Dr Irene François is Director of Research and Development at Rademacher Group Ltd, a small biopharmaceutical company based in Oxford. She obtained her BSc and her Doctorate for research on specific enzyme inhibitors of dihydrofolate biosynthesis. She joined Beecham's Research Division (latterly SmithKline Beecham) in 1972 where she continued her interest in mechanism-based enzyme inhibitors. Her major involvement has been in the field of beta-lactamase inhibitors. Dr. François held senior management positions at SmithKline Beecham and then was the Director of Chemistry and DMPK at Celltech Therapeutics before moving to her current position.