NovaGo Therapeutics, a development stage biotech company with a proprietary platform to stimulate blood vessel and nerve growth, today announced the appointment of Ian Metcalfe as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Schlieren, Switzerland, 21st September 2020 – NovaGo Therapeutics, a development stage biotech company with a proprietary platform to stimulate blood vessel and nerve growth, today announced the appointment of Ian Metcalfe as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Eduardo Vianna, who becomes Chief Development Officer.
Ian joins at a pivotal time in NovaGo’s development, as it prepares to move into clinical proof-of-concept studies. He will be instrumental in securing the next round of funding, to finance this transition to a clinical-stage company and enabling further development of NovaGo’s proprietary anti-Nogo-A antibody platform.
With over 20 years of business experience across various industries centred on biotech and healthcare, Ian brings new expertise to the Board and Management team. He has successfully delivered results across many business development and strategic initiatives, while building strong trusted relationships with investors. Ian has held roles of increasing responsibility at Berna Biotech, Roche, Nestlé, Nestlé Health Science, and Corlieve Therapeutics, working across the development value chain from preclinical research to late stage development, commercialization and partnering.
“Ian’s breadth and depth of business experience will be a perfect complement to the scientific expertise of NovaGo’s founding team,” said Dr Dominik Escher, Managing Partner at Pureos Bioventures and Board member of NovaGo. “The addition of his knowledge and capabilities enhances NovaGo’s ability to maximise its platform and bring new therapies to the clinic.”
Ian Metcalfe, CEO of NovaGo said, “This is a unique opportunity to build on the strong scientific foundations that the NovaGo team has already established, taking our lead programme in ophthalmology into clinical development. Subject to successful financing and pre-clinical development, our goal is to have an IND for our first anti-Nogo-A antibody in 2021.”
Prof Martin Schwab, Founder and President of NovaGo said, “I look forward to working with Ian and thank Eduardo Vianna for bringing NovaGo successfully to this point. I am delighted that Eduardo will continue with the company in the role of Chief Development Officer. Ian and Eduardo together constitute a very strong management team, with the complimentary skills to maximize the potential of our platform for the benefit of patients.”
About NovaGo Therapeutics
Founded in 2015 in Schlieren, Switzerland, NovaGo Therapeutics is a development stage biotech company focused on human antibody therapeutics targeting blood vessel growth, nerve growth, and regeneration. In March 2019 NovaGo successfully closed a Series A financing round of CHF 10 million (USD11 million) led by Pureos Bioventures and Neurimmune.
The founders, management, and advisors have a proven track record in research and drug development. Existing collaborations and networks with partners in industry, academia, and the medical community have enabled rapid advancement of the NovaGo programmes.
NovaGo’s proprietary human antibodies, discovered using Neurimmune’s Reverse Translational Medicine™ technology, have the potential to become a safe and effective treatment in ophthalmology and central nervous system indications. NovaGo’s proprietary antibodies block the function of Nogo-A, one of the most potent and well-studied vascular and nerve growth inhibitors.
In 2021 NovaGo is planning to initiate clinical development in patients with diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in adults. Future indications include cerebral stroke and spinal cord injury.
For further information please visit www.novagotherapeutics.com
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