Matthew Fyfe Appointed Chief Scientific Officer at Outrun Therapeutics

Outrun Therapeutics Strengthens Leadership with New CSO

Outrun Therapeutics, a notable innovator in E3 ligase inhibition and protein stabilization, has announced the appointment of Matthew Fyfe as its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). This strategic move marks a significant step in advancing Outrun's innovative therapeutic portfolio and underscores its commitment to revolutionizing drug discovery in the biopharmaceutical landscape.

A Seasoned Expert in Drug Discovery

With an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Matthew Fyfe comes to Outrun with extensive experience in drug discovery and development across a myriad of therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neurology, ophthalmology, and metabolic diseases. Prior to joining Outrun, he served as Senior Vice President of Therapeutics at Storm Therapeutics, playing a pivotal role in guiding clinical programs through various stages of development. Fyfe has a proven track record of successfully guiding teams to deliver clinical candidates that have progressed to Phase 2 trials and beyond, demonstrating his capability to lead in high-stakes environments.

Outrun's X-E3L Platform for Groundbreaking Therapies

As Outrun continues to gain momentum following its 2024 exit from stealth mode and a successful $10 million seed financing initiative, Fyfe's role will be crucial in leveraging the company's proprietary X-E3L (Crosslinking E3 Labeller) technology platform. This technology is central to Outrun's mission of developing first-in-class small molecule drugs aimed at stabilizing proteins that are otherwise prone to degradation—targeting E3 ligases, which are pivotal in many disease processes, particularly in tumors.

Dr. Carolyn Porter, CEO of Outrun Therapeutics, expressed confidence in Fyfe's appointment, stating, "Matthew's wealth of experience in clinical stage programs across diverse therapeutic areas perfectly complements our ambitious goals. His expertise will prove invaluable as we continue to make strides toward bringing new therapies to the clinic."

Fyfe's Vision for the Future

In his statement, Fyfe articulated his excitement about joining Outrun Therapeutics, emphasizing the company's innovative approach to drug hunting. He recognizes the unique opportunity presented by E3 ligase targets, particularly regarding tumor suppression. Fyfe is eager to work closely with Outrun's team and its academic founder, Professor Satpal Virdee, to accelerate the discovery and development of high-quality drug candidates. "Outrun's drug discovery platform is among the most cutting-edge in the industry, and I look forward to collaborating closely with the team to unlock its full potential," he remarked.

A Leading Force in Protein Stabilization

Outrun Therapeutics is dedicated to untapping the therapeutic potential of protein stabilization through the inhibition of E3 ligases. Unlike more traditional methods that interfere downstream, Outrun’s approach aims to stabilize proteins at their source, enabling a broader range of indications. With burgeoning interest in E3 ligases as therapeutic targets, Outrun is positioned to overcome the hurdles historically associated with this area, thanks to its sophisticated understanding of E3 ligase biology and the high-throughput capabilities of its X-E3L platform.

The organization is already making significant progress with its lead program—a small molecule inhibitor targeting an E3 ligase responsible for the degradation of a tumor suppressor protein in difficult-to-treat solid tumors. The implications of this work could be immense, particularly in the fields of oncology and neurology, where the preservation of vital proteins can have life-changing consequences.

About Outrun Therapeutics

Founded from the renowned lab of Professor Satpal Virdee at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit in Dundee, Outrun operates with a highly efficient management team capable of fostering a robust biopharma business. The company is supported by notable investors including M Ventures and MP Healthcare Venture Management, indicating strong confidence in its potential for growth and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector.

As Outrun Therapeutics embarks on this new chapter with Matthew Fyfe at the helm of its scientific endeavors, the biopharma community will undoubtedly be keen to watch its progress in the realm of protein stabilization and the inhibition of E3 ligases.