Quality Assistance: a new chapter in leadership and growth

Thuin, 22 November 2022 – On 1 January 2023, Philippe Draux passed the baton as Chief Executive Officer to his daughter, Nathalie Draux, formerly Chief Operating Officer. Philippe assumed the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, continuing to guide the company’s strategic development.

This transition marked a pivotal moment for Quality Assistance: we were celebrating our 40th anniversary and had launched MITOSE, a €20 million expansion project at our single site in Donstiennes (Thuin). This major investment doubled our operational capacity and created 100 highly skilled positions, reinforcing our position as a European leader in pharmaceutical analytical services.

Four decades of vision and expertise

Philippe Draux founded the company in 1982 under the name Pharmanal. In 1992, we relocated to Donstiennes and continued to grow steadily. By 2022, Quality Assistance employed 245 people and operated from the Thudinie Technoparc, centralising all analytical services required by EMA and FDA regulations for the development and commercialisation of innovative medicines for human use.

Nathalie Draux, also an industrial pharmacist, began her career more than 20 years ago within the family business. She held a variety of operational and strategic roles, including Chief Innovation Officer from 2013 and Chief Operating Officer since 2016.

A carefully prepared transition

Philippe Draux commented:
“Since joining the company, Nathalie has worked across laboratory teams, Quality Assurance, training, regulatory affairs, business development, and Strategy & Innovation. This hands-on experience, combined with management training at Vlerick Business School, enabled her to excel as COO since 2016. I am proud of her achievements and of passing on the entrepreneurial spirit we shared for more than 20 years. Entrusting her with the CEO role was a natural step. As Executive Chairman, I remain committed to supporting Quality Assistance’s growth projects and ensuring the successful implementation of our strategy.”

Our vision for the future

Nathalie Draux stated:
“The life of a company involves creation, growth, development and, ultimately, transmission. Beyond continuity, this stage represents the continuation of a deeply human story, especially in family-owned businesses. I am honoured to take over and write the next chapter of the story my father began—for him, for our team, for our shareholders, our clients and our partners.”

She added:
“This handover occurred in a global context marked by the war in Ukraine, inflation, digitalisation, and significant societal and climate challenges. These factors required us to rethink our benchmarks, adapt and innovate while staying on course. Our objective remains clear: to expand capacity and expertise to maintain our position as a European leader. Our foundations—strategic, financial, professional, and above all, human—are solid and proven, enabling me to approach the future with ambition and confidence.”

In recognition of their commitment to public health, Philippe and Nathalie Draux were honoured as Officers of Mérite Wallon by the Government that year. This distinction reflects our pride in leading a company driven by a clear vision:
A world where innovative medicines reach patients with uncompromising speed and quality.