Latest news with #Clackson
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kesmalea Therapeutics Appoints Industry Veteran Tim Clackson to Board of Directors
Dr. Clackson is former CEO of IDRx, acquired by GSK in 2025 for up to $1.15 billion Kesmalea's SELFTAC® platform is designed to solve the 'size problem' of large, bifunctional protein degraders by transforming them into small molecules SELFTAC® drug candidates are oral and CNS penetrant, combining powerful protein degradation with a rational small molecule design process LONDON, May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kesmalea Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large heterobifunctional protein degraders into small molecules, today announced the appointment of senior life sciences executive Dr. Tim Clackson to its Board of Directors. Dr. Clackson brings to Kesmalea more than three decades of experience building oncology companies, including leading the R&D behind three approved drugs. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Boston-based IDRx, Inc., a precision oncology therapy developer which was acquired by GSK in 2025 for up to $1.15 billion. "Kesmalea's science represents a highly innovative, modular and scalable solution to unlock the full potential of targeted protein degradation," said Dr. Clackson. "I look forward to working with their impressive team and the Board to help bring SELFTAC technology to the clinic and maximize its value." "Targeted protein degradation holds enormous promise for medicine, but its most prominent drug class, PROTACs, faces innate issues caused by molecular size and structure. As we work to solve these challenges with our unique approach, we're assembling a world-class team to bring our mission to life," said Clive Dix, Chairman of the Kesmalea Board. "We're delighted to welcome Tim to the Board - his impressive track record of discovering and developing high impact targeted therapies for a range of cancer types will be invaluable as we translate our drug discovery research into revolutionary new medicines." As IDRx CEO, Dr. Clackson led a team developing a best-in-class targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST), through clinical proof-of-concept, a Series B financing and the acquisition by GSK. Prior to IDRx, Dr. Clackson was President and CEO of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on development of targeted oncology therapies, where he led the Company through its initial public offering and early clinical development for its lead product candidate for GIST and other targeted therapies in its pipeline. Prior to Theseus, he served as President at Xilio Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company developing tumor-selective immunotherapies, where he led the development of the company's technology and product strategy. From 1994 to 2018, Dr. Clackson was with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, serving as President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer from 2010. He played a key role in the company's evolution from early research to a global commercial oncology company, and its subsequent acquisition by Takeda for $5.2 billion. Dr. Clackson led the multi-disciplinary R&D team that internally discovered and developed five clinical-stage product candidates, including ICLUSIG® (ponatinib), approved for patients with treatment-resistant Ph+ leukemias; ALUNBRIG® (brigatinib), approved for ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); and EXKIVITY™, approved for Exon20 insertion+ NSCLC. Dr. Clackson received his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech. He serves as a Director on the Board of Elevation Oncology and previously served as a Director on the Boards of Forma Therapeutics (acquired by Novo Nordisk), Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). About Kesmalea Therapeutics Kesmalea is developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large protein degraders into small molecules. This is achieved through SELFTAC®, a platform designed to combine the power of protein degradation with small molecule advantages such as oral bioavailability and central nervous system (CNS) penetration, among others. Kesmalea's current research spans targets in oncology and diseases of the CNS, with broader applicability. The company is built on foundational scientific work by founder & CSO Harry Finch, Ph.D., a noted medicinal chemist and entrepreneur. Kesmalea has offices and labs in London, UK. Kesmalea's £25m Series A was led by Syncona Ltd alongside Oxford Science Enterprises. For more information, please visit: View source version on Contacts Media:Tom DonovanLyrebird Consulting+44 7498 152764 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kesmalea Therapeutics Appoints Industry Veteran Tim Clackson to Board of Directors
