VAL Valirx Plc

ValiRx plc

("ValiRx" or the "Company")

Directorate Changes

ValiRx plc (the "Company") (AIM: VAL), a life sciences company focusing on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health, is pleased to announce that Martin Gouldstone, a current Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company, has been appointed Independent Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect.

In addition, the Company announces that Cathy Tralau-Stewart has been appointed to the Board as Executive Director with immediate effect and Dr Mark Eccleston is proposed to the join the Board as Chief Executive Officer subject to standard regulatory due diligence.

Dr Mark Eccleston

Mark has worked as a scientific consultant and served on both the Commercial and Scientific Advisory Boards of ValiRx and Inaphaea gaining comprehensive knowledge of the Company's development programmes.

With over 30 years' experience working in translation science in both drug and biomarker development, Mark is a former BBSRC Enterprise fellow and holds an MBA (Entrepreneurship). He is an inventor of 26 published patents ranging from peptide and CAR-T cell therapies to nucleosome enrichment as well as biodegradable chewing gum.

Mark is the Managing Director of OncoLytika Ltd, a UK based technology consultancy company with a successful track record of securing grant funding (close to €3 million in Eurostar funding), strategic business development and client project management. He is also a scientific founder of several companies, including Volition, US listed biomarker company established as a spin out from ValiRx which reached a peak valuation of over $250 million. Mark currently serves as an independent scientific advisor supporting Nu.Q®️ Discover services and sits on Volition's Scientific Advisory Board as well as being a shareholder.

In addition to his commercial activities, Mark has supervised multiple industry funded PhD and Masters students at various universities, including the Open University, Greenwich University and DKFZ in Germany. He also serves as an external advisor to the Open University, contributing to modules focused on employability of biosciences graduates and employer expectations from graduates in terms of bioinformatics training.

Further to the announcement on 19 March 2024, Suzanne Dilly will remain with the Company for a one-month handover period to ensure business continuity and will step down from the ValiRx Group after that period.

Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart

Additionally, further to the announcement of 3 July 2024, the Company has appointed Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart as Executive Director with immediate effect.  Cathy will also continue to hold the position of Chief Scientific Officer. 

Pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, the following information is disclosed in respect of Catherine ("Cathy") Jane Tralau-Stewart (aged 60):

Cathy Tralau-Stewart holds 66,666 ordinary shares representing approximately 0.05% per cent. of the Company's issued share capital and 150,000 options over new ordinary shares in the Company.

There is no further information regarding Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart required to be disclosed under the AIM Rules.

Dr Suzanne Dilly, CEO of ValiRx commented "I'm delighted that after much consideration, the structure of the new Board of Directors is taking shape.  I look forward to watching the Company's continued progress as the new team develops the strategic direction of the company in their hands."

Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart, CSO of ValiRx commented "I am pleased to join the new Board of Directors at an exciting time for the Company. I look forward to working with the new team and shareholders on the next phase of the Company."

Martin Gouldstone, Chairman of ValiRx commented "I am delighted to Chair ValiRx at this pivotal time in the business's journey, and am excited to work with Mark as the new proposed CEO and Cathy as an Executive Director to help us to realise our potential."

The Directors of the Company take responsibility for this announcement.

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Notes for Editors

About ValiRx

ValiRx is a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health, accelerating the translation of innovative science into impactful medicines to improve patient lives.

ValiRx provides the scientific, financial, and commercial framework for enabling rapid translation of innovative science into clinical development.

Using its extensive and proven experience in research and drug development, the team at ValiRx selects and incubates promising novel drug candidates and guides them through an optimised process of development, from pre-clinical studies to clinic and investor-ready assets.

ValiRx connects diverse disciplines across scientific, technical, and commercial domains, with the aim of achieving a more streamlined, less costly, drug development process. The team works closely with carefully selected collaborators and leverages the combined expertise required for science to advance.

Lead candidates from ValiRx's portfolio are outlicensed or partnered with investors through ValiRx subsidiary companies for further clinical development and commercialisation. 

ValiRx listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol: VAL.

For further information, visit: www.valirx.com