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
Vinh Chau
IT Helpdesk Engineer
Vinh has worked within the IT sector for over 10 years, holidng BSc in Computer Networking from University of Westminster. Previously, he worked as a Senior IT Officer for Stonewall.
Hamish Bennett
General Counsel & Company Secretary
Hamish leads our legal team and is part of senior management. With over 20 years of experience in the life sciences sector, he has worked at Mundipharma, Eli Lilly and Kyowa Kirin International.
Hannah Harman
Senior Administrator
Hannah is a Senior Administrator with 10+ years’ experience in executive support and office operations. She is highly organised and proactive, with a passion for wellbeing and organising team events.
Dahlia Muana
People Services Generalist
Dahlia has over five years’ experience in human resources and people operations. Throughout her career, she has taken the lead on recruitment, onboarding, policy management, and staff development.
Narpal Sihra
Project Manager
With extensive experience in the life sciences sector, Narpal helps connect businesses with funding opportunities. She holds the APM Project Fundamentals and Management Development qualifications.
Dr Lorenzo Schiazza
Project Manager
Dr Schiazza supports the delivery of projects across sectors, from cell and gene therapies to waterproof coatings, to viral vectors. He holds a PhD in Advanced Therapeutics and Nanomedicines.
Dylan Oliver
Senior Lead IT Engineer
Dylan leads our IT function
Faye Redman
Accounts Assistant
Faye has a particular focus on purchasing duties, where her strong organisational skills and accuracy support efficient financial operations. She is currently completing her AAT studies.
Shivam Kishore
Accounts Assistant
Shivam's work focuses on Income, with primary responsibility for the Sales Ledger and Financial Distribution Activities. He graduated with First Class Honours in BSc Finance and Accounting.
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.