Dr. Clackson is former CEO of IDRx, acquired by GSK in 2025 for up to $1.15 billion Kesmalea's SELFTAC® platform is designed to solve the 'size problem' of large, bifunctional protein degraders by transforming them into small molecules SELFTAC® drug candidates are oral and CNS penetrant, combining powerful protein degradation with a rational small molecule design process LONDON, May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kesmalea Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large heterobifunctional protein degraders into small molecules, today announced the appointment of senior life sciences executive Dr. Tim Clackson to its Board of Directors. Dr. Clackson brings to Kesmalea more than three decades of experience building oncology companies, including leading the R&D behind three approved drugs. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Boston-based IDRx, Inc., a precision oncology therapy developer which was acquired by GSK in 2025 for up to $1.15 billion. "Kesmalea's science represents a highly innovative, modular and scalable solution to unlock the full potential of targeted protein degradation," said Dr. Clackson. "I look forward to working with their impressive team and the Board to help bring SELFTAC technology to the clinic and maximize its value." "Targeted protein degradation holds enormous promise for medicine, but its most prominent drug class, PROTACs, faces innate issues caused by molecular size and structure. As we work to solve these challenges with our unique approach, we're assembling a world-class team to bring our mission to life," said Clive Dix, Chairman of the Kesmalea Board. "We're delighted to welcome Tim to the Board - his impressive track record of discovering and developing high impact targeted therapies for a range of cancer types will be invaluable as we translate our drug discovery research into revolutionary new medicines." As IDRx CEO, Dr. Clackson led a team developing a best-in-class targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST), through clinical proof-of-concept, a Series B financing and the acquisition by GSK. Prior to IDRx, Dr. Clackson was President and CEO of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on development of targeted oncology therapies, where he led the Company through its initial public offering and early clinical development for its lead product candidate for GIST and other targeted therapies in its pipeline. Prior to Theseus, he served as President at Xilio Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company developing tumor-selective immunotherapies, where he led the development of the company's technology and product strategy. From 1994 to 2018, Dr. Clackson was with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, serving as President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer from 2010. He played a key role in the company's evolution from early research to a global commercial oncology company, and its subsequent acquisition by Takeda for $5.2 billion. Dr. Clackson led the multi-disciplinary R&D team that internally discovered and developed five clinical-stage product candidates, including ICLUSIG® (ponatinib), approved for patients with treatment-resistant Ph+ leukemias; ALUNBRIG® (brigatinib), approved for ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); and EXKIVITY™, approved for Exon20 insertion+ NSCLC. Dr. Clackson received his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech. He serves as a Director on the Board of Elevation Oncology and previously served as a Director on the Boards of Forma Therapeutics (acquired by Novo Nordisk), Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). About Kesmalea Therapeutics Kesmalea is developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large protein degraders into small molecules. This is achieved through SELFTAC®, a platform designed to combine the power of protein degradation with small molecule advantages such as oral bioavailability and central nervous system (CNS) penetration, among others. Kesmalea's current research spans targets in oncology and diseases of the CNS, with broader applicability. The company is built on foundational scientific work by founder & CSO Harry Finch, Ph.D., a noted medicinal chemist and entrepreneur. Kesmalea has offices and labs in London, UK. Kesmalea's £25m Series A was led by Syncona Ltd alongside Oxford Science Enterprises. For more information, please visit: View source version on Contacts Media:Tom DonovanLyrebird Consulting+44 7498 152764 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Kesmalea Therapeutics Appoints Industry Veteran Tim Clackson to Board of Directors
