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
Kathryn Walsh
Board of Directors
Dr. Walsh leads UCL Innovation & Enterprise, with experience in innovation policy, enterprise funding and industrial research. She holds a PhD in Physics from King’s College London.
Dr. Nessa Carey
Board of Directors
Dr. Carey is an independent science and innovation specialist, who has provided training and consultancy services nationally and internationally.
Dr. Anne Lane
Board of Directors
Dr. Lane started her career as a geneticist and completed a PhD and British Heart Foundation Junior Fellowship at UCL, before teaching and researching at Harvard.
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.
Nigel Campbell
Director of Marketing & Communications
Leader in strategic corporate communications and marketing for visitor attractions, conservation organisations and campaigning charities.
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.