Yves Lévy (born 1 August 1957) is a French physician researcher and professor of clinical immunology who was CEO of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) from 2014 until 2018.
Early life and education Lévy was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and arrived in France with his parents in 1973. He was naturalised one and a half years later. His passion was literature, before he turned to medicine. After studying medicine and finishing his residency he dedicated himself to HIV research in 1986.Yves Lévy, patron de l’Inserm Le Monde 26.06.2014, retrieved 16 June 2018
Career From 1985 Lévy worked in different research units at Inserm, the French Institute of Health and Medical Research. From 1996 to the present he has directed the Department of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Henri Mondor de Créteil Hospital. Lévy became a professor of clinical immunology, specializing on immunotherapies and vaccines for HIV infection, immunodeficiencies and infectious diseases.INSERM Yves Lévy, new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Inserm Press release, 11 June 2014, retrieved 16 June 2018
In 2006, Lévy became scientific director of the vaccine programme of the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS).Yves Lévy Vaccine Research Institute, 2016, retrieved 16 June 2018
From 2010 to 2012, Lévy was vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC). In 2011, he created the Vaccine Research Institute laboratory of excellence under the Investissement d’Avenir (Investment for the Future) programme and has been its executive director. In 2012, he became a special advisor to the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Geneviève Fioraso.Paul Benkimoun (June 20, 2014), Yves Lévy, patron de l’Inserm Le Monde.
In June 2014, after 29 years of working at INSERM, Lévy was appointed its CEO by ministers Marisol Touraine and Fioraso.Paul Benkimoun (June 20, 2014), Yves Lévy, patron de l’Inserm Le Monde. During confirmation hearings, a conflict of interest was brought up for the first time, because his wife had been appointed by Emmanuel Macron as the minister of health in May 2017. Although his term expired June 11, 2018 and in spite of public controversy he remained the interim head.Eric Favereau Yves Lévy reconduit par intérim à la tête de l'Inserm Liberation, 12 June 2018, retrieved 16 June 2018Isabelle Barré, Le mari de la ministre embarrasse l'Elysée], Le Canard enchaîné 9 May 2018, p. 3, retrieved 16 June 2018 accessible as clip here As of mid June 2018 he was expected to run again.France may be back, but the old ways persist for INSERM. The Lancet, Volume 391, Issue 10138, p 2390, retrieved 16 June 2018. but on 30 July 2018 he withdrew his candidacy .
On October 11, 2018, the Minister of Justice Nicole Belloubet appointed Lévy as "advisor of state in extraordinary service". In May 2019, during a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo , Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs appointed him as his special envoy on the Kivu Ebola epidemic.Épidémie du virus Ebola – Nomination d’un envoyé spécial (16 juillet 2019) Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, press release of July 16, 2019.La France nomme un « envoyé spécial » pour la lutte contre l’Ebola en RDC Le Monde, July 17, 2019.
Personal life Since 1997, Lévy has been married to French hematologist and former French health minister Agnès Buzyn. They have one child together.
Service Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Member of the scientific advisory boardScientific Advisory Board Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). DIM 1health, Member of the board of directorsBoard of Directors DIM 1health. International AIDS Society (IAS), Member of the Industry Collaboration GroupIndustry Collaboration Group International AIDS Society (IAS). World Health Summit, Member of the CouncilCouncil World Health Summit. French Foundation for Rare Diseases, Ex-Officio Member of the board of directors (2014–2019)Board of Directors French Foundation for Rare Diseases. French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health (Aviesan), Ex-Officio Chair of the Executive Board (2014–2019)Objectives and Missions French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health (Aviesan). Institut Curie, Ex-Officio Member of the supervisory board (2014–2018)Governance Institut Curie.
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