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kesmalea Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large heterobifunctional protein degraders into small molecules, today announced the appointment of senior life sciences executive Dr. Tim Clackson to its Board of Directors. Dr. Clackson brings to Kesmalea more than three decades of experience building oncology companies, including leading the R&D behind three approved drugs. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Boston-based IDRx, Inc., a precision oncology therapy developer which was acquired by GSK in 2025 for up to $1.15 billion. 'Kesmalea's science represents a highly innovative, modular and scalable solution to unlock the full potential of targeted protein degradation,' said Dr. Clackson. Share 'Kesmalea's science represents a highly innovative, modular and scalable solution to unlock the full potential of targeted protein degradation,' said Dr. Clackson. 'I look forward to working with their impressive team and the Board to help bring SELFTAC technology to the clinic and maximize its value.' 'Targeted protein degradation holds enormous promise for medicine, but its most prominent drug class, PROTACs, faces innate issues caused by molecular size and structure. As we work to solve these challenges with our unique approach, we're assembling a world-class team to bring our mission to life," said Clive Dix, Chairman of the Kesmalea Board. "We're delighted to welcome Tim to the Board - his impressive track record of discovering and developing high impact targeted therapies for a range of cancer types will be invaluable as we translate our drug discovery research into revolutionary new medicines.' As IDRx CEO, Dr. Clackson led a team developing a best-in-class targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST), through clinical proof-of-concept, a Series B financing and the acquisition by GSK. Prior to IDRx, Dr. Clackson was President and CEO of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on development of targeted oncology therapies, where he led the Company through its initial public offering and early clinical development for its lead product candidate for GIST and other targeted therapies in its pipeline. Prior to Theseus, he served as President at Xilio Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company developing tumor-selective immunotherapies, where he led the development of the company's technology and product strategy. From 1994 to 2018, Dr. Clackson was with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, serving as President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer from 2010. He played a key role in the company's evolution from early research to a global commercial oncology company, and its subsequent acquisition by Takeda for $5.2 billion. Dr. Clackson led the multi-disciplinary R&D team that internally discovered and developed five clinical-stage product candidates, including ICLUSIG ® (ponatinib), approved for patients with treatment-resistant Ph+ leukemias; ALUNBRIG ® (brigatinib), approved for ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); and EXKIVITY™, approved for Exon20 insertion+ NSCLC. Dr. Clackson received his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech. He serves as a Director on the Board of Elevation Oncology and previously served as a Director on the Boards of Forma Therapeutics (acquired by Novo Nordisk), Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). About Kesmalea Therapeutics Kesmalea is developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics founded on the ability to transform large protein degraders into small molecules. This is achieved through SELFTAC ®, a platform designed to combine the power of protein degradation with small molecule advantages such as oral bioavailability and central nervous system (CNS) penetration, among others. Kesmalea's current research spans targets in oncology and diseases of the CNS, with broader applicability. The company is built on foundational scientific work by founder & CSO Harry Finch, Ph.D., a noted medicinal chemist and entrepreneur. Kesmalea has offices and labs in London, UK. Kesmalea's £25m Series A was led by Syncona Ltd alongside Oxford Science Enterprises. For more information, please visit:
Scotsman
05-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
VE Day: How Orkney played a vital role and bore heavy losses during World War II
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is where the first German aircraft was shot down on British soil after an anti-aircraft battery took aim at a Ju 88 as it attempted to target ships in Scapa Flow, and where the Royal Navy endured one of the darkest chapters in its storied history. Little wonder, then, that when World War II finally came to an end, the celebrations in Orkney went on long into the night. Just as the archipelago played a crucial role during the first world war, when the decision was taken to base the Home Fleet in the vast natural harbour of Scapa Flow, its importance throughout World War II was paramount. