Dr Olusola Idowu, PhD
Scientist, entrepreneur and technology leader.
Founder and CEO of HexisLab, applying AI and computational biology to biotechnology, cosmetics and pharmaceutical research. Applied mathematician by training, with a career spanning drug discovery, technology commercialisation and innovation policy.
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK | sola@hexislab.com
Profile
Background
Dr Olusola Idowu is a quantitative technology and biotechnology entrepreneur, scientist and mathematician. His career spans business advisory and audit at Arthur Andersen, management accounting with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, and a research career developed through Cambridge, Newcastle and Stanford University, culminating in a PhD in Applied Mathematics.
He is Founder and CEO of HexisLab, an AI and computational-biology company based at Newcastle Helix, combining AI, computational biology and experimental research to develop technologies and products for cosmetics, personal care, wellness and pharmaceutical applications. He previously held founding-team and technical leadership roles at e-Therapeutics plc (now Tangram Therapeutics), a Newcastle University biotechnology spin-out that listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2007.
He works at the intersection of technology, intellectual property, scientific risk and commercialisation, and communicates complex technical material clearly to both specialist and general audiences.
Experience
Selected roles
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
HexisLab | 2013 to present | Newcastle, UK
Leads an AI and computational-biology company developing technologies, ingredients and products for cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceutical applications. Developed HexisPro.X, a proprietary AI discovery platform. Secured more than £1.2 million in Innovate UK and UKRI-backed funding across multiple research programmes, and built research collaborations with universities and industrial biotechnology partners.
Founder
Layla & Kays | 2024 to present
Founded a science-led haircare brand for textured hair, built on genomic hair research and proprietary formulation science. Awarded Silver at the Pure Beauty Awards UK 2024.
Programme Manager and Technical Lead, Drug Discovery R&D
e-Therapeutics plc (now Tangram Therapeutics) | 2004 to 2013 | Newcastle, UK
Founding-team member at a Newcastle University spin-out applying complex-systems and network-based approaches to drug discovery and repositioning. Contributed to the identification of seven repositioned drug candidates across multiple patent families. The company listed on AIM in November 2007.
Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Fellow
Newcastle University; Stanford University and NASA Ames Research Center | 2000 to 2005
Computational modelling of complex systems, applying mathematical methods to gas-flow dynamics and biological systems, and developing approaches that later informed drug discovery and AI-driven research.
Early career
Arthur Andersen, 1992 to 1994 | Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, 1994 to 1995
Business consulting, advisory services and audit at Arthur Andersen, followed by management accounting within a major energy-sector organisation.
Education
Education
PhD, Applied Mathematics
Newcastle University, 1997 to 2000
Mathematics Tripos, Part III
University of Cambridge, 1996 to 1997
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Stanford University and NASA Ames Research Center, 2000 to 2002
BSc, Mathematics
Lagos State University, 1987 to 1991
Recognition
Awards
Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Leader
HexisLab, North America Ingredients and Formulation Discovery, 2022
Pure Beauty Awards UK 2024, Silver
Layla & Kays
Entrepreneurs’ Forum 2024 Entrepreneurial Awards
Finalist, One to Watch
British Technology Awards
Nominee, AI Champion of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year
Public engagement
Policy, boards and media
House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Gave oral evidence at the Innovation Showcase, February 2025. Watch
House of Lords
Contributor to a parliamentary roundtable on Afro-textured hair and inclusive beauty research.
Emmanuel Schools Foundation
Board of Directors, 2025 to present.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Trust Governor, 2008 to 2010.
BBC Radio 4, You and Yours
On sun damage and UV exposure, August 2020.
North East Times
Founder profile. Read the interview
TechRound
Startup of the Week. Read more
Google Scholar
Publications and citations
Track record
By the numbers
£1.2m+
Innovate UK and UKRI-backed innovation funding secured across multiple technology programmes.
7
Repositioned drug candidates identified at e-Therapeutics plc (now Tangram Therapeutics), with lead candidates entering clinical trials.
6
International patent families on which he is a named inventor.
12
Peer-reviewed scientific publications on skin, hair and ageing biology.
Speaking
What I speak about
Available for keynotes, panels, conference presentations and expert commentary. Recent audiences include parliamentary committees, international summits and industry conferences.
AI and innovation in biotechnology
How computational discovery and AI are changing research economics in drug discovery and product development, and what genuinely works versus what is marketing.
Inclusive science and the research gap
Why decades of dermatology and consumer research underserved most of the world’s skin and hair, and what closing that gap requires.
Building a science company
From university spin-out to AIM listing to founding a venture: technology commercialisation, innovation funding and scientific leadership.
Get in touch
Let's talk
For speaking invitations, conference and event presentations, advisory work, media enquiries or research collaboration.