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
David Philips
Senior Business Manager
Cancer Institute
David brings 20+ years’ IP management/licensing experience from Oxford technology transfer and life sciences firms. His genetics and virology background includes GlaxoSmithKline and Mercury Pharma.
Dr. Harriet Story (away from office)
Senior Business Manager
Centre for Clinical Pharmacology
Dr. Story supports BioPharm opportunities across pharmacy, liver, digestive health and rheumatology, with NHS trust and technology transfer experience. She completed an interdisciplinary PhD at UCL.
Dr. Sara Garcia Gomez
Senior Business Manager
Medical School
Dr. Garcia Gomez supports BioPharm technologies across cancer, GOSH, pharmacy and rare disease, bringing IP assessment experience. She holds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Dr. Barny Cox
Senior Business Manager
Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Dr. Cox supports healthcare and life science IP. He held positions with the British Medical Association and two internationally-acclaimed patent and trademark firms. He holds a UCL doctorate.
Dr. Rick Fagan
Director of BioPharm
Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology
Dr. Fagan brings extensive cell biology, pharma and technology transfer leadership experience, including AstraZeneca, SanofiAventis and UCL Ventures. He holds a PhD from McGill University.
Marina Santilli
Interim Director of Physical Sciences & Engineering
UCL School of Management
Marina brings vast expertise in computer science, AI inventions and deep-tech venture building, including developing E-lucid. She graduated in Physics from Imperial College.
Dr. Mark Fisher
Associate Director
Global Business School for Health
Dr Fisher is responsible for the BioPharm patent portfolio and strategic business support. He brings more than 30 years' experience in life sciences and healthcare licensing and company development.
Ioannis Takkides
Analyst
Ioannis previously worked in data management for a disease forecasting company in London and holds an MSc in Cancer and Molecular Biology from Queen Mary. He joined the team in January 2026.
Chloë Howard
Digital Communications Manager
Chloë has been a strategic communications advisor since 2020, bringing more than 12 years' experience in CMS management, social media strategy and content creation, and SEO.
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.