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a chain of islands with a population around 20,000 strong, it hosted more than 12,000 military and civilian personnel at HMS Proserpine in Lyness to support Britain's naval operations. Most of the defences built during World War I had been dismantled long before the outbreak of World War II, and those posted at the base - who nicknamed it 'Proper Swine' - carried out considerable work to protect the fleet, laying of twelve miles of anti-submarine and anti-torpedo nets. The Churchill Barriers were built to protect the British fleet during World War II, but have long served as a lifeline link for island communities. Picture: Such efforts, unfortunately, could not prevent Orkney enduring one of the greatest losses of the war when, on 14 October 1939, just six weeks into the conflict, a German U-boat fired a torpedo salvo at the HMS Royal Oak, a Revenge-class battleship which, at the time, boasted the largest guns ever fitted on a Royal Navy vessel. Although the Royal Oak was thought to be safely at anchor in Scapa Flow, the attack engineered by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz was a success. The tragedy claimed the lives of 835 men and boys after the Revenge-class battleship was struck by a torpedo salvo. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To this day, those on Orkney remember the brutal loss. They include Dr Stephen Clackson, whose uncle, Ordinary Seaman Ronald Clackson, was those who died, just a week after his 20th birthday. The attack only strengthened Britain's resolve to better protect the nation's naval might, Dr Clackson said. 'Such a breach in the defences of the harbour where the Royal Navy had based its grand fleet at the start of World War II would have been a great shock to the admiralty and government,' Dr Clackson, an Orkney councillor, told The Scotsman. 'Steps were taken to block the entrance between the Orkney mainland and the small island of Lamb Holm where the U-47 had crept in, and also the gaps between the other islands on the east side of the Flow.' The loss of HMS Royal Oak dealt a bitter blow on Orkney and further afield. Picture: PA | PA The following year, meanwhile, local man James Isbister became the first British civilian to be killed in a German air-raid after the Luftwaffe dropped more than 120 high explosive and 500 incendiary bombs on the evening of 16 March 1940. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An eyewitness to the raids, Ellen Farquhar, told The Orcadian newspaper: 'I just saw a blue and white flame, which dazzled me at the same moment as a terrible explosion shook everything. The shop window crashed in and I was half choked with dust.' One of the most striking legacies of Orkney's involvement in the conflict - the Churchill Barriers - was built to deter German sea attacks, and they remain a crucial part of the archipelago's infrastructure to this day, with the vast causeways connecting the Orkney mainland with South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, and Lamb Holm. In the aftermath of the sinking of the Royal Oak, they were constructed in one of the 20th century's greatest civil engineering feats on the orders of Sir Winston Churchill in his time as the First Lord of the Admiralty. Dr Stephen Clackson, whose uncle was among those killed when HMS Royal Oak was struck by German forces. | Orkney Islands Council A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers fighting in North Africa, so a decision was taken to transport 550 men to Camp 60 on Lamb Holm and a similar number to Camp 34 in Burray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was a decision that gave Orkney another landmark which remains popular with locals and tourists alike to this day, when the Italian artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, assisted by other tradesmen, transformed two Nissenhuts into a beautifully ornate chapel. When the war finally came to an end, Orkney was hit by a spell of lashing rain, but the conditions did not deter locals from celebrating and remembering those who had been lost. Upwards of a 1,000 people gathered for a thanksgiving church service in Kirkwall, while celebrations broke out elsewhere on the islands The Orkney Herald reported that in Stromness, flags were hoisted despite the heavy rain, with revellers gathering to mark the conflict's end. 'In spite of atrocious weather there were many celebrations in the evening,' it reported. 'At most of the military camps, and in the town hall, dancing and merry making went on all night, and beer flowed in profusion.'. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney. Picture: PA | PA A few days after peace came to Europe, there was cause for further celebration when the Churchill Barriers were officially opened by Sir Winston's successor as First Lord of the Admiralty, Albert Victor Alexander, on 12 May. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a series of events are planned throughout Orkney. As detailed by The Scotsman, a peacetime convoy of former World War II vessels will call in at Kirkwall as part of a tribute to those who took part in the covet Shetland Bus wartime operations, which smuggled special forces soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters to Nazi-occupied Norway, along with explosives, weapons and radios for the resistance movement.
