Outrun Therapeutics announces formation of Chemistry Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
- Strengthens Advisory Board with key additions of experts in medicinal and computational chemistry, as well as structure-based drug discovery and pharmacokinetics
- Complements recently formed Biology Scientific Advisory Board and signifies strong KOL support for Outrun’s protein stabilisation approach
- Comes as Outrun advances lead E6AP inhibitor strategy, targeting HPV-positive head and neck cancers, towards development candidate nomination in H2 2026
Dundee, Scotland – May 14, 2026 – Outrun Therapeutics (“Outrun” or “the Company”), a biotech developing small molecule, protein-stabilising therapeutics identified through its proprietary XL discovery platform, today announces the formation of its Chemistry Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), with Stefan Knapp, Chris Swain, Mike Waring, and Richard Weaver all joining with immediate effect.
These new additions possess extensive experience across drug discovery, including efforts that have led to the discovery of several marketed therapies. Outrun’s SAB now boasts experts spanning key biological and chemical aspects of E3 ligase small molecule drug discovery, validating the transformative nature of its protein stabilisation approach.
Dr Tony Johnson, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer at Outrun Therapeutics, said: “This is a pivotal time for Outrun as we look ahead to announcing our development candidate later this year. For Stefan, Chris, Mike, and Richard to choose to join us is an immense vote of confidence in our pioneering protein stabilisation approach, and we look forward to reaping the benefits of their insights and expertise across contemporary drug design and discovery. Establishing our Chemistry Scientific Advisory Board is another key milestone at Outrun as we look to unlock the therapeutic potential of protein stabilisation.”
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Outrun Therapeutics
Tony Johnson, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@outruntx.com
Optimum Strategic Communications
Nick Bastin, Joshua Evans, Henry Williams
Tel: +44 20 3357 0618
E-mail: outrun@optimumcomms.com
Notes to Editors
About Outrun Therapeutics
Outrun Therapeutics develops first-in-class therapeutics designed to stabilise proteins that protect against serious disease. The Company’s powerful XL platform enables identification of modulators of E3 ligases whose dysregulation plays a key role in multiple diseases. Outrun’s pipeline includes additional programs in oncology, cardiovascular and neurology indications. The team has extensive expertise in E3 ligase biology and developing tools to characterise and drug E3 ligases. Outrun is backed by leading life-science investors M Ventures and MP Healthcare Venture Management.
Outrun recently announced that it has selected an E6AP inhibitor strategy as its lead programme targeting HPV-positive head and neck cancers. The Company expects to announce a development candidate later this year, with a view to entering the clinic in 2027.
About the Outrun Therapeutics Chemistry Scientific Advisory Board
Stefan Knapp, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, and Chief Scientific Officer, Structural Genomics Consortium Frankfurt
Stefan Knapp is Professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main and Chief Scientific Officer of the Structural Genomics Consortium Frankfurt node. He is a medicinal chemist and structural biologist with an interest in developing innovative, first-in-class small molecules for the discovery of new therapies. He pioneered the development of the first inhibitors for acetyl lysine reader domains of the epigenetic code (bromodomains), and has developed many highly selective kinase inhibitors using structure-based, rational ligand design approaches. Recently, his research team has also been targeting E3 ligases for the development of the next generation of PROTAC degraders.
Chris Swain, Founder & Director, Cambridge MedChem Consulting
Dr Chris Swain is the founder and Director of Cambridge MedChem Consulting (est. 2006). Previously, he spent 20 years at Merck as Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry, leading the discovery and development of the NK1 antagonist Emend and overseeing computational chemistry research. He now provides medicinal and computational chemistry support to pharma, biotech, academia, and VC funders, having collaborated with over 60 organisations, many in long term partnerships leading to clinical candidates. Chris is an active RSC leader, advisor to multiple companies and charities, a committed educator in drug discovery, and author of over 110 peer reviewed publications.
Mike Waring, Chair of Medicinal Chemistry, Newcastle University and Cancer Research Horizons
Mike is Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at Newcastle University and Cancer Research Horizons. Previously he was Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca. He has contributed to the discovery of 14 drug candidates including the covalent mutant EGFR inhibitor osimertinib. His expertise lies in physicochemical property-based optimisation and new methods of hit finding with a particular focus on covalent inhibitors and new modalities using fragments, DNA encoding and diversity-based approaches. His work has been recognised by numerous awards including the 2022 EFMC UCB Ehrlich Prize, 2018 ACS Heroes of Chemistry and the 2017 RSC Malcolm Campbell Medal.
Richard Weaver, Founder, Drug Discovery Solutions
Richard Weaver is a DMPK consultant and entrepreneur having both significant Pharma (AZ) and CRO experience. Richard founded XenoGesis in 2011 after spotting a gap in the DMPK CRO market. Having grown the company organically and through reinvestment, and building a team of over 40 skilled scientists, Richard successfully led the sale of XenoGesis to Sygnature Discovery in 2020. Richard founded Drug Discovery Solutions in 2022, a highly experienced team of DMPK consultants.
