GH Research Announces Appointment of Dr. Velichka “Villy” Valcheva as Chief Executive Officer

DUBLIN, Ireland, Sept. 3, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GH Research PLC (Nasdaq: GHRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders, today announced the promotion of Dr. Velichka “Villy” Valcheva, MD, MSc. to Chief Executive Officer of the company. Dr. Valcheva succeeds PD Dr. med. Theis Terwey, co-founder of GH Research.

Dr. Valcheva has over 20 years of experience in various leadership positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Dr. Valcheva joined the company in August 2023 and has served as the company’s Chief Medical Officer since February 2024, with executive responsibility for, among other things, the execution of the company’s clinical development programs. She joins us from Albireo, where, as Vice President and Head of International Medical Affairs, she played a key role in the company’s late-stage development, scientific communications, regulatory approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and EMA, and market access in multiple markets for the rare disease drug Bylvay. Dr. Valcheva holds a Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine degree from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Medicine – Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Florian Schönharting, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GH Research, said: “We are very pleased with the promotion of Dr. Valcheva to the position of Chief Executive Officer. She has proven her operational and executive skills as Chief Medical Officer and has the experience and track record to lead GH Research through the next phase of its development to achieve our goal of providing effective therapies for patients suffering from depression. I would also like to thank Theis for his dedication, passionate commitment and scientific rigor in pursuing our mission since we founded the company together.”

Dr. Valcheva, CEO of GH Research, added: “Since joining GH Research last year, I have worked tirelessly to leverage the potential of our product candidates to help patients with depression. As we continue to evaluate the remaining patients in our Phase 2b trial for treatment-resistant depression, we are on track to complete recruitment in September of this year. Additionally, our Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers using our proprietary device is currently actively recruiting in the UK. I am excited to lead the company through this next phase of development. The foundation that Theis laid will always be a part of GH Research.”

“It was a great honor to help found GH Research and lead its mission, and I look forward to seeing how the company continues to advance its cause,” said outgoing CEO Dr. Terwey.

About GH Research PLC

GH Research PLC is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. GH Research PLC is initially focused on developing novel and proprietary mebufotenine (5-MeO-DMT) therapies for the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

GH Research PLC’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2023 is available at www.ghres.com, and shareholders may obtain a paper copy free of charge upon request.

Forecast statements

This press release contains statements that are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial condition, business strategy, product candidates, medical devices required to deliver these product candidates, research process, ongoing and currently planned preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory filings and approvals and their impact on our business strategy, including our plans and expectations related to resolving the clinical hold on the GH001 IND, research and development costs, cash, timing and likelihood of success, and management’s plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appear in numerous places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based, except as required by applicable law. We make no representations or warranties (express or implied) as to the accuracy of such forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations:
Julie Ryan
GH PLC Research
[email protected]