Patrick Retif
Fractional CIO
Digital, Technology and AI, and Digital have never been so instrumental to business growth.
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As a Fractional CIO, Patrick has been instrumental in enabling IT readiness and scaling operations for pre-commercial biotech companies across the US, EU, and Asia. He has led IT strategies for product launches, spanning Commercial, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain, while integrating advanced security measures and leveraging AI to drive innovation and efficiency. Patrick’s tailored solutions have established him as a trusted advisor to emerging biotech firms.
Enabling IT - Driving Business Growth
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Life Sciences IT (Pre-commercial, Emerging to Large, US, and Global)
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Expertise in all Life Sciences business processes (Branded, Specialty, Generic, OCT, Medical Aesthetic, Cash, Devices, …)
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Enabled IT for more than 100 Product Launches Globally
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Led 50+ M&As and divestitures, driving harmonized business processes, organizations & solutions
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Delivered over a hundred life sciences commercial IT engagements
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Experience with IT Strategy and Execution, Transformation leadership, Driving bottom-line performance and Business Value
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Expertise in technology go-to-market for commercial platforms (CRM, BI, Analytics, AI, Digital Marketing, omnichannel, …)
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Expertise in enterprise technologies and services (ERP, QMS, serialization, contract management, compliance, Sox, security, audit, etc.)
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Knowledge in working with business & technology services, data, and software vendors across the Life Sciences industry
Life Sciences IT Expert
with a Get It Done Mentality
With over 30 years as a transformational CIO and senior executive in Life Sciences, Patrick Retif is a trusted advisor to businesses navigating the intersection of technology and growth. As the driving force behind Tailwinds Advisory, Patrick combines deep expertise in IT leadership, digital transformation, and business strategy with a passion for enabling innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Patrick’s career spans leadership roles at top global organizations, including serving as the Global Commercial CIO for Forest Lab, Actavis, and Allergan, where he led technology operations across 75 markets for 12,000+ users. He has successfully overseen 20+ M&A IT integrations, spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, and enabled IT readiness for multiple product launches.
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As a Fractional CIO, Patrick has been instrumental in preparing numerous pre-commercial biotech companies for growth and success, including Scynexis, Calliditas, Egetis, Syndax, and others. He specializes in aligning IT strategies to meet the demands of product launches, managing IT operations across Commercial, R&D, Supply Chain, and Infrastructure. With a focus on integrating advanced security protocols and harnessing AI-driven solutions, Patrick delivers tailored approaches that ensure operational efficiency and scalability for emerging biotech firms.
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Patrick also brings decades of experience in IT consulting, having held senior roles at PwC, IBM, and IQVIA. He has advised industry giants like Pfizer, Biogen, and J&J, providing strategic IT guidance and scaling operations to deliver impactful results. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding SRCI, a CRM software firm that grew to dominate the French market, and transforming Highpoint Solutions into a $200M consulting powerhouse.
At Tailwinds Advisory, Patrick delivers tailored IT advisory services that help businesses achieve seamless technology integration, unlock growth opportunities, and future-proof their operations. A champion of innovation, he specializes in leveraging AI and automation to simplify processes, enhance decision-making, and drive operational excellence.
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Patrick holds a Master of Computer Sciences from Ecole Informatique du Nord in Paris and is fluent in English and French. He serves as a board member for forward-thinking biotech companies and remains committed to helping organizations navigate today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.