Kunwar Shailubhai appointed CEO of Tiziana

Clinical stage biotechnology company Tiziana Life Sciences announced the appointment of Dr Kunwar Shailubhai (Shailu) as its chief executive officer and chief scientific officer on Monday, with immediate effect.

The AIM-traded firm said Shailu was previously a non-executive director at the company.

Shailu was taking the reins at what the board called a “significant time” for Tiziana Life Sciences, which it claimed was the only company in the world developing an orally administered fully human anti-CD3 mAb (foralumab) as a drug candidate to manage NASH - a liver disease that affects millions of people worldwide, for which there was currently no treatment.

The timing of his appointment coincided with Tiziana’s preparations to proceed with Phase II of its trials to develop foralumab as a treatment for NASH.

“Having Shailu as our CEO demonstrates our commitment to put our research first and his expertise at some of the top pharmaceutical companies globally means Tiziana Life Sciences can go from strength to strength,” said executive chairman Gabriele Cerrone.

“In particular, his experience shows he knows what it takes to shepherd research from inception to FDA approval and I know his passion for this area of work will pay off.”

Kunwar Shailubhai said himself that it was a “crucial time” to be taking on the new role with Tiziana Life Sciences.

“NASH affects more than three million people in the UK alone and there is no cure, and now we have the team and the approach necessary to make important steps to manage this disease.”