London, UK – 19th October 2023. Actimed Therapeutics Ltd (“Actimed”), a UK based clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovation to the treatment of cancer cachexia and other muscle wasting disorders, today announces the appointment of Martin Walton as Chief Financial Officer.
Since 2009, Martin has been an active Venture Capital and Private Equity investor, portfolio manager, and advisor in life sciences working with several of the largest investors in the sector. He has held a number of executive positions (Executive Chairman, CEO, CFO), completing transactions with over 25 companies (spinouts, financing rounds, M&A, IPOs, licensing deals, divestitures and trade sales) and raising over £1bn in investment and co-investment capital. He is Chairman and CEO of Bradshaw Consulting Limited, a strategic advisory group assisting companies and shareholders in creating, generating and realising value from investments in the life sciences sector.
Robin Bhattacherjee, Actimed CEO, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to Actimed, who brings with him a set of highly complementary skills and extensive industry experience. This will be invaluable as we progress the business and ensure that Actimed is well financed to deliver on its ambitious plans and objectives.”
Originally CEO of Excalibur Fund Management, Martin is a co-founder of LSE-listed Arix Bioscience plc (LSE: ARIX), of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and of Excalibur Medicines Ltd. He is currently an investor / Director at Interrad Medical LLC, developer of the SecurAcath catheter securement device (now centrally purchased as the standard of care in the NHS), of AIM-listed Reneuron Plc (AIM: RENE), a UK-based leader in exosomes technologies, and of the Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator Partnership.
In addition, he has extensive Governance, Oversight, Audit Committee and Risk Committee experience as well as specific experience in start-up, growth strategies (organic and acquisition), financing, turnaround and consolidation strategies in the healthtech, biotech and medtech sectors.
Martin initially spent 25 years in global investment banking and asset management, in UK, USA and Europe, culminating in a position as Vice Chair responsible for Wholesale and Commercial Banking for Europe and Asia-Pacific at Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Martin Walton, Actimed CFO commented: “I am excited to be joining Actimed at this important point in the company’s journey to develop the first globally approved product for cancer cachexia. In particular, having gained Investigational New Drug (IND) approval for the Phase 2b/3 clinical study of S-pindolol benzoate (the “IMPACT” clinical trial programme) to treat cachexia, the Company will now move to the next stage of its development. Much work remains to be done, but I believe Actimed has the product, people and capabilities to deliver significant benefits to this under-served patient population and achieve substantial commercial success.”