STORM Therapeutics appoints CEO and Chairman
STORM Therapeutics, the drug discovery company focused on the discovery of small molecule therapies from RNA epigenetics, moved to the next stage of its development with the appointment of Keith Blundy as Chief Executive Officer and Tim Edwards as Chairman.
Keith, formerly CEO of Cancer Research Technology, brings his extensive knowledge of developing and partnering early stage cancer programmes. In ten years as CEO at CRT, Keith was also involved in founding many start-up companies, including Chroma Therapeutics, Piramed, KuDos and Mission, as well as establishing the CRT Pioneer Fund and the CRUK-MedImmune alliance.
Serial entrepreneur Tim Edwards, previously Executive Chair of Atopix Therapeutics Limited, acquired by Chiesi Farmaceutici SPA in 2016, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Cellzome Inc, acquired by GlaxoSmithKline plc in 2012, adds his wealth of experience in managing growth to a seasoned board comprising investor directors from Cambridge Innovation Capital, Merck Ventures, Pfizer Venture Investments and Touchstone Innovations.
STORM’s R&D activities are driven by a drug discovery team with extensive biotech and pharma experience headed by VP of R&D, Oliver Rausch (ex Cellzome, UCB and GSK), Head of Biology, David Simmons (ex Cellzome, Celltech, Wyeth), and now strengthened by the appointment of VP of Chemistry, Wesley Blackaby (ex Charles River and MSD).
STORM’s vision is to pioneer the development of novel therapies from RNA epigenetics based on the insights of its founding scientists, Professor Tony Kouzarides and Professor Eric Miska of the University of Cambridge, who are leaders in understanding the role of RNA modifications in cellular biology.
Keith Blundy said: “With the continuing pipeline of world-class science from our founding scientists working in collaboration with STORM researchers, strong and experienced management now in place and long-term financial support from experienced investors, I am excited about the prospect of building a world-leading biotech company. We are now poised to deliver this goal – through strong relationships with academia and industry we aim to explore thoroughly the potential of this emerging field to deliver breakthrough medicines for patients.”