Levicept Ltd., a biotechnology company focused on the development of LEVI-04, a treatment for chronic pain indications, appointed Eliot Forster CEO. Founder and inventor of LEVI-04, Simon Westbrook, has been named chief science officer (CSO).

Forster brings more than thirty years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, with experience in deal making and finance.

The appointment strengthens the Levicept leadership team as the company matures through clinical development of LEVI-04 towards the future advancement and commercialization.

Foster was most recently CEO of F-star, a clinical-stage biotech that was acquired by inovX Pharma Ltd. in March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of Immunocore, and previously led the clinical development of several pain medicines, including the COX-2 inhibitors. Alongside his role at Levicept, currently he serves on the boards of Tessellate BIO, Avacta Group, Ochre Bio, Protalix Biotherapeutics, and Immatics NV.

Forster said, “The safe and effective management of chronic pain remains a critical need in medicine. While existing treatments can be effective, their use is often limited by adverse effects, addiction-liabilities, or poor pain control. LEVI-04 has the potential to effectively target the clinically proven neurotrophin pain pathways, but with a superior safety profile. I very much look forward to working with Simon and his team to advance this important program to its completion.”