NRG Therapeutics (NRG) has appointed Paul Thompson, PhD, as Chief Development Officer, the company announced. In this new role, Paul will lead the development of NRG5051—an oral, brain-penetrant small-molecule inhibitor targeting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP)—and oversee all nonclinical development functions.
The company said NRG5051 is on track to start first-in-human trials in early 2026. The drug has demonstrated neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as motor neurone disease or MND).
Paul Thompson brings over 25 years of experience in translational research and neurology-focused drug development. His prior roles include Chief Scientific Officer at Mission Therapeutics, and leadership positions at ONO Pharma UK and GSK.
The company said this appointment comes after a recent £50 million Series B financing round which supports advancing NRG5051 through early clinical trials, including a potential proof-of-concept study in ALS/MND and a Phase 1b study in Parkinson’s patients.
