NRG Therapeutics, a neuroscience company based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, has appointed Dr Paul Thompson as its new chief development officer. Thompson will lead development of NRG5051, an oral small molecule inhibitor targeting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), with potential applications in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), motor neuron disease (MND), and Parkinson’s disease.
Dr Thompson brings over 25 years of experience in translational research, early clinical development, and pharmaceutical R&D, with a focus on neurology. He most recently served as chief science officer at Mission Therapeutics for five years, overseeing the delivery of inhibitors for renal and central nervous system disorders. Prior to that, he was clinical science director at ONO Pharma UK, managing early-phase clinical development programmes. His earlier career was spent at GSK, where he progressed from laboratory biomarker research to director of neurology discovery medicine, leading global project teams.
He also advises the Michael J Fox Foundation on its Targets to Translation programmes and continues to provide guidance to UK neurology start-ups.
The appointment follows several other senior hires by NRG, supported by its £50m Series B financing, which has expanded the team to 12. The funding provides resources for a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept study of NRG5051 in ALS/MND, as well as a Phase 1b study generating clinical data in Parkinson’s patients.
Dr Thompson said: “I am looking forward to working with the NRG Therapeutics team to drive forward NRG5051 as potentially the first disease-modifying therapeutic for sporadic ALS/MND and dementia indications such as Parkinson’s.
“Developing new drugs to treat neurological diseases is very challenging, but I have been very encouraged by the compelling in vivo efficacy data for NRG5051 in rodent models of Parkinson’s and ALS/MND that has validated the molecules’ novel MoA and demonstrated the therapeutic potential of NRG5051.
“I was also excited to see NRG5051 results in reduction in neurofilament light chain, the clinically validated fluid biomarker of neurodegeneration.”
Neil Miller, co-founder and chief executive of NRG Therapeutics, added: “Paul is a fantastic addition to the team, and I welcome him into NRG.
“His skills and expertise will enable us to efficiently progress NRG5051 through first-in-human clinical trials and into a PoC in ALS/MND, and to lay the ground for development in other indications including Parkinson’s.
“He joins at a pivotal time as we seek to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of NRG’s first-in-class mPTP inhibitors as disease modifying medicines for neurodegenerative diseases.”
The appointment of Dr Thompson underscores NRG Therapeutics’ commitment to advancing its pipeline of neurology-focused treatments and highlights the role of experienced leadership in progressing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
