader of the Leucegene project, which aims at improving AML subgroup characterisation and developing new prognostic tests and therapeutic strategies for AML. RNA sequencing and chemical screening of primary AML specimens from the Leucegene cohort led to the discovery of novel mutations and gene expression profiles for many AML subgroups, as well as to the identification of drugs selectively targeting AML subtypes. The Leucegene team also developed and validated a novel AML prognostic test that predicts resistance to current therapies.

Affiliations

Principal Investigator, Molecular Genetics of Stem Cells research unit, IRIC, QC, Canada

Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada

Bégin-Plouffe Chair in blood stem cell chemogenomics of the Faculty of Medicine of University of Montreal at Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer

Hematologist, Stem Cell Transplant Center, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, QC, Canada

Scientific Advisor, Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank, Canada

Scientific founder and CEO, ExCellThera, QC, Canada

Awards and honors

2021       Till and McCulloch Lectureship award, Cell Therapy Transplant Canada

2021        Bégin-Plouffe Chair in blood stem cell chemogenomics of the Faculty of Medicine of

……..         University of Montreal

2018        Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

2016         McCulloch Price – International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)

2015         Prix Léo Pariseau – Association francophone pour le savoir (ACFAS)

2014         Prix scientifique de l’année 2014 – Radio-Canada

2014         Personnalité scientifique de l’année 2014 – La Presse

2009        Till and McCulloch Award – Stem Cell Network of Canada

2008        Member of Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

2007        Stohlman Scholar Award – Leukemia Lymphoma Society (USA)

2006        Till and McCulloch Award – International Society of Hematology

2004        Canada Research Chair in Molecular Genetics of Stem Cells

2002         Marcel-Piché Award: Scientist of the year – IRCM