EpilepsyGTx appoints Dr Teresa Nunes as Chief Medical Officer
- Appointment of senior clinical leader will support progression of lead candidate EPY201 through the clinic
London, UK, 22 JULY 2026: EpilepsyGTx, a biotechnology company focused on research and development of cutting-edge gene therapies to treat refractory epilepsy, today announced the appointment of Dr Teresa Nunes as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). An experienced clinical development leader, Teresa will guide EpilepsyGTx’s lead gene therapy programme for focal refractory epilepsy, EPY201, through regulatory approvals and subsequent first-in-human clinical trials.
Teresa brings over twenty years of global leadership experience, with expertise spanning gene and cell and small molecule therapies across a range of conditions including CNS disorders and epilepsy. She joins EpilepsyGTx from Allucent, a global contract research organisation (CRO), where she led the medical and pharmacovigilance teams. Previously, she held senior medical roles at clinical research consultancy, Premier Research International, as well as Bial, a company developing novel therapeutics for neurological conditions and rare diseases, where she led the development of eslicarbazepine acetate (brand: Zebinix), an antiseizure medicine, from early clinical phase to commercial approval.
Over the course of her career, Teresa has contributed to the design and delivery of over 100 Phase I-IV trials, working with multidisciplinary teams across clinical operations, medical, pharmacovigilance, and project management at global companies including Vertex Pharmaceutical and BlueClinical. Her experience also includes AAV-based gene therapies, covering protocol design and safety monitoring, and the management of immunosuppression and hepatotoxicity. Teresa holds an MD from the University of Coimbra, a Board Certification in Clinical Pharmacology, an MSc in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Surrey, and an MBA from Fernando Pessoa University.
Dr Teresa Nunes, Chief Medical Officer of EpilepsyGTx, said: “EPY201 holds great potential to stop seizures associated with focal refractory epilepsy in a single, locally administered intervention, and I am delighted to be joining EpilepsyGTx at such a critical point in its development. As the Company advances into Phase I clinical trials, I look forward to working with the team to bring this novel gene therapy closer to patients, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with epilepsy.”
Nicolas Koebel, Chief Executive Officer of EpilepsyGTx, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Teresa to EpilepsyGTx. Her deep expertise in end-to-end clinical development, spanning both antiseizure medicines and AAV-based gene therapies, will be invaluable as we progress through clinical trials and work towards giving patients the possibility of a seizure free future.”
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EpilepsyGTx
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About EpilepsyGTx
EpilepsyGTx is a biotech company developing cutting-edge gene therapies for epilepsy. Its technology offers patients with focal refractory epilepsy (FRE), the prospect of seizure freedom in a single procedure, delivered directly to the seizure focus with minimal damage to surrounding brain tissue.
The Company has generated substantial evidence of potential anti-seizure activity and tolerability in translatable preclinical models of FRE for a variety of seizure focus locations. The Company’s lead programme, EPY201, is administered to the seizure focal point via intraparenchymal delivery, reducing neuronal activity, and preventing seizures. EPY201 is entering first-in-human clinical trials for FRE in 2026.
EpilepsyGTx was founded in 2021 based on pioneering research from University College London Institute of Neurology, with its founders bringing many years of unique experience in synaptic research. For more information, please visit : www.epilepsygtx.com.
About EPY201
EPY201 is an investigational gene therapy targeting focal refractory epilepsy. EPY201, also known as AAV9-CAMK2A-EKC, utilizes an AAV9 capsid, a CAMK2A promoter, and an engineered naturally occurring form of the Kv1.1 potassium channel (referred to as “EKC”). The therapy is administered directly to the target seizure focus, the specific region of the brain responsible for seizures, via intraparenchymal delivery.