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
Michelle Huggins (Away from office)
Head of People Services
Michelle manages the HR, payroll and pensions functions, plus payments and IR35 compliance. She was previously UCL's Payroll Manager and is an associate member of the CIPD and full member of the CIPP.
Louise Hammond
Director of Operations
Louise manages the Project Management, People Services, IT, and Admin teams. She holds qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and Chartered Management Institute.
Dr. Giorgia Perli
Senior Counsel Corporate
Dr Perli has a background in commercial and corporate law. She has experience with cross-border M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, acquisition of distressed assets and PE investments.
Dr Christina Panaretou
Senior Business Analyst
Dr Panaretou is responsible for market analysis, technology / deal assessment and project valuations, including transaction valuations. She holds a PhD in cell biology and intracellular signalling.
Professor Geraint Rees
Non-executive Director
He is Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement). Geraint's research career focused on understanding the neural basis of consciousness using functional neuroimaging.
Tania Holt
Board of Directors
Tania is a Senior Partner for McKinsey & Company’s London office with global experience leading diverse teams and delivering transformative impact in the private, public and social sector.
Jessica Yuille
Board of Directors
Jessica is currently Executive Director of Strategic Finance at UCL, working in a job share with Stephen Glover.
Stephen Glover
Board of Directors
Stephen is currently Executive Director of Strategic Finance at UCL, working in a job share with Jessica Yuille.
Lucy Armstrong
Board of Directors
Lucy has spent over 30 years working with mid-corporate businesses to accelerate their development and success by focussing on stakeholder and management development and succession. Her experienc
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.