EpilepsyGTx
This UCL Ventures spinout focuses on cutting-edge treatments for focal refractory epilepsy.
EpilepsyGTx is a late preclinical-stage biotech, developing cutting-edge gene therapies that will transform the management of focal refractory epilepsy (FRE).
The spinout's goal is to make patients with FRE seizure-free.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting over 50 million people worldwide (WHO). Focal epilepsy is a group of disorders in which patients experience seizures that arise from a specific part of the brain, while refractory epilepsy occurs when seizures persist despite trials of at least two tolerated and appropriately chosen antiseizure treatments.
Approximately one in five patients with epilepsy has focal refractory epilepsy.
The mortality in people with refractory epilepsy is four times higher than in the general population. In the UK alone, approximately 1,000 epilepsy-related deaths are recorded each year. The hallmark symptom of FRE is recurrent and unpredictable seizures, which can cause injury and become life-threatening.
People with epilepsy often struggle with anxiety, depression, and the social stigma associated with their disease, and their professional life is severely restricted.
The EpilepsyGTx journey so far:
- 2024: EpilepsyGTx raised $10 million seed funding
- 2025: A $33 million Series A followed in 2025
Our people
Gemma Jackson
Head of Facilities & Office Administration
Gemma leads workplace operations, facilities management, health and safety, and senior leadership support, while developing and managing the admin support function across the company.
Dr Caitriona O'Rourke (Away from office)
Senior Business Manager
Dr O'Rourke has worked as a research associate on tissue engineering, drug delivery, regenerative medicine and stem cell biology. Her PhD looked at tissue engineering and her MSc in neuropharmacology.
Dr Weng Sie Wong
Senior Business Manager
UCL Hawkes Institute
Dr Wong brings extensive experience of all aspects of university technology transfer activities from strategic IP management to licence negotiations and spinout formation.
Ana Lemmo Charnalia
Business Manager
Centre for Digital Humanities
Ana supports SHAPE and social ventures, drawing on social investment, venture support and entrepreneurship experience. She managed the Health Social Innovators’ Programme and holds an MBA from Oxford.
Dr. Alireza Sadeghi
Business Manager
Biochemical Engineering
Dr. Sadeghi supports materials, engineering and sustainability commercialisation, drawing on deep-tech, startup and VC experience. He holds a Chemical Engineering PhD and is a Chartered Engineer.
Paul Evans
Business Manager
Computer Science
Paul supports engineering, computing and AI platforms, drawing on 20+ years in semiconductors, SaaS and founder leadership. He holds a first-class BEng in Digital Electronic Engineering.
Dr. Adam Hajjar
Senior Business Manager
UCL School of Pharmacy
Dr. Hajjar supports School of Pharmacy technologies, bringing 30+ years’ IP and commercialisation experience, including time at BP. He holds a BSc in Microbiology and a PhD in Biochemistry.
Dr. Cosetta Bertoli
Business Manager
Cancer Institute
Dr. Bertoli, a cancer specialist, handles IP protection and commercialisation of UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust technologies. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and Technologies.
Dr. Eleanor Barlow
Associate Business Manager
Dr. Barlow supports deep-tech research translation, combining applied R&D, materials and therapeutics experience. She holds a first-class MChem and recently completed a PhD.
Team
Professor Dimitri Kullman
Chief Scientific Officer; Scientific Founder
He is part of the Queen Square Institute of Neurology.
Professor Stephanie Schorge
Scientific Founder
Stephanie is the Sophia Jex-Blake Professor of Neuroscience at UCL and the Head of the Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP). She has been at UCL since 1999.
Prof Matthew Walker (UCL Institute of Neurology)
Prof Gabriele Liagnani (UCL Institute of Neurology)
Dr Caitriona O'Rourke (Away from office)
Senior Business Manager
Dr O'Rourke has worked as a research associate on tissue engineering, drug delivery, regenerative medicine and stem cell biology. Her PhD looked at tissue engineering and her MSc in neuropharmacology.