PharmAust (ASX:PAA) has announced the resignation of its chief executive officer Dr Richard Hopkins.
Dr Hopkins has resigned and will join Zelda Therapeutics as its managing director on 1 July.
PharmaAust executive chairman Dr Roger Aston said: “The board thanks Richard for his time and achievements atPharmAust and wishes him the best for his future. We have achieved much during the past 14 months during Richard’s tenure including a successful capital raise and the recent signing of a new option agreement with Elanco.”
“We have been working with Richard to facilitate a smooth handover. We are also well advanced in talks with a leading candidate to assume the role of CEO to drive PharmAust’s clinical and commercial imperatives.”
Dr Hopkins’ last day with PharmAust will be Friday 25 May 2018. The company confirmed Dr Aston will assume the role of acting CEO.
In a separate statement, Zelda Therapeutics said Dr Hopkins will assist the company as it enters the next phase of growth.
“We have achieved a great deal since our inception in 2015. We have established a diverse portfolio of clinical trial activities across the globe partnering with world-class centres of excellence. In addition, we have an exciting portfolio of pre-clinical research studying the effect of cannabinoids on diabetes-associated cognitive decline and breast, brain & pancreatic cancer,” said Zelda’s executive chairman Harry Karelis.
“As the company prepares for its next phase of growth, we are very pleased to have been able to attract someone of Richard’s calibre to join the team in a leadership position. We are in very capable hands and we will be working closely together to build on our success to date.”