TRIMTECH Therapeutics, a biotech company creating novel, small molecule therapeutics that selectively degrade protein aggregates to combat neurodegenerative diseases has formed a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
Alessio Ciulli (pictured) and Adam Gilbert have been appointed as Chair and member of the SAB, respectively. The newly formed SAB will support development of TRIMTECH’s targeted protein degradation (TPD) TRIMTAC and TRIMGLUE platform, and progression of its small molecule therapeutic pipeline for neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.
Ciulli is Chair of Chemical and Structural Biology and Founder and Director of the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD) at the University of Dundee and has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the UK’s national scientific academy. As Chair of the board, his extensive experience in developing established and novel TPD mechanisms will support the advancement of the company’s degrader platform, discovery screening technologies and progression of its target portfolio in neurology and inflammation.
Gilbert has over 30 years of experience in pharma, including his previous position as Executive Director and External Accelerator Lead, and Executive Director of Design and Synthesis Sciences, at Pfizer. He is currently a scientific advisor to Axiom Therapeutics, PhoreMost and Gero.AI. His focus as a member of the board will be to advise on the development and applications of the company’s TRIMTAC and TRIMGLUE platform and the development of its degrader portfolio.
Dr Nicola Thompson, CEO, TRIMTECH Therapeutics, said: “Establishing a Scientific Advisory Board is a pivotal step for us as a young company, and we’re absolutely delighted to have Alessio and Adam, both globally recognised experts in the development of targeted protein degraders, join the company as advisors. Both will be instrumental in driving the development of our degrader platform and small molecule portfolio.
“Over 55 million people globally are affected by diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and millions more battling other neurodegenerative disorders. There is a clear and urgent need for novel, cost-effective disease-modifying treatments that can reach these broad patient populations.”
Ciulli commented: “Targeted protein degradation has proven its therapeutic benefits against conventional drug targets, but the development of degraders that are truly selective for protein aggregates has remained challenging. TRIMTECH’s platform offers a new and incredibly promising approach, uniquely positioned to develop small molecule drugs for hard-to-treat targets that underpin many neurological diseases. I look forward to being part of the company’s journey.”
Gilbert added: “TRIMTECH’s approach to TPD is backed by almost two decades of academic research, and has the potential to address a real gap in the field by specifically targeting aggregated proteins. The company’s recent seed funding round and impressive investor cohort are further testament to the quality of the team and strength of the science. I am delighted to join the SAB and look forward to helping guide the development of therapeutics that will provide new treatment options that are so needed.”