Ascot, UK – 05 April 2018. Actimed Therapeutics, the clinical stage company focused on bringing innovation to the treatment of cachexia, today announces the appointment of Dr David Ebsworth as Chairman of the Board.

David's career spans over 40 years in the global pharmaceutical industry, including Bayer AG where he became global head of the Pharmaceutical division following senior management roles in Germany, the US and Canada. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Glycosciences (OGS), a biotech company listed on the LSE and NASDAQ stock exchanges, which was acquired by Celltech plc (now part of UCB) in 2003. OGS was the world leader in proteomics, achieved the approval of Zavesca for Gaucher's disease, and was developing compounds for cancer.

David has served on a number of Boards within the pharma, biotech and venture capital sectors, in the UK, Germany, the US, Austria, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, and Japan. David has held chairmanships at Xention Ltd, Wilex AG and A&D Pharma Holdings NV. In 2009 David became CEO of Vifor Pharma AG, part of the Galenica Group, based in Switzerland. In 2012, David also became CEO and Chairman of Executive Committee of the Galenica Group, with responsibility for all three divisions of the company. David retired from Galenica in 2015. During David’s tenure at Galenica the market cap of the company increased from 2.4 billion CHF to 8 billion CHF.

At the end of 2014, David became Chairman of Verona Pharma PLC, and since then the company has raised significant additional capital and listed the company on the Nasdaq stock exchange in addition to its original AIM listing.

David will bring his deep strategic experience of the international biotech and pharmaceutical industry and fundraising to help Actimed through the clinical development of its lead product MT-102 (S-pindolol) for the treatment of cachexia. 

Gyn Parkin, CEO of Actimed Therapeutics, said:

“David’s invaluable experience as a leader in the industry will be critical in guiding us through the development and commercialisation of our products. Our lead compound, MT-102 (S-pindolol), has already demonstrated very promising efficacy data in a Phase IIa study and we have a clear development plan to bring this product to the many cachexia patients who currently have no approved treatment options.”

Dr Ebsworth commented “I am looking forward to bringing my experience to Actimed as it pursues the further development and subsequent commercialisation of its products in an area of significant unmet need. There are no current treatment options approved specifically for cancer cachexia, and I believe Actimed has the potential to provide the first such option”.