Board of Directors
Le Roy obtained a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from Queen’s University, Belfast and a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry at Ulster University (2002). After a period of post-doctoral research, he became Quality Assurance Officer for Ulster’s Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI). Le Roy set up the BMSRI Core Facility Units to support academic and commercial research, and since 2012 he has worked with colleagues to bring over £17.5m of research and innovation funding into the University and NI. In 2015 he was appointed Commercial Manager at C-TRIC (Clinical Translational Research Innovation Centre) where he worked closely with the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Ulster University, Derry City & Strabane District Council, North West Regional College, lnvestNI and local companies, to develop economic growth and supply bio-businesses with support and advice. Le Roy returned to Ulster as BMSRI’s Business Development Manager, managing the Core Facility Units and an expert team of Scientific Assistants/Officers.
Le Roy joined the GreenLight Team in June 2018 as Director of Corporate Development and is now Chief Executive Officer.
John is a biochemist by training and has over 30 years’ experience of pharmaceutical development gained in both multinational and early stage biotech companies. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Transcriptogen Ltd, an early stage company developing novel oncology compounds based on transcription factor inhibition. His career has covered a number of therapeutic areas, and has involved directing all relevant development functions from bench to late phase regulatory studies. After serving as Director of Planning for Shire Pharmaceuticals, John co-founded and was Chief Operating Officer of Hunter Fleming, a start-up company with an early stage portfolio derived from University research and focused on neuroprotection. After Hunter Fleming was acquired by Newron SpA, John joined Merrion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a drug delivery company based in Dublin, as Chief Development Officer and subsequently Chief Executive.
Having recently relocated back to the United Kingdom, John has kept an interest in supporting university spin-outs and translational research and has been involved in advising new companies in both UK and Ireland. He has been engaged for many years in non-executive roles in university technology transfer and SME Boards.
