INOVIQ announces CEO transition as Chairman steps in as Executive Chair
INOVIQ Limited (ASX:IIQ), a biotechnology company developing next-generation exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutics, announced a planned leadership change on 23 October 2026. The Board and CEO Dr Leearne Hinch have “mutually agreed” that she will step down from the role on 27 October 2026.
Chairman Peter Gunzburg will assume the role of Executive Chair on an interim basis, receiving no additional remuneration. The company is conducting an executive search for a new CEO and will advise the market of an appointment “in due course”.
Key transition details
- Departing CEO: Dr Leearne Hinch, effective 27 October 2026
- Interim: Peter Gunzburg, Executive Chair, no additional remuneration
- Next step: executive search for a new CEO
- Strategy update: Annual General Meeting, 25 November 2026
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What Dr Hinch built over 10 years
In his comments, Mr Gunzburg said that over the past 10 years the business had evolved from a single asset early-stage technology into a company with 2 products in market, 2 products in later stage development and 1 in early development. The announcement does not name the products.
| Stage | Number of products |
| In market | 2 |
| Later stage development | 2 |
| Early development | 1 |
The Board said it remains confident in “the foundations established for INOVIQ’s next phase”, which points to continuity in the pipeline through the handover.
Peter Gunzburg, Chairman
“Over the past 10 years, Leearne has made a significant contribution to INOVIQ’s development…”
Dr Leearne Hinch, CEO
“…proud of what we have achieved together in advancing the business towards important development and commercialisation milestones…”
The announcement describes the change as a “planned leadership transition” and gives no reasons for the departure beyond the mutual agreement.
Understanding exosome diagnostics and why leadership matters
Exosomes are tiny particles released by cells that carry biological information. This makes them useful for detecting and treating disease.
INOVIQ’s portfolio, as described in the announcement, includes commercial-stage exosome isolation products, a clinical-stage diagnostic for early detection of ovarian cancer, and a preclinical CAR-exosome therapeutic program for solid tumours.
The clinical-stage ovarian cancer diagnostic now sits within a four-stage US commercialisation roadmap, with assay optimisation under way and a laboratory developed test launch targeted after the first half of 2028.
A company moving from development toward commercialisation depends on strong execution, so the choice of a permanent CEO is a point for investors to watch.
What investors can watch next
The CEO search continues, with an appointment to be announced at a time the company has not disclosed. The company has completed its recent review and will update the market on its plans for the future at the Annual General Meeting on 25 November 2026. The announcement does not detail the review’s findings.
The company’s recent review followed an ovarian cancer study reset driven by sample-quality problems at third-party biorepositories, though management maintained that the underlying test science and cash position remained intact.
Key catalysts include:
- Effective handover on 27 October 2026
- Strategy update at the AGM on 25 November 2026
- New CEO appointment announcement
The announcement does not disclose any severance terms, the search timeline or financial position.
Don’t Miss the Next Biotech and Healthcare Mover
Join 20,000+ investors getting FREE breaking ASX news delivered to their inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to receive real-time alerts the moment market-moving healthcare announcements land, before the wider market reacts.