Michael R. Hayden is an entrepreneur who founded 7 companies, including: Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corp. and 89bio, Inc. Presently, he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of Prilenia Therapeutics BV (which he founded in 2018), Scientific Director at Canadian Genetics Diseases Network, Venture Partner at Forbion Capital Partners Management Holding BV and Venture Advisor at Andera Partners SCA. Michael R. Hayden is also Director-Translational Laboratory at National University of Singapore, Professor at the University of British Columbia, Member of American Society of Clinical Investigation and Director & Program Director at Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine and on the board of 7 other companies.

In his past career he occupied the position of Chief Scientific Officer of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Independent Director at Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (he founded the company in 1996), Director at Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Director at Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutic.

Michael R. Hayden received an undergraduate degree and a doctorate from the University of Cape Town.