Françoise Lasne, who had previously been acting as temporary director of the Chatenay-Malabry anti-doping laboratory in Paris, has been officially appointed to the role by the French anti-doping agency (AFLD).
The French scientist took over the position when the previous director Jacques de Ceaurriz died in January. Together, the two of them had developed the test for EPO in 2000, leading to advancements in the fight for clean sport.
The laboratory is the only one with WADA-accreditation in France, and was previously used to test samples during the Tour de France and other races. However this season a dispute between the UCI and the AFLD saw testing done elsewhere.
The AFLD and Chatenay-Malabry worked together in 2008 to bring in the test for CERA, which led to a number of big-name positives including Riccardo Riccò, Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl.
The AFLD is seeking to build a better relationship with the UCI, thus increasing the possibility that the Chatenay-Malabry could once again play a bigger role in pro cycling.