Scotsman
05-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
VE Day: How Orkney played a vital role and bore heavy losses during World War II
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is where the first German aircraft was shot down on British soil after an anti-aircraft battery took aim at a Ju 88 as it attempted to target ships in Scapa Flow, and where the Royal Navy endured one of the darkest chapters in its storied history. Little wonder, then, that when World War II finally came to an end, the celebrations in Orkney went on long into the night. Just as the archipelago played a crucial role during the first world war, when the decision was taken to base the Home Fleet in the vast natural harbour of Scapa Flow, its importance throughout World War II was paramount. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a chain of islands with a population around 20,000 strong, it hosted more than 12,000 military and civilian personnel at HMS Proserpine in Lyness to support Britain's naval operations. Most of the defences built during World War I had been dismantled long before the outbreak of World War II, and those posted at the base - who nicknamed it 'Proper Swine' - carried out considerable work to protect the fleet, laying of twelve miles of anti-submarine and anti-torpedo nets. The Churchill Barriers were built to protect the British fleet during World War II, but have long served as a lifeline link for island communities. Picture: Such efforts, unfortunately, could not prevent Orkney enduring one of the greatest losses of the war when, on 14 October 1939, just six weeks into the conflict, a German U-boat fired a torpedo salvo at the HMS Royal Oak, a Revenge-class battleship which, at the time, boasted the largest guns ever fitted on a Royal Navy vessel. Although the Royal Oak was thought to be safely at anchor in Scapa Flow, the attack engineered by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz was a success. The tragedy claimed the lives of 835 men and boys after the Revenge-class battleship was struck by a torpedo salvo. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To this day, those on Orkney remember the brutal loss. They include Dr Stephen Clackson, whose uncle, Ordinary Seaman Ronald Clackson, was those who died, just a week after his 20th birthday. The attack only strengthened Britain's resolve to better protect the nation's naval might, Dr Clackson said. 'Such a breach in the defences of the harbour where the Royal Navy had based its grand fleet at the start of World War II would have been a great shock to the admiralty and government,' Dr Clackson, an Orkney councillor, told The Scotsman. 'Steps were taken to block the entrance between the Orkney mainland and the small island of Lamb Holm where the U-47 had crept in, and also the gaps between the other islands on the east side of the Flow.' The loss of HMS Royal Oak dealt a bitter blow on Orkney and further afield. Picture: PA | PA The following year, meanwhile, local man James Isbister became the first British civilian to be killed in a German air-raid after the Luftwaffe dropped more than 120 high explosive and 500 incendiary bombs on the evening of 16 March 1940. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An eyewitness to the raids, Ellen Farquhar, told The Orcadian newspaper: 'I just saw a blue and white flame, which dazzled me at the same moment as a terrible explosion shook everything. The shop window crashed in and I was half choked with dust.' One of the most striking legacies of Orkney's involvement in the conflict - the Churchill Barriers - was built to deter German sea attacks, and they remain a crucial part of the archipelago's infrastructure to this day, with the vast causeways connecting the Orkney mainland with South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, and Lamb Holm. In the aftermath of the sinking of the Royal Oak, they were constructed in one of the 20th century's greatest civil engineering feats on the orders of Sir Winston Churchill in his time as the First Lord of the Admiralty. Dr Stephen Clackson, whose uncle was among those killed when HMS Royal Oak was struck by German forces. | Orkney Islands Council A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers fighting in North Africa, so a decision was taken to transport 550 men to Camp 60 on Lamb Holm and a similar number to Camp 34 in Burray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was a decision that gave Orkney another landmark which remains popular with locals and tourists alike to this day, when the Italian artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, assisted by other tradesmen, transformed two Nissenhuts into a beautifully ornate chapel. When the war finally came to an end, Orkney was hit by a spell of lashing rain, but the conditions did not deter locals from celebrating and remembering those who had been lost. Upwards of a 1,000 people gathered for a thanksgiving church service in Kirkwall, while celebrations broke out elsewhere on the islands The Orkney Herald reported that in Stromness, flags were hoisted despite the heavy rain, with revellers gathering to mark the conflict's end. 'In spite of atrocious weather there were many celebrations in the evening,' it reported. 'At most of the military camps, and in the town hall, dancing and merry making went on all night, and beer flowed in profusion.'. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney. Picture: PA | PA A few days after peace came to Europe, there was cause for further celebration when the Churchill Barriers were officially opened by Sir Winston's successor as First Lord of the Admiralty, Albert Victor Alexander, on 12 May. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a series of events are planned throughout Orkney. As detailed by The Scotsman, a peacetime convoy of former World War II vessels will call in at Kirkwall as part of a tribute to those who took part in the covet Shetland Bus wartime operations, which smuggled special forces soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters to Nazi-occupied Norway, along with explosives, weapons and radios for the resistance movement.
