Hayley French is CEO of Domainex Limited, a UK drug discovery CRO. She has over twenty five years’ experience in commercial and legal roles in the life sciences sector. Hayley was former Chief Executive Officer of Apitope Technology NV which was acquired by Worg Pharmaceuticals in September 2021.

Prior to joining Apitope, Dr French spent three years at Novartis, based at the Basel headquarters, where she worked closely on all global deals and collaborations in the respiratory division. Prior to Novartis, Dr French worked in the Life Sciences Group of Bird & Bird, London, specialising in advising pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Prior to joining Bird & Bird, she was Head of Commercial Legal Affairs at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR) in Salisbury, UK. Dr French started her career at University College London Ventures where she was responsible for the development, management and commercialisation of technologies in the life sciences sector. She is past president of LES Britain & Ireland, and a past board member of LESI.

Dr French has a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Liverpool, as well as a PhD in Microbiology and a M.Sc. in intellectual property from the University of London and is a certified licensing professional (CLP).

Hayley is also a venture partner for Vesalius Biocapital and chair of Octiocor Limited.