AN Edinburgh-based pharmaceutical company has appointed two experienced industry professionals to its board.
Nigel Brooksby and Dr Tim Corn have joined Neurocentrx as non-executive chairman and non-executive director, respectively, and will take the company to a global market.
Neurocentrx is currently developing new clinical indications and new forms of administration for oral ketamine.
They want to repurpose an approved human drug most commonly used as an anaesthetic, unlocking the potential to improve pain management and significantly impact how psychiatric conditions such as severe depression are
treated.
Currently, oral liquid ketamine formulations are useful to a minority of patients but it is difficult to control dose and effects are variable, whereas the use of intravenously administered ketamine is limited to a hospital setting.
New oral capsule formulations being developed by Neurocentrx will allow a broader range of patients to benefit through easier administration and more controlled pharmacokinetics outside of the hospital environment.
Life Sciences entrepreneur Brooksby brings significant experience in business and growth strategy across the healthcare sector. He has held senior global executive positions at Pfizer, Sanofi and Wellcome (now GSK).
Brooksby has also worked extensively in private equity and venture capital, and is a past president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
Over the course of the last five years he has worked with companies that have listed on both NASDAQ and AIM.
“Neurocentrx is working towards something very exciting, and this is a rare opportunity to deliver new solutions for a number of treatments that will benefit countless patients,” said Brooksby.
“My focus is to accelerate the business model and drive commercial clinical trials, to raise international awareness of what we are offering, and enter the global market.
“I look forward to working the team, and helping to drive the company to an exciting new stage in their development.”
Corn, formally chief medical officer at EUSA Pharma International and Zeneus Pharma Ltd, meanwhile, has played a key role in over 20 regulatory approvals in the US and Europe. He brings valuable experience of driving clinical trials to fruition, and will help Neurocentrx bring their innovation to the next level.
Neurocentrx was formed in 2013. CEO Carmel Reilly spotted the potential of ketamine during her time working with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, and founded Neurocentrx to develop a number of drug formats and clinical indications.
The company has received ongoing support from Equity Gap Ltd, Scottish Enterprise, and Carbon Life Ltd, to develop their commercial product.
“I am honoured to welcome the extraordinary experience and
talents of Nigel Brooksby and Tim Corn onto the board,” said Reilly.
“This is an important milestone
for Neurocentrx and marks the start of an exciting new phase of our growth. It is an absolute privilege
to work with two such well-
respected people, who share our vision for the future.”
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