Paradigm strengthens medical leadership ahead of Phase 3 readout
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals has appointed Dr Daniel Furtner as Chief Medical Officer, effective 16 September 2026. Dr Furtner succeeds Dr Donna Skerrett, who transitions to Senior Scientific Advisor, ensuring continuity of expertise as the company advances its clinical evidence package for injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS; Zilosul®) and prepares for future regulatory submissions.
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Dr Furtner’s credentials and what he brings to Paradigm
Dr Furtner’s background closely aligns with Paradigm’s current development priorities, particularly as the Phase 3 program shifts from recruitment to evidence generation.
Career and qualifications highlights:
- Over 20 years of leadership experience across life sciences and healthcare
- Most recently served as Senior Director of Medical Affairs (Asia Pacific) at CSL, based in Melbourne
- Previously held roles of increasing responsibility at Abbott/AbbVie and Janssen across Europe, Asia and Australia
- Therapeutic focus spans rheumatology, immunology and joint diseases, mapping directly to Paradigm’s osteoarthritis program
- Led international clinical studies and educational programs in support of patients, caregivers and nurses
- Holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of Vienna; completed residency at Klinik Donaustadt and the Lorenz Böhler Trauma Centre
- Holds a Master of Business Administration in general management from Danube Business School, Krems, Austria
Paul Rennie, Executive Chairman
“Daniel brings extensive international pharmaceutical experience and deep therapeutic knowledge in rheumatology and joint diseases. His experience in medical affairs and international clinical studies will be valuable as we advance our Phase 3 program and develop the evidence package to support future regulatory submissions. Having Daniel lead our medical strategy, with Donna’s continued scientific support, provides a strong foundation for this next stage.”
Dr Skerrett’s legacy and her continuing role
Dr Skerrett has served as Paradigm’s Chief Medical Officer since September 2019, playing a central role in shaping the company’s clinical and regulatory development strategy over that period.
Her most significant contribution has been leading the execution of the global Phase 3 PARAOA012 trial, which completed recruitment with 538 participants across the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Moldova. Rather than departing, she continues with the company as Senior Scientific Advisor, where she will apply her extensive knowledge of iPPS to support Dr Furtner and the clinical team through the next stage.
Phase 3 enrolment completion came with 538 participants across 65 clinical sites in four countries, surpassing the original 466-participant target and locking in an Interim Analysis for September 2026 with top-line results expected in Q1 2027.
Dr Donna Skerrett
“…Completing recruitment into PARAOA012 has been one of the proudest achievements of my career. It reflects the extraordinary commitment of our clinical team, investigators, partners and, above all, the participants and their families.”
“I remain fully committed to Paradigm and excited by the potential of iPPS. I look forward to supporting Daniel through a seamless transition and continuing to contribute as Senior Scientific Advisor as we generate the clinical and scientific evidence that will guide the program’s next steps.”
What iPPS and the Phase 3 program mean for investors
iPPS (injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium), marketed under the brand name Zilosul®, is a subcutaneous treatment targeting inflammation and tissue regeneration. Paradigm is developing it primarily for osteoarthritis (Phase 3) and mucopolysaccharidosis (Phase 2).
Phase 3 is the final large-scale human trial stage in the drug development lifecycle before a company can seek regulatory approval. Completing this stage successfully is the key prerequisite for a formal regulatory submission to bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The Phase 3 journey — where Paradigm stands:
- Trial design and regulatory preparation (complete)
- Patient recruitment — 538 participants enrolled (complete)
- Clinical evidence generation (current phase)
- Regulatory submission preparation (next milestone)
The significance of this leadership transition lies in the profile Dr Furtner brings. A CMO with deep medical affairs and international clinical study experience is well suited to the shift from trial execution to assembling the evidence package required for regulatory submission.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug candidate | iPPS (Zilosul®) |
| Trial | PARA_OA_012 (Phase 3) |
| Indication | Osteoarthritis |
| Participants enrolled | 538 |
| Sites | US, Australia, Hong Kong, Moldova |
Leadership continuity as the program enters its next stage
The structure Paradigm has put in place, with Dr Furtner leading medical strategy and Dr Skerrett continuing as Senior Scientific Advisor, represents a deliberate approach to knowledge retention at a consequential point in the program. The company retains the institutional knowledge accumulated through years of trial design and execution while adding the regulatory and medical affairs expertise required for the next phase.
For investors, the picture is a late-stage biotech with a fully recruited Phase 3 trial and a purpose-built medical leadership team now focused on generating the clinical and scientific evidence that will guide the program toward regulatory submission. As noted in Paradigm’s FY26 Annual Report, this transition reflects the program’s progression rather than a change in strategic direction.
Pro forma cash runway of approximately $45 million following the upsized $14 million placement is expected to fund Paradigm’s operations through to the end of CY2026, covering the Phase 3 interim analysis without requiring additional dilutive equity under the current plan.
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