Stevenage, UK – 1 December 2025 — NRG Therapeutics today announced that it has appointed Paul Thompson, PhD, as Chief Development Officer (CDO), underscoring NRG’s commitment to accelerate the development of its lead candidate, NRG5051, and expand its ambitions in neurodegenerative-disease therapeutics. nrgtherapeutics.com
NRG Therapeutics Strengthens Leadership Amid Growth Phase
NRG Therapeutics, a neuroscience-focused drug discovery company developing disease-modifying mitochondrial therapeutics, has reached a pivotal milestone. With Paul Thompson’s appointment, the company gains a seasoned drug-development executive to lead non-clinical and clinical development of NRG5051 — an oral, brain-penetrant small-molecule inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) designed to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/MND).
Thompson brings more than 25 years of experience in translational research and early clinical development, with deep expertise in neurology. Most recently, he served as Chief Scientific Officer at another biotech firm, where he led CNS and renal disease programmes — reflecting the kind of scientific and regulatory pedigree needed to guide NRG5051 toward first-in-human trials. nrgtherapeutics.com
The appointment follows a major financial milestone for NRG: a £50 million ($67 million) Series B funding round closed in September 2025, which significantly strengthened the company’s financial position. That funding provides runway for both IND-enabling work and the initiation of first-in-human studies expected in early 2026.
What NRG5051 Represents — A New Hope in Neurodegenerative Therapy
NRG Therapeutics’ mission is to tackle neurodegenerative diseases at their core — with a focus on mitochondrial dysfunction, long considered a root contributor to neuron death in disorders such as Parkinson’s and ALS.
NRG5051 is the company’s lead development candidate. As an oral, CNS-penetrant inhibitor of the mPTP, it’s engineered to restore mitochondrial function, reduce neuroinflammation, and protect neurons — rather than just offering symptomatic relief. Preclinical studies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects, including reductions in neurofilament light chain (NfL), a validated biomarker of neurodegeneration.
By targeting the mPTP — a novel mechanism of action — NRG Therapeutics is positioning NRG5051 as potentially the first disease-modifying therapy for sporadic ALS/MND and Parkinson’s, addressing an unmet need in clinical neurology. nrgtherapeutics.com
Strategic Implications — Why This Matters
Advancing Clinical Development with Expert Leadership
Paul Thompson’s hiring brings proven drug-development leadership at a time when NRG transitions from preclinical to clinical stage. His background increases confidence among investors, researchers and regulators that NRG5051’s development path is guided by seasoned management.
Securing Long-Term Commitment and Funding Stability
NRG’s recent £50 million Series B financing — led by major life-science investors — demonstrates strong investor confidence in the company’s mitochondrial-therapy pipeline. The fresh capital supports first-in-human trials for NRG5051 and underscores the long-term viability of NRG’s business model.
Potential to Transform Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
Current therapies for Parkinson’s and ALS largely manage symptoms; there are no widely approved medicines that slow or halt disease progression. If NRG5051 proves safe and effective in humans, it could mark a paradigm shift — offering hope to patients and caregivers by tackling the root of neuronal degeneration rather than its consequences.
Strengthening NRG Therapeutics’ Position in a Competitive Field
By combining novel science (mPTP inhibition), strong financing, and enhanced leadership, NRG Therapeutics is emerging as a serious contender in the race for disease-modifying therapies in neurodegeneration. Their approach could attract further attention from pharmaceutical partners, research networks, and healthcare institutions globally.
What to Watch — Near-Term Milestones
- Initiation of First-in-Human Trials (2026): The start of Phase-1 clinical studies for NRG5051 will be a critical inflection point — determining safety, pharmacokinetics and brain-penetration in humans.
- Preclinical & Translational Data Releases: Continued publication of safety and biomarker data (e.g., NfL reduction, neuroinflammation markers) will validate the mPTP inhibition mechanism and build scientific confidence.
- Regulatory Engagement & Design: Planning of clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, and potential partnerships — including expansion into multiple neurodegenerative indications beyond ALS and Parkinson’s.
- Further Talent & Capability Expansion: Additional hires across clinical operations, regulatory affairs, project management and translational biology could accelerate development velocity as NRG scales. BioSpace
- Investor & Partner Interest: As NRG advances toward human trials, interest from pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and patient-advocacy groups may increase — setting the stage for collaborations, licensing, or strategic alliances.
About NRG Therapeutics
NRG Therapeutics is a UK-based neuroscience drug discovery company dedicated to developing disease-modifying mitochondrial therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Founded in 2018 and operating from Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, NRG’s pipeline focuses on orally available, brain-penetrant small-molecule inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), designed to restore mitochondrial function, reduce neuronal damage, and slow or halt progression of diseases such as Parkinson’s and ALS/MND.
Since inception, NRG has attracted funding and support from prominent investors and foundations, including Omega Funds, Novartis Venture Fund, Dementia Discovery Fund, British Business Bank, and patient-advocacy organisations such as Parkinson’s UK, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Target ALS. In 2025, the company closed a £50 million Series B financing round to advance NRG5051 toward clinical trials.
NRG Therapeutics’ mission is underpinned by robust mitochondrial-biology science. By targeting fundamental cellular dysfunction rather than symptomatic pathways, NRG aims to create the next generation of neurodegenerative therapies that not only treat but transform disease progression.
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