RE: MEDICXI7 Mar 2024 13:03
Levicept Appoints Eliot Forster as CEO
Leadership Team Strengthened as Clinical Development of LEVI-04 a Novel
Neurotrophin Modulator for Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain Advances
Sandwich, UK – 30 November 2023 – Levicept Ltd, a biotechnology company focused on the
development of LEVI-04, a first-in-class treatment for chronic pain indications, today announces the
appointment of Eliot Forster as CEO. Founder and inventor of LEVI-04, Simon Westbrook, is to take
the role of CSO.
Eliot brings more than thirty years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, with
considerable experience in deal making and finance. His appointment strengthens the Levicept
leadership team as the company matures through clinical development of LEVI-04 towards the future
advancement and its ultimate commercialisation.
LEVI-04 modulates the neurotrophin pathway, that is clinically proven to provide effective analgesia
in a range of indications and is designed to minimise use-limiting side effects of anti-NGF antibodies,
including rapid progression of osteoarthritis. Having successfully completed a phase I trial in 2021,
Levicept is advancing LEVI-04, a proprietary p75 neurotrophin receptor fusion protein (p75NTR-Fc), a
once-a-month injectable for the treatment of osteoarthritis and chronic pain, through a 500+ patient
phase II clinical trial.
Eliot was most recently CEO of F-star (NASDAQ:FSTX), a clinical-stage, NASDAQ-listed biotech that was
acquired by inovX Pharma limited in March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of Immunocore
(NASDAQ:IMCR), and previously led the clinical development of several pain medicines, including the
COX-2 inhibitors. His early career was at GSK and Pfizer. Alongside his role at Levicept, currently he
serves on the Boards of Tessellate BIO, Avacta Group (AIM:AVCT), Ochre Bio, Protalix Biotherapeutics
(AMEX:PLX), and Immatics NV (NASDAQ:IMTX).
Eliot Forster, CEO of Levicept, said, “The safe and effective management of chronic pain remains a
critical need in medicine. While existing treatments can be effective their use is often limited by
adverse effects, addiction-liabilities, or poor pain control. LEVI-04 has the potential to effectively
target the clinically proven neurotrophin pain pathways, but with a superior safety profile. I very much
look forward to working with Simon and his team to advance this important programme to its
completion.”
Kevin Johnson, Chairman of Levicept and Partner at investor Medicxi said, “As a highly focused single
asset company, Levicept has made excellent progress with LEVI-04 though phase I and ongoing phase
II studies. With data to date looking very promising, I am delighted to welcome Eliot to the company
at an important time for the company, to work with Simon and the team to help steer the best path
for the further development of LEVI-04.
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