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Preventing Blood Clots Without Bleeding

We're creating the next generation
anticoagulant therapy.

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About LUNAC Therapeutics

At LUNAC Therapeutics we're developing a first-in-class, next generation oral and intravenous anticoagulants for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening thrombotic events, without the bleeding risk associated with current anticoagulants.

​Our focus is on the inhibition of activated Factor XII (FXIIa), a clotting factor enzyme which plays a key role in pathological clot formation (thrombosis) but not in the stemming of bleeding (haemostasis).

​LUNAC is a spin-out company from the University of Leeds, founded and supported by world-leading experts in blood coagulation and international venture-funding.

Our Company
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Professor Helen Philippou

Helen Philippou is Professor of Translational Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds. She is a world-leading researcher on the blood coagulation cascade, with >60 peer reviewed publications in high impact journal and 3 published patents. Helen serves on the Editorial Board of the RPTH Journal, is the Scientific Secretary for the British Society of Haemostasis and Thrombosis Society Committee (since 2016), and is a Co-Chair for the FXI and Contact System SSC of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). 

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Dr. Richard Foster

Dr Richard Foster is an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds. He directs a large, multidisciplinary team in the area of small molecule hit identification and optimisation. Prior to joining the University of Leeds, Richard was a senior research manager at Tripos Discovery Research where he led medicinal chemistry efforts directed at cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and CNS disorders. Richard has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and patents.

   SCIENTIFIC FOUNDERS   

Our Science

Oral anticoagulants are life-saving drugs which are significantly under-utilised because of the difficulty of balancing anti-thrombotic activity with risk of major bleeding. All current anticoagulants target parts of the coagulation cascade which are essential for normal blood clotting.

 

LUNAC Therapeutics is taking a different approach; our first-in-class oral small molecule targets activated Factor XII (FXIIa), a coagulation factor enzyme in a different part of the coagulation cascade.  FXIIa plays a key role in pathological occlusive clot formation but not in the normal stemming of bleeding.

Our Science
Our People

Our People

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Julian Howell, MD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    LEADERSHIP TEAM & BOARD    

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Dr. Mervyn Turner
CHAIRMAN

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Dr. Helen Philippou
BOARD MEMBER

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Dr. Pete Finan
BOARD MEMBER

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Dr. Mary Canning

BOARD MEMBER

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Dr. Sarah Jarmin
BOARD MEMBER

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Clive McCarthy
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LEADER 

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Richard Brooks, CA 

HEAD OF FINANCE 

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Dr. Alan Naylor

ADVISOR

   CONSULTANTS & ADVISORS   

INVESTORS
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University of Leeds

The University of Leeds has an impressive track record in transforming academic research into commercial success and has created more than 110 spin-out companies since 1995.

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   KEY INVESTORS   

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Epidarex Capital

Epidarex Capital invests in early-stage, high growth life science and health technology Epidarex Capital is a transatlantic venture fund that invests in early-stage, high growth life science and health technology companies in under-ventured markets.

 

Epidarex focuses on providing risk capital to young companies, including spin-outs from leading research institutions in up and coming life science hubs. The firm’s international management team has a track record of successfully partnering with top scientists and entrepreneurs to develop highly innovative products for the global healthcare market.

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Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia is a proactive, specialist asset manager focused on supporting regional SMEs to achieve their growth aspirations. Mercia provides capital across its four asset classes of balance sheet, venture, private equity and debt capital: the Group's 'Complete Connected Capital'. The Group initially nurtures businesses via its third-party funds under management, then over time Mercia can provide further funding to the most promising companies, by deploying direct investment follow-on capital from its own balance sheet.

The Group has a strong UK footprint through its regional offices, 19 university partnerships and extensive personal networks, providing it with access to high-quality deal flow. 

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