News & Events

Naobios is first and foremost a human adventure dedicated to the advancement of human health. Our newest series of articles and profiles aim at reflecting the diversity of collaborators making up our company.
Meet our experts and delve into their work and missions through authentic stories.

Following the story of Séverine LEROY (Project Manager), we sat with Ysaline ROLAND, Production Manager, as she discussed her position and her specific point of view working for Naobios.
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>> Good morning Ysaline, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

My name is Ysaline Roland, I am 36, married and a mother of two. I currently hold the position of Head of manufacturing operations for viral vaccine clinical lots at Naobios.

>> What is your professional background?

In 2007, I graduated from the ENSTBB bioengineer school (Bordeaux, FRANCE).
Freshly graduated, I started working in the Paris area as a research engineer at the Molecular Genetics Center located in the CNRS[1] branch of Gif-sur-Yvette (Essonne, FRANCE).
For two years, I worked on a European program centred around the expression and purification of recombinant protein complexes involved in mRNA transcription. This position brought valuable technical experience in biomolecule purification while allowing me to discover the world of academia and to work with European academic and private entities.
In 2009, I decided to settle in the Nantes area: there, I discovered the world of production and the private sector as I joined Naobios – a company then called Vivalis and which subsequently became Valneva and BE Vaccines during the 2010-2020 decade. My experience as a biomolecular purification specialist and my appetite for the industrial sector led me to the production team which I joined as an engineer. My initial mission statement emphasizes on the establishment and management of purification activities of viral vaccines and recombinant proteins intended for humans, at 20L, 100L and 200L scales.
Through acute relational skills and rich operational background, I then moved in 2015 to the position of Head of development activities of downstream processes (DSP). In 2019 and up until this very day, I have had the opportunity to come back to my first interests (relating to manufacturing) as Head of clinical lot production of viral vaccines and vectors intended for humans at Naobios.

>> More specifically, what are your day-to-day missions? Your typical working day?

My missions are to integrate, plan, coordinate and execute production activities relating to clinical lots of viral vaccines and vectors while meeting technical, deadline and cost requirements of sponsors. I also make sure that manufacturing operations meet compliance standards relating to Good Manufacturing Practises (GMP).
These missions are achieved through diverse tasks, which include business discussions with prospects and future customers to establish the initial technical trust and project feasibility within Naobios’ facility. They also include identification of resources to carry out projects, operation planningin relation with other supporting departments taking part in manufacturing, and reporting of completed operations.
My manager role also implies guidance of operation teams, division of tasks and objectives, performance evaluation and development of collaborators’ skills.
In that respect, I do not have a typical working day. On the contrary, no two days are ever the same.

>> As of today, what is your favourite part of working this position and what do you especially like regarding your work environment at Naobios?

My position requires a strong adaptation capacity, responsiveness, and constant optimism! Routine is not part of what I do. Each day comes with new challenges to overcome. My experience as production manager is relatively short (a bit more than 3 years) and even shorter as an employee of a CDMO. Knowing that I still have many things to discover, to set up and to bring as part of the adventure that is Naobios is a motivational goal!
And what I like about working at Naobios? The warmth, friendliness and close human interactions! My role implies spontaneous synergies with all departments of the company. While ensuring team cohesion around common objectives proves demanding, success and collective achievement are the sources of my motivation and a driving force throughout!

>> Your favourite saying at work?

« Success belongs to everyone. Teamwork is to thank for it. »
« Alone we go faster, together we go further »

>> To conclude, outside of work, what are your hobbies?

My main hobbies are music (saxophone and accordion practise) and badminton. Considering that I do not like to do things lightly, I became co-president of the badminton club two years ago! There, I found a balance to my day-to-day life.

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Ysaline’s story made you wish to know more about our production activities? Visit our dedicated webpages:

• GMP Biomanufacturing > Cells and virus banking,
• GMP Biomanufacturing > Investigational product manufacturing.

[1] National Center for Scientific Research