Recce Pharmaceuticals (ASX:RCE) Announces Passing of Founder Dr Graham Melrose

In a recent ASX announcement, Recce Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:RCE) confirmed with profound sadness the passing of its founder and the inventor of its technology platform, Dr Graham Melrose. His pioneering work in polymer chemistry established the company as a key player in the global effort to combat antibiotic resistance, leaving a significant legacy in medical science.

Established in 2007, Recce Pharmaceuticals was born from Dr Melrose’s vision to address the critical challenge of antimicrobial resistance. This update for investors acknowledges his foundational contributions, which have earned recognition from global health bodies, including the World Health Organisation and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Who Was Dr Graham Melrose?

Dr Graham JH Melrose BSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, FRACI, CChem and FAICD was a recognised veteran of the biotechnology sector, combining decades of scientific excellence with strong business leadership. His career demonstrated considerable breadth, spanning academic research, pharmaceutical industry management, and entrepreneurial innovation.

His professional experience included serving for eight years as Executive Director and Head of Research at Johnson & Johnson (Asia Pacific), where he directed significant research initiatives. Furthermore, his academic roles included serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and conducting visiting research at both Oxford and Munich Universities. His dual fellowships with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Australian Institute of Company Directors highlighted his expertise in both scientific research and corporate governance.

How is Recce Pharmaceuticals Addressing the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis?

Recce Pharmaceuticals founder Dr Graham Melrose established the company to combat the urgent global health threat of antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organisation has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten global public health threats, with drug-resistant infections causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually worldwide.

Dr Melrose’s innovative approach centred on developing synthetic anti-infectives. This method was designed to overcome the resistance mechanisms bacteria develop against traditional antibiotics. Under his guidance, Recce evolved from a concept into an internationally recognised, publicly listed company focused on synthetic polymer technologies for both bacterial and viral infections.

What is the Intellectual Property Foundation of Recce’s Technology?

Dr Melrose successfully guided the company in building a robust intellectual property portfolio, securing more than 40 granted patents across major global pharmaceutical markets. This portfolio provides a substantial competitive advantage by protecting the company’s unique synthetic polymer technologies in jurisdictions like the United States, Europe, and Australia.

The patents cover various aspects of the platform, including molecular compositions, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic applications. Dr Melrose retired from the Board in 2021 after establishing this foundation, but he remained the company’s largest shareholder, showing his continued belief in the technology he invented.

What Does Recce’s Clinical Pipeline Involve?

The RECCE® portfolio features three patented, broad-spectrum synthetic polymer anti-infectives developed from the pioneering research of Recce Pharmaceuticals founder Dr Graham Melrose.

• RECCE® 327 (R327): An intravenous and topical therapy for serious infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is the only synthetic polymer and sepsis drug candidate listed on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Global New Antibiotics in Development Pipeline.
• RECCE® 435 (R435): An orally administered therapy designed for bacterial infections, offering a convenient alternative to intravenous treatments.
• RECCE® 529 (R529): A therapy targeting viral infections, showcasing the platform’s versatility beyond bacterial pathogens.

What International Recognition Has the Technology Received?

Recce’s innovative technology has received significant acknowledgement from leading global health and regulatory bodies.

The World Health Organisation has included R327, R435, and R529 in its list of antibacterial products in clinical development. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted R327 Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation, which provides Fast Track status and 10 years of market exclusivity upon approval.

This technology platform was designed by Recce Pharmaceuticals founder Dr Graham Melrose with multi-layered mechanisms of action to overcome how bacteria and viruses typically develop resistance. By interacting with bacterial cells through multiple simultaneous methods, such as disrupting cell membranes and interfering with metabolic processes, the synthetic polymers make it significantly more difficult for resistance to emerge.

What are Recce’s Manufacturing Capabilities?

Recce Pharmaceuticals wholly owns its automated manufacturing facilities, supporting its clinical trials and reducing reliance on third-party contractors. This strategic decision, reflecting the founder’s vision, offers several key advantages.

Direct control over production ensures high-quality standards and adaptable timelines. The scalable nature of the automated systems supports the transition from clinical trial quantities to potential commercial-scale production. Moreover, cost efficiencies are gained through vertical integration, reducing expenses associated with contract manufacturing organisations and providing greater financial control over the development pipeline.

The company is committed to advancing the clinical programmes and continuing the important work initiated by Recce Pharmaceuticals founder Dr Graham Melrose, aiming to provide new solutions for patients with life-threatening infections.

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