Addex Therapeutics Brings Back Drug Development Veteran Jean-Philippe Rocher to Advance Pipeline

Key Points

• Addex Therapeutics appointed Jean-Philippe Rocher as Head of Pharmaceutical Development and a member of its executive management team.
• Rocher brings more than 30 years of drug-discovery and development experience, including prior leadership roles at Addex and Neurosterix.
• Mikhail “Misha” Kalinichev stepped down as Addex’s Head of Translational Science to focus on his position at Neurosterix.
• Rocher’s return follows Addex’s recovery of rights from Indivior to its GABAB positive allosteric modulator program.
• Addex said several drug candidates are ready to enter clinical development, but did not provide trial timelines, financing details or regulatory milestones.

Addex Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ADXN) has appointed Jean-Philippe Rocher as Head of Pharmaceutical Development and a member of executive management, while Mikhail Kalinichev is stepping down as Head of Translational Science to focus on his role at Neurosterix. The leadership change comes as Addex prepares to advance drug candidates, including its regained GABAB positive allosteric modulator program.

Jean-Philippe Rocher Returns to Lead Addex Pharmaceutical Development

Dr. Rocher brings more than 30 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug-discovery and development experience. He previously helped establish Addex’s chemistry capabilities after joining the company at its inception in 2002, then rejoined in 2018 following a role as CNS Program Director at Pierre Fabre.

Most recently, Rocher was Head of Pharmaceutical Development at Neurosterix, the Addex spinout formed in 2024. Addex said his experience in small-molecule allosteric modulators and its chemistry platform will help guide the next phase of its clinical development plan.

Rocher’s Track Record Includes Addex and Neurosterix Drug Programs

According to Addex, Rocher helped build the company’s small-molecule allosteric-modulator chemistry platform and supported both internal and partnered programs. His prior work included the discovery of dipraglurant and ADX71149, which reached Phase II clinical development.

Addex also said that, under Rocher’s leadership, its team discovered ADX71441, which was recently licensed to Indivior. The company cited his experience at Devgen, GlaxoSmithKline KK, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Battelle and Galderma, as well as more than 50 research publications and patents.

Leadership Appointment Follows GABAB Program Rights Return

Rocher’s appointment follows Addex’s recovery of rights from Indivior to its GABAB positive allosteric modulator, or PAM, program. He said Addex has several drug candidates ready to begin clinical development, though the announcement does not identify specific trial dates, regulatory milestones or funding plans.

For investors, the appointment adds senior development experience as Addex works to advance its pipeline. The change does not itself establish clinical progress or change the risk inherent in early and mid-stage drug development.

Mikhail Kalinichev Steps Down to Focus on Neurosterix

Mikhail “Misha” Kalinichev has left his Addex role as Head of Translational Science to focus on a similar position at Neurosterix. Addex credited him with contributing to its pipeline development and the founding of the Neurosterix spinout.

The announcement does not name a successor for the Head of Translational Science position or specify whether the role will be filled.