Oxford Nanopore names Francis Van Parys as CEO starting March 2026

Oxford Nanopore names Francis Van Parys as CEO, set to assume the role on 2 March 2026, steering the company toward its next phase of growth and global expansion.

Why This Leadership Change Matters

The appointment of Francis Van Parys marks a strategic transition for the company. With over two decades of experience leading major life-sciences firms, Van Parys brings deep operational know-how, international scale expertise and regulatory insight qualities that align with Oxford Nanopore’s ambition to expand its molecular-sensing technologies globally.

The outgoing CEO and co-founder, Gordon Sanghera, will step down from the board when Van Parys takes over but will remain with the company in an advisory capacity through early 2027 to support a smooth handover.

Francis Van Parys: Background and Expertise

• Van Parys currently serves as President and CEO of Radiometer, a global leader in acute-care diagnostics and part of Danaher Corporation. His prior leadership roles include senior positions at Cytiva and GE Healthcare, where he oversaw operations across Europe, Asia, and North America experiences that provided exposure to diverse regulatory environments and global market dynamics.
  
  
• The board highlighted his proven ability to scale innovation-driven organizations and manage complex global operations. These strengths position him to lead the next growth stage for the company’s nanopore-based sequencing platform and global commercialization efforts.

Van Parys commented that he is “excited to join Oxford Nanopore at such an important stage,” pointing to the company’s differentiated sensing platform, growing global customer base and “substantial market opportunity ahead.”

What It Means for Oxford Nanopore & the Industry

• Accelerated Global Expansion: With Van Parys at the helm, Oxford Nanopore is better positioned to scale operations internationally, penetrate new markets, and handle regulatory complexity across regions.
• Focus on Commercialization & Growth: The leadership change signals a shift from startup-founder led growth toward scaling and commercial maturity — likely prioritizing operational excellence, revenue growth, partnerships, and market adoption.
• Sustained Innovation with Stability: Retaining the founder as an advisor during transition provides continuity, while new leadership brings fresh perspective and experience balancing innovation and operational discipline.
• Enhanced Confidence for Investors & Stakeholders: Bringing a seasoned life-sciences veteran to the CEO role may boost investor confidence, especially as the company works toward expanding its sequencing business, commercial offerings, and global reach.

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