Dr Sophie Le Cam receives the 2026 IPFA Award
At its 32nd IPFA/PEI International Workshop in Bilbao, Spain the annual IPFA Award was presented by Stuart Chesneau, IPFA President.
The 2025 IPFA Award was presented to Dr. Sophie Le Cam Deputy General Manager at the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
With this award, IPFA wishes to recognise her outstanding contribution to the advancement of plasma collection in the public sector combined with a high safety of blood and plasma products.
Sophie Le Cam is a major contributor in the most ambitious plasma initiative to date to improve collection of plasma in France and has been instrumental in both planning and implementation of this plan. In addition, her research spans transfusion-transmitted infections, donor screening, and pathogen surveillance and she has contributed to advancing strategies to ensure the ongoing safety of blood transfusions in France and across Europe.
About Sophie Le Cam
A Doctor of Pharmacy and graduate of the Université Lyon I in medical biology, Dr. Le Cam began her career as a medical biologist in a private medical laboratory. She joined the Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) in 2013, initially as Director of the biological qualification laboratory for donations in the Grand Ouest region, before being appointed national head of biological qualification in 2019 and Deputy Director General in 2021, in charge of the blood and plasma supply chain.
As Deputy Director General, Dr. Le Cam is a major contributor figure in France’s most ambitious plasma initiative to date aiming an increase of more than 60% between 2024 and 2028 — driven by the imperative to move from roughly 35% to 50% self-sufficiency in immunoglobulins. Reaching this target demands a deep structural transformation: expanding apheresis capacity, opening new donation centres, and recruiting health care professionals. The programme also aims to switch from blood to plasma donation, increase the donations per donor and recruit new plasma donors.
Throughout this transformation, Dr. Le Cam within the management team of the EFS, and supported by voluntary blood donor associations and the French authorities, has championed expansion while upholding the ethical foundations that distinguish the French model.
With over 55 publications to her name, her research spans transfusion-transmitted infections, donor screening, and pathogen surveillance. She is also a recognised voice at the international level, having led efforts to advance combined screening strategies to ensure the ongoing safety of blood transfusions across Europe.
Through her dedication to science, patient safety, and public health, Dr. Le Cam has made an enduring contribution to plasma collection and safety of transfusion medicine, both in France and across Europe.
About the IPFA award
With this Award, IPFA recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of plasma collection, plasma fractionation, the manufacturing and provision of plasma derived medicinal products, patient care, safety and transfusion medicine.
The IPFA award has been granted since 2018. For previous award winners, see our website.