Healx welcomes NF specialist Dr Christopher Moertel as new global head of clinical development
Healxan, the Cambridge-based AI-enabled, clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to rare diseases, has appointed Dr Christopher Moertel as its global head of clinical development.
Dr Moertel brings a wealth of experience in clinical research and drug development, particularly in neurofibromatosis (NF), a key focus for Healx.
At the University of Minnesota School of Medicine he is the Kenneth and Betty Jayne Dahlberg Professor of Paediatrics, as well as the medical director of the Paediatric Neuro-Oncology and Neurofibromatosis Programs. In addition he is the co-medical director of the Katie Hageboeck Children's Cancer Research Fund Clinic and and leads the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program and the Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic.
As lead investigator of the ReNeu clinical trial evaluating mirdametinib, a MEK inhibitor developed by SpringWorks Therapeutics, Dr Moertel has been instrumental in advancing treatments for NF1-associated plexiform neurofibromas. Mirdametinib was later FDA-approved as Gomekli for treating NF1-PN in adults and children.
As global head of clinical development at Healx, Dr Moertel will oversee the company’s clinical strategy, ensuring the advancement of its pipeline and the successful execution of clinical trials.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Moertel to our leadership team,” said Tim Guilliams, CEO of Healx. “His deep expertise in neurofibromatosis and rare disease research, coupled with his proven leadership in clinical development, makes him the ideal person to guide our clinical efforts as we advance our innovative therapies.”
“I am excited to be part of a company that is deeply committed to transforming the landscape of NF and rare disease treatment,” said Dr Moertel. “I look forward to working with the talented team at Healx to drive forward our clinical programs and bring new therapies to patients.”
Healx continues to make progress following a $47million in a Series C round in August 2024. In October the company’s lead program asset, HLX-1502, an oral investigational therapy, in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), was granted Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
In December life sciences entrepreneur, investor and helmsman Jonathan Milner joined as non-executive chairman.
And in February this year Healx announced that the first patient has been dosed in INSPIRE-NF1, a Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of HLX-1502.
