IsomAb Taps Biotech Veterans to Tackle Chronic Angina With Novel Therapy

NOTTINGHAM, England – March 18, 2026 – UK biotechnology firm IsomAb Ltd. has installed a new leadership team of seasoned industry veterans, signaling a pivotal shift from foundational research to clinical development and high-stakes fundraising. The company has appointed Dr. Philip Brainin as Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Anker Lundemose as Chair of the Board, tasking them with advancing a potentially revolutionary treatment for chronic heart disease into human trials and securing a significant Series A investment.

At the heart of this strategic maneuver is ISM-001, a novel antibody therapeutic designed to offer a disease-modifying solution for chronic stable angina (CSA), a debilitating condition stemming from inadequate blood flow to the heart that affects an estimated nine million people in the United States alone. The appointments position IsomAb to capitalize on what it describes as exceptionally strong preclinical data and tackle one of modern cardiology's most persistent unmet needs.

A New Guard for a New Horizon

The selection of Dr. Brainin and Dr. Lundemose appears meticulously tailored to IsomAb's next phase of growth. Dr. Brainin is a physician-scientist whose career uniquely spans the gap between the clinic and the venture capital world. With extensive training and practice in clinical cardiology, he brings firsthand knowledge of the limitations of current angina treatments. This clinical perspective is paired with experience as a venture investor, where he has evaluated and guided early-stage therapeutic companies, shaping strategies to secure financing and forge partnerships.

"With my background in cardiology, I see every day how limited our options are for patients with ischaemic disease," Dr. Brainin stated, underscoring his motivation. His dual expertise is seen as critical for translating complex science into a viable clinical and commercial product.

Complementing Dr. Brainin's role is the appointment of Dr. Anker Lundemose as Chair. A highly respected biotech leader, Dr. Lundemose has a formidable track record in creating value and engineering successful investor exits. His career includes senior leadership roles at OSI Pharmaceuticals, which was sold to Astellas Pharma for $4 billion, and a history of steering companies like Prosidion and Mission Therapeutics through critical growth phases. With involvement in six biotech M&As and IPOs, his appointment sends a strong signal to the investment community about IsomAb's ambitions.

"With strong preclinical results, a clear translational plan through clinical proof of concept, and Philip's appointment as CEO, I believe IsomAb offers a major Series A investment opportunity," commented Dr. Lundemose. His role will be crucial in orchestrating the upcoming fundraise and guiding the company's corporate strategy towards a successful outcome.

Releasing the Brakes on Heart Disease

IsomAb's approach diverges significantly from existing treatments, which primarily manage symptoms rather than addressing the underlying pathology. Chronic stable angina occurs when atherosclerotic plaques narrow the coronary arteries, restricting oxygen-rich blood flow. Current medications and surgical interventions like stents or bypass surgery can alleviate symptoms, but a substantial number of patients remain symptomatic or are not candidates for invasive procedures.

IsomAb's ISM-001 aims to fundamentally change this paradigm. The therapy is the culmination of foundational research into a protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) by the company's founders, Professors David Bates and Steve Harper. While VEGF has long been known to promote the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), previous therapeutic attempts have had limited success. The breakthrough research from the Universities of Nottingham and Bristol identified a specific version, or isoform, of the protein, VEGF-A165b, that acts as a natural inhibitor of blood vessel growth.

In ischemic disease, the body produces high levels of this inhibitory isoform, effectively putting the brakes on its own repair mechanisms. ISM-001 is a precision-engineered antibody designed to specifically target and neutralize VEGF-A165b. As Dr. Brainin explains, this approach "removes the brakes on angiogenesis that are applied in ischemic disease, allowing blood vessels to grow, remodel and create durable new arteries." Preclinical studies in severe ischemic disease models have reportedly shown a complete restoration of blood flow, supporting the claim that ISM-001 could be a truly disease-modifying therapy.

The Multi-Million Patient Problem

The potential market and human impact for a successful angina therapy are immense. The nine million U.S. patients with CSA represent just a fraction of the global burden. For these individuals, the condition manifests as chest pain or discomfort, often triggered by physical exertion or stress, severely limiting daily activities, from climbing stairs to carrying groceries. This constant physical limitation erodes quality of life and leads to significant healthcare costs from hospitalizations and ongoing medical care.

Despite a multi-billion dollar market for angina treatments, a significant unmet need persists. A large portion of patients continue to experience symptoms despite optimal medical therapy, and many are not suitable candidates for revascularization procedures. For IsomAb, this large, undertreated population represents a clear and compelling case for a novel therapeutic that offers more than just symptom relief.

The Path to Clinic and Capital

With its new leadership team in place, IsomAb is focused on two immediate, intertwined objectives: advancing ISM-001 into Phase 1 clinical trials and securing the capital to do so. The company is building on the momentum from a £7.5 million (approx. $9.4 million) seed financing round closed in early 2024, which was led by the specialist cardiovascular investor Broadview Ventures.

That funding was intended to complete the necessary preclinical work and prepare for regulatory filings. Now, the company is preparing for a substantially larger Series A round to fund the complex and expensive process of human clinical trials. The journey for a novel cardiovascular biologic is notoriously challenging, with high costs and significant regulatory hurdles. However, the combined experience of Dr. Brainin in clinical translation and Dr. Lundemose in corporate development and financing is designed to de-risk this path as much as possible. With its leadership team secured and a clear scientific target, IsomAb is now positioned to translate its groundbreaking preclinical findings into a potential new reality for patients with ischemic heart disease.