John O'Brien

Chief Business Officer | Scaling CRO & Life Sciences Platforms | Growth Strategy, M&A & Global Expansion

Greater Paris Metropolitan Region

About

Throughout my career, I’ve helped CRO and life sciences businesses scale and create value through commercial growth, strategic transformation and international expansion, with a strong track record of delivering commercial results. As Chief Business Officer at P95, I have the opportunity to do what I enjoy most: shaping business strategy, leading international teams, building long-term partnerships and working at the crossroads of science, innovation and global health. My experience includes commercial due diligence, M&A and transaction processes, post-merger integration, go-to-market execution and the scaling of CRO platforms within growth-focused and private equity-backed environments. I’ve led brand positioning and launch initiatives, built and developed teams across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, and driven expansion into new markets, client segments and larger, more complex clinical programs. I’m passionate about working with biotech, pharma and nonprofit organisations supporting the development of new therapies and vaccines for underserved and global patient populations.

Experience

  • Chief Business Officer at P95
    Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Leading global commercial strategy focused on driving growth and international expansion, including commercial transformation initiatives, M&A, brand and market development and building strategic partnerships across the vaccine and infectious disease research ecosystem. P95 is a leading global provider of clinical and epidemiology research solutions with a specialty focus on vaccines and infectious diseases. P95 has European headquarters with regional hubs in USA, Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia. We offer the full spectrum of phase I-III clinical research and RWE/epidemiology services including project management, study setup and initiation, clinical monitoring, medical monitoring and pharmacovigilance, data management, statistics, medical writing, sample management, and scientific and clinical development consulting.

  • Chief Commercial Officer at Excelya
    Jan 2022 - Feb 2024 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Led commercial strategy, strategic partnerships and commercial transformation initiatives, including due diligence and post-merger integration, driving international growth and expansion of CRO services across markets.

  • Global Head of Business Development at Cmed Clinical Services
    Mar 2019 - Dec 2021 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Led global business development and marketing, drove commercial growth and built strategic relationships across biotech and pharma partners, for both CRO services and technology groups.

  • Senior Director, Business Development at Chiltern
    Oct 2015 - Feb 2019 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Managed and expanded business development efforts, securing long-term partnerships and supported global clinical trial delivery with a focus on oncology research.

  • Senior Director Business Development at Theorem (now Chiltern)
    Dec 2011 - Oct 2015 · 3 yrs 11 mos