Oxford Nanopore Appoints Francis Van Parys as CEO

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (LSE: ONT) announced the appointment of Francis Van Parys as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2, 2026.

Van Parys succeeds Gordon Sanghera, who led the company since 2005 and will remain in an advisory role through early 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.

The change in leadership comes as Oxford Nanopore seeks to build on its strong foundations in nanopore-based molecular sensing technology and expand its global reach.

Van Parys brings over 20 years of experience in the life sciences industry, most recently as President and CEO of Radiometer, a Danaher Corporation subsidiary.

His previous roles at Cytiva and GE Healthcare involved scaling innovation-driven organizations, a key factor in his selection as Oxford Nanopore's next leader. The markets are likely to view this appointment as a strategic move to accelerate commercial growth and operational efficiency.

Duncan Tatton-Brown, Chair of Oxford Nanopore, emphasized Van Parys' proven ability to scale innovation-driven businesses and his deep regulatory expertise as critical assets for the company's next phase. The board anticipates working closely with him to build on the company's strong innovation foundation.

Sanghera’s departure marks the end of an era. He guided Oxford Nanopore from its inception to a publicly listed company that created a new category of multi-omic analysis. His contribution is recognized and celebrated by the board.

Van Parys' appointment is expected to influence Oxford Nanopore's strategy, potentially focusing on expanding its commercial footprint and enhancing its operational capabilities.

CEO Gordon Sanghera stated, “I'm confident Francis will build on the strong foundations of innovation and growth to lead Oxford Nanopore to even greater success,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and growth.