Board and Executive changes at QBiotics Group
Brisbane, 16 November 2023
A strategic review for Board to guide the future growth and development of the Company is underway.
On 16 November, and as the first stage in implementing this critical process, Dr Sue Foden has accepted the position of Executive Chair to work closely with senior management and the Board to achieve a smooth transition at this stage in the Company’s growth.
On the same date, Dr Victoria Gordon has stepped down as CEO to take on a new role as Executive Director Strategic Alliances and Investor Relations. In this role Victoria will focus on delivering key strategic aims for the Company in relation to corporate alliances and partnering, clinical trial outcomes and engagement with key opinion leaders, analyst and investor relations. Victoria will maintain her position as an Executive Director on the Board.
The Board will immediately initiate a search for a new CEO to lead QBiotics in its continuing growth and development.
Mr Andrew Denver remains on the board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Following conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, Dr Steven Ogbourne will step down as an Executive Director after 6 years on the Board. Steven will continue in his executive role providing experienced leadership to the company’s preclinical development programme and translational research activities.
We look forward to updating you in the coming months on our progress to build and rejuvenate the Board and in identifying and appointing a new CEO at this important juncture in the Company.
QBiotics wishes to acknowledge the outstanding contribution that Victoria has made in founding, building and leading an extraordinary Australian company. Under her leadership, QBiotics has evolved with a vision and passion to make a positive impact on the world through its research and development of innovative pharmaceuticals for use in humans and companion animals. QBiotics has grown to become a leading life sciences company with world-class collaborators and partners.
The Board sincerely thanks Victoria for the invaluable contributions she has made in leading QBiotics to be the exceptional company it is today. She leaves the role of CEO and Managing Director of QBiotics with the Company in a strong position and with a remarkable legacy - with one marketed veterinary pharmaceutical, several human clinical trials making good progress and attracting the attention of international key clinical opinion leaders, a pipeline of other assets, and an exceptional company team. We look forward to continuing to work with her as she focusses on several key strategic objectives which are critical to underpinning the Company’s future success.
Dr Foden, Executive Chair commented, “It is an honour to be appointed as Executive Chair of QBiotics at this time of change and opportunity for the Company. I look forward to working with Victoria, the Board and the senior management team during this time of transition and change.
The Board thanks Andy for his time as Chairman and is pleased to retain his expertise on the Board and Audit and Risk Committee.
We also thank Steven Ogbourne for his valuable contributions as a Director and look forward to continuing to access his industry insights and expertise through his on-going executive role in the Company.”
Dr Gordon commented, “I am very much looking forward to working closely with Sue in this transition period for the Company and I am confident that we will enjoy strong support from our exceptional and dedicated staff at all levels who have been fundamental to the achievements of the Company”.
Appendix: biographical information
Biography: Dr Susan Foden
Dr. Sue Foden has a strong background in pharmaceutical drug development and commercialisation and more than 20 years of experience on the boards of small and medium-size public healthcare companies in the UK, Norway, Germany and Belgium. Recent board positions include Ventura Group plc as Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Executive Chair of Neurocentrx Pharma Ltd. Currently, Dr. Foden is, Non-Executive Chair of Evgen Pharma Plc, a non-executive director of Laverock Therapeutics Ltd, an Investment Committee member of CD3, the drug discovery initiative between the European Investment Fund and the University of Leuven and a trustee of the Roslin Foundation in Edinburgh.
FURTHER INFORMATION
EBRU DAVIDSON, GENERAL COUNSEL
ebru.davidson@qbiotics.com or
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
JANE LOWE, IR DEPARTMENT
jane.lowe@irdepartment.com.au +61 411 117 774
ABOUT QBIOTICS
QBiotics is an unlisted public Australian life sciences company that discovers and develops pharmaceuticals derived from nature to address unmet medical needs in humans and companion animals. Our current clinical focus is on novel treatments for cancer and debilitating chronic wounds.
QBiotics’ business model is to develop products that have applications in both veterinary and human markets. Success in the veterinary programme validates QBiotics technology and informs the early stages of human development, while having the potential to generate early revenue.
QBiotics’ lead oncology drug, tigilanol tiglate, is a small molecule targeting a range of solid tumours and is currently in human clinical Phase II development treating head and neck cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. A veterinary formulation of tigilanol tiglate is registered and marketed as an oncology pharmaceutical, under the trade name STELFONTA®, in the USA, Europe, the UK and Australia.
QBiotics’ lead wound healing drug candidate is a small molecule targeting a range of wounds including chronic and acute wounds and burns. Preparation is in progress for a first-in-human Phase I/IIa clinical trial in patients with venous leg ulcers.