Imagion boosts board with Dimerix boss Dr Nina Webster

• Dimerix boss Dr Nina Webster to join Imagion Biosystems as non-executive director
• Webster has extensive experience with ASX healthcare companies and is also non-executive chair of SYNthesis BioVentures
• Appointment comes as Imagion prepares to launch phase II trial of its lead MagSense imaging agent for HER2+ breast cancer in US

Special Report: Cancer diagnostics company Imagion Biosystems strengthens its board with appointment of prominent industry leader – Dimerix CEO and managing director Dr Nina Webster.  

Effective today (September 1), Webster has been appointed as a non-executive director to Imagion Biosystems (ASX:IBX), bringing a wealth of experience in the ASX-listed health sector, having held leadership roles in the industry for more than 30 years and having taken multiple products from inception through to commercialisation.

Webster currently heads up Dimerix Ltd (ASX: DXB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, developing a portfolio of drugs to treat inflammatory diseases and with a phase III drug candidate.

Dimerix’s lead drug candidate DMX-200 is currently in a phase III trial for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease.

Under Webster’s leadership, Dimerix has also executed four lucrative regional commercial licensing deals for DMX-200. Collectively, the deals provide up to ~$1.4bn in total upfront payments and potential milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales.

Other prominent ASX positions

Webster has a history of successful commercialisation in the sector, and was formerly the commercial director for Acrux (ASX:ACR) and director of commercialisation and intellectual property for Immuron (ASX: IMC).

Holding a PhD in pharmaceutics, a bachelor’s in pharmacology, a master’s in intellectual property law, and an executive MBA, Webster also serves as non-executive chair of SYNthesis BioVentures and non-executive director of Linear Clinical Research.

Imagion said Webster will bring to the company vast experience in investor relations, strategic planning and scientific and operational execution.

Bringing molecular imaging to MRI

The addition of Webster further strengthens the board’s capabilities as Imagion continues to execute on its strategic objectives to develop and gain regulatory approval for its pipeline of MagSense molecular imaging technologies.

MagSense agents will be the first imaging technology to use targeted magnetic nanoparticles to tag and detect cancers allowing for visualisation using MRI.

The agents don’t rely on ionising radiation or radioactive tracers and provide more useful information than conventional imaging – including X-rays, MRI, CT, ultrasound and PE – which can show where an abnormality is but not if a tumour is benign or malignant.

Imagion is preparing to submit an IND ahead of launching a phase II trial of its lead MagSense imaging agent for HER2+ breast cancer in the US.

Two additional agents for prostate cancer and ovarian cancer are ready for IND-enabling studies before advancing to phase I studies.

HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is particularly aggressive, with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis, and ~400,000 new cases diagnosed globally each year.

The MagSense HER2 imaging agent is designed to detect cancer spread to the lymph nodes in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Accurate nodal staging is a key component in the clinical management of breast cancer.

Listen: Imagion’s Robert Proulx and Dr Leonardo Kayat Bittencourt join Tim Boreham

‘Excited to support the company’s mission’

Webster said she was honoured to join the board of Imagion Biosystems as a non-executive director and to contribute to the strategic direction and governance of the business.

“Imagion’s innovative approach to molecular imaging and potential early disease detection holds immense promise for improving patient outcomes,” she said.

“I’m excited to support the company’s mission to bring transformative diagnostic technologies to the clinic and help make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Board chairman Robert Proulx said Imagion was delighted to welcome Webster.

“As we continue to reshape the company to better reflect the maturing state of our business, Nina’s extensive industry knowledge and board experience will be invaluable,” he said.

This article was developed in collaboration with Imagion Biosystems, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.