Race appoints Professor Michael Kelso as Principal Scientist

20 May 2021 – Race Oncology Limited (“Race”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Michael Kelso as Principal Scientist. Prof Kelso will be responsible for providing scientific leadership, developing, managing, and implementing Race’s preclinical and clinical research programs in collaboration with Race’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Daniel Tillett and Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Fuller.

An internationally experienced researcher, Prof Kelso brings a deep understanding of drug chemistry, formulation and development. His more than 25 years of R&D experience spans a wide range of areas in medicinal chemistry, including oncology, antimicrobial drug development and drug formulation. Prof Kelso has published 69 scientific research papers and 7 patents and has attracted 18 grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC), Australian Research Council (ARC), and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as industry and charity foundations.

Prof Kelso will join Race Oncology on 12 July 2021 from University of Wollongong, where he was the Professor of Medicinal Chemistry. Prior to his appointment at the University of Wollongong, Prof Kelso was a NH&MRC CJ Martin Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA.

“This is an important appointment for Race as Michael brings significant scientific experience and capability. Michael has been a highly successful researcher and I look forward to working with him on the execution of our Three Pillar strategy and maximising the significant opportunities we have ahead for Bisantrene in the lab and clinic.”

Race Oncology CSO Dr Daniel Tillett

“I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Race at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company. Capitalising on Bisantrene’s exquisite FTO inhibitory properties and delivering major clinical impacts across multiple cancer types is a powerful motivator for a career drug hunter like me.”

Prof Michael Kelso

Prof Kelso holds a Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (First Class Honours) from the University of Wollongong and a PhD from University of Queensland. He is a member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the American Chemical Society.