NERVIANO, Italy, 24 July 2025 — Accelera, a global leader in preclinical in vivo toxicology and contract research services, today announced the appointment of Dr. Silvia Guionaud, PhD, DECVP, as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Dr. Guionaud brings more than 25 years of experience in nonclinical safety assessment and toxicological pathology across major pharmaceutical organizations and biotechnology innovators. She has been guiding Accelera as a Non-Executive Director since May 2024. Her appointment as CEO leverages her in-depth understanding of the company’s operations and reflects a strategic move to strengthen Accelera’s scientific excellence and global standing as a trusted CRO partner.
Hugues Dolgos, Pharm.D., Chairman of the Board commented: “We are delighted to welcome Silvia as CEO. Her deep scientific expertise, international leadership experience, and strategic mindset make her uniquely qualified to lead Accelera into its next phase of innovation and global growth. Silvia’s vision aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the highest standards in preclinical research to our clients worldwide. As part of this next chapter, we remain firmly committed to investing in Accelera’s infrastructure to further enhance its capabilities and long-term competitiveness.”
Dr. Guionaud’s career includes leadership roles at AstraZeneca, Servier, MedImmune, Shire, Takeda Oncology, and Pfizer where she spearheaded strategic initiatives including the implementation of digital technologies. She has contributed to over 30 INDs and 4 NDA filings and is a recognized authority in the field of nonclinical safety sciences. As a former President of the European Society of Toxicological Pathology and chair of multi-organizational research groups like the Predictive Safety Testing Consortium, she has been at the forefront of regulatory science and scientific innovation in drug development.
Silvia Guionaud, newly appointed CEO, stated: “I am honored to take on this new role and to lead a company with such a strong reputation for scientific rigor and operational excellence. Accelera plays a critical role in helping our partners bring safe, effective therapies to patients. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and valued clients to further strengthen our capabilities, expand our global reach, and continue building trust through science.”
Accelera will continue to focus on delivering high-quality preclinical services, with an emphasis on toxicology, pharmacology, and regulatory support for small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, and advanced modalities.
