Douglas Wight Appointed as Vice President - Drug Development
Patient identification and enrollment for our pivotal LQTS clinical trial is a strategic focus of LQTT. Mr Wight’s expertise will play a critical role in guiding our clinical and regulatory strategies.
We are now Thryv.
LQT Therapeutics Inc. has changed its name to Thryv Therapeutics Inc.
LAVAL, Québec, Canada | January 21, 2022
LQT Therapeutics, Inc. (LQTT) is excited to welcome Doug Wight as Vice President of Drug Development. Doug is a seasoned scientist and drug development professional with over 35 years of experience in scientific research and drug development in academia, as well as the Pharmaceutical and Contract Research industries.
“As LQTT advances our portfolio of SGK1 inhibitors into development, Doug’s expertise will play a critical role in guiding our clinical and regulatory strategies,” said Dr. Debra Odink, Chief Development Officer for LQT Therapeutics. “Foremost is our lead program for Congenital Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) which is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trials in late 2022. As a rare disease, patient identification and enrollment for our pivotal LQTS clinical trial is a strategic focus of the company. With Doug’s recent experience, we expect to dramatically reduce the enrollment period through a unique approach to patient recruitment.”
SGK1 plays a role in modulation of certain ion channels, thereby regulating ion current and repolarization duration in cardiomyocytes. Inappropriate SGK1 expression can lead to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
“I am very excited to join LQT Therapeutics as the company enters clinical development,” said Mr. Wight. “The research on SGK1 as a therapeutic target is impressive and offers multiple opportunities for development from Long QT Syndrome to Treatment Resistant Cancer.”
Mr. Wight began his career in academia, conducting research in pulmonary physiology at McGill University and the Université de Montréal. He then joined the pharmaceutical industry with Sandoz (now Novartis), and later moved to Searle (now Pfizer). He then moved to the CRO industry with MDS Pharma Services (now Celerion). There, he was Senior Director responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of drug development programs, from discovery through clinical proof of concept for Celerion clients, including therapies for type 2 diabetes, spinal cord injury, hepatocellular carcinoma and acute bacterial infection. He transitioned to Milestone Pharmaceuticals in 2011 as VP Drug Development and lead the development of etripamil from discovery to Phase 3 clinical trials.
Doug Wight received his BSc. in Bio-Physical Education from Concordia University and his MSc. in Physiology from McGill University.
About LQT Therapeutics, Inc.
LQT Therapeutics, Inc. is pioneering a precision medicine approach to treat patients with Long QT Syndrome and potentially other arrhythmias based on research from Beth Israel Deacons Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sanofi, S.A. By combining leading-edge cardiovascular genetics and diagnostics with recent advances in the understanding of the role of SGK1, LQT Therapeutics seeks to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people suffering from Long QT Syndrome and resistant cancers. Launched in 2019 by the Fonds de Solidarité FTQ. LQT Therapeutics, Inc. was founded by world-class experts in cardiovascular disease, cardiac muscle biology and drug development. For more information, please visit www.lqttrx.com
Media Inquiries:
Daphne Doucet | daphne@lqttrx.com | +1 (514) 973-0915
