# Samir Ounzain

> Samir Ounzain is an Algerian-British molecular biologist and the co-founder and CEO of HAYA Therapeutics. Born in Koléa and educated in the United Kingdom, he moved to Lausanne in 2011, built a research career studying non-coding RNA, and co-founded HAYA with Daniel Blessing in 2019. His public reflections focus on scientific curiosity, evidence and the transition from researcher to leader of a company operating in Switzerland and the United States.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at HAYA Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** HAYA Therapeutics, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne, University College London, Imperial College London
- **From:** Koléa, Algeria
- **Nationality:** Algerian-British
- **Education:** BSc in Biochemistry with Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, PhD; described as Molecular Biology on his personal profile, University of Leicester
- **Known for:** Co-founded HAYA Therapeutics and built operations in Switzerland and the United States., Joint inaugural winner of the Andreas & Thomas Strüngmann Award in 2024, with Daniel Blessing., Led HAYA through its $65 million Series A announced in May 2025.

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Born in Koléa, Algeria.
- **1986** — Moved with his family from Algeria to the United Kingdom.
- **1993** — A cinema visit to Jurassic Park with his mother sparked his interest in molecular biology.
- **2001** — Finished William de Ferrers School in Essex and began undergraduate studies at the University of Leeds.
- **2011** — Moved to Lausanne for postdoctoral research at the University of Lausanne and CHUV.
- **2019** — HAYA Therapeutics was formally founded; Daniel Blessing is his co-founder.
- **2022** — HAYA established a US presence at JLABS in San Diego.
- **2024** — Shared the inaugural Andreas & Thomas Strüngmann Award with Daniel Blessing.
- **2025** — HAYA announced a $65 million Series A financing round on May 8.
- **2026** — Named among In Vivo’s Rising Leaders; discussed his transition from scientific executor to organizational enabler on The Emerging Biotech Leader.

## Achievements

- Co-founded HAYA Therapeutics and built operations in Switzerland and the United States.
- Joint inaugural winner of the Andreas & Thomas Strüngmann Award in 2024, with Daniel Blessing.
- Led HAYA through its $65 million Series A announced in May 2025.
- Recognized among In Vivo’s 2026 Rising Leaders.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Featured on The Emerging Biotech Leader in “When the Science Becomes a Company,” discussing how the founder’s role evolves as a team grows.
- **2026-04** — HAYA announced his inclusion among In Vivo’s 2026 Rising Leaders on April 14.
- **2025-06** — HAYA moved its San Diego operations to Lilly Gateway Labs.
- **2025-05** — HAYA announced $65 million in Series A financing, co-led by Sofinnova Partners and Earlybird Venture Capital.

## Links

- Website: https://about.me/ounzainsamir
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirounzain/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/ispiyou

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/samir-ounzain
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-13