Avecho Biotechnology has appointed senior pharmaceutical executive Eve Williamson as a strategic business development consultant, bringing dedicated dealmaking capacity as the company seeks international partners for its CBD TPM soft-gel capsule for insomnia.
The appointment comes as Avecho advances its pivotal Phase 3 clinical program and follows the company’s recently announced positive interim analysis.
Avecho chief executive Dr Paul Gavin said the timing reflected the program's growing commercial relevance as it approaches a critical clinical and regulatory stage.
Williamson most recently served as vice president and global head of business development at CSL, where she assessed strategic product opportunities across the company’s vaccine and cardio-renal portfolios. Her responsibilities included licensing and acquisition activity, multidisciplinary due diligence, and preparing partnering proposals for CSL’s senior executive team and board.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical business development, licensing, portfolio strategy and commercial leadership. Her career has included senior roles with bio-CSL, Phebra and Hospira, as well as experience across Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.
The company’s CBD capsule uses Avecho’s proprietary Tocopheryl Phosphate Mixture drug-delivery technology, which is designed to improve the solubility and absorption of drugs and nutrients. Avecho says its CBD TPM soft-gel formulation has demonstrated improved CBD absorption and is being developed as a treatment for insomnia.
Avecho’s Phase 3 trial is a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study in Australian adults. Participants receive either 75 mg of CBD, 150 mg of CBD or placebo nightly for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed through validated questionnaires and daily sleep diaries.
The company said the study is intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the CBD formulation in reducing insomnia severity. Avecho describes it as the largest clinical trial of its type involving cannabidiol and says the program has been designed with the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency in mind.
“Eve brings an exceptional depth of global pharmaceutical business development and transaction experience to Avecho,” he said. “Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company as it recently announced successful interim results for its Phase III insomnia trial and continues to advance licensing discussions for territories outside Australia," Dr Gavin said.
He said Williamson’s experience would strengthen Avecho’s capacity to identify, evaluate and execute partnerships that could unlock the commercial potential of both its CBD capsule and wider portfolio.
“The positive Phase 3 interim analysis, which significantly derisks the program, has increased its attractiveness to potential international partners,” Dr Gavin added.
