Dr François Martelet has joined biomedical firm NetScientific as chief executive, effective from 8 June.

Sir Richard Sykes, who was executive chairman before Martelet’s appointment, will resume his role as non-executive chairman.

Martelet was most recently senior advisor to the chief executive and interim senior vice president at pharmaceutical company Stallergenes.

Before this, he was chief executive of US biotech firm Avax Technologies from 2007 until 2009.

Sykes said: “With his broad experience in both large and small companies, deep knowledge of commercialisation and his proven managerial capability, François will be a great asset to the business in growing its innovative technology portfolio.”