Dr Martin brings over two decades of leadership in translational science, drug discovery and biotech strategy and entrepreneurship.
Strengthens Link’s position as it advances its proprietary TSG-6-based therapeutic pipeline towards the clinic.
London, UK – 24 February 2026 – Link Biologics (“Link” or “the Company”), the biotech company developing first-in-class TSG-6-based therapies, that have a unique combination of anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective and tissue-reparative properties, today announces the appointment of Dr Niall Martin, PhD, FMedSci, to its Board of Directors. This strategic appointment marks a defining step in the Company’s growth as it accelerates its TSG-6-based therapeutic pipeline towards the clinic.
As an industry pioneer with over two decades of leadership in drug discovery and biotech entrepreneurship, Dr Martin has held several executive roles and led ground-breaking translational work resulting in the development of novel therapies.
During his tenure as CEO and Co-Founder of Artios Therapeutics, Dr Martin raised over £300 million to advance its DNA damage response (DDR) platform including its ATR inhibitor ART0380 and novel Pol theta inhibitor ART6043 into clinical proof-of-concept studies. Prior to this, he co-founded MISSION Therapeutics and helped establish its deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) inhibitor platform, raising over £80 million in Series A and B financing. Earlier in his career, Dr Martin served as Head of KuDOS Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of AstraZeneca), where he co-invented the first-in-class PARP inhibitor olaparib, that was acquired by AstraZeneca and is marketed as Lynparza, the first PARP inhibitor to reach the market and, which went on to become the world’s first marketed DNA-repair-enzyme inhibitor that has now been administered to more than 100,000 patients worldwide.
Reuben Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Link Biologics, commented: “Dr Martin’s deep expertise in translational science, biotech strategy and capital markets makes him an exceptional addition to our Board. His appointment strengthens our strategic direction at a pivotal moment for the Company, supporting our ambition to expand and accelerate our TSG-6-based therapeutic pipeline into the clinic. Dr Martin’s insight and experience perfectly align with Link’s mission to deliver meaningful therapeutic solutions to patients worldwide.”
Dr Niall Martin, newly appointed Board member added: “Inflammatory tissue degenerative diseases remain a major unmet medical need, with many patients lacking effective treatment options. Link Biologics is pioneering a new therapeutic class with its proprietary TSG-6-based therapies, offering a unique mode of action through harnessing and fine tuning the body’s own anti-inflammatory and tissue reparative pathways. I recognise the compelling potential of Link’s approach and look forward to working alongside the accomplished team to advance its TSG-6-based therapies.”
With broad potential across inflammatory and degenerative conditions, Link’s lead programmes are focussed on ophthalmology. Link’s approach is validated by its Dry Eye Disease programme (LB001), which has a fully funded >£200M partnership with Théa Group and is expected to enter the clinic in 2027 with a clear path to key, value-creating, milestones.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Optimum Strategic Communications
Nick Bastin, Eleanor Cooper, Henry Williams
Tel: +44 20 4604 4016
Email: link@optimumcomms.com
About Link Biologics:
Link Biologics is pioneering the development of protein biologics that harness the protective biology of tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) and set new standards of care via multi-pathway modulation of inflammation, tissue protection and repair. With broad potential across inflammatory and degenerative conditions, the Company’s lead programmes focus on Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD); together these represent multi-billion-dollar global markets with significant unmet needs.
Link Biologics’ approach is validated by its DED programme (LB001), which has a fully funded >£200M partnership with Théa Group. Its Wet AMD programme (LB004), which utilises subcutaneous administration rather than intraocular injections, has been accelerated by leveraging outputs from LB001 alongside robust standalone preclinical data. Both programmes are expected to reach the clinic in 2027 with a clear path to key, value-creating, milestones.
Led by a world-class team with decades of academic and commercial experience in TSG-6 biology and drug development, Link Biologics combines deep scientific and pharma leadership with a collaborative, outcome-driven culture, positioning the Company to deliver game-changing therapies.
Harnessing TSG-6 Biology:
The TSG-6 protein has an endogenous role to protect tissues from inflammatory damage and promote repair. Link Biologics’ TSG-6-based therapies have enhanced activities compared to the native protein. Unlike conventional therapies that block single pathways these biologics modulate multiple aspects of disease by combining anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective and tissue-reparative properties. Moreover, they do not act as a simple on/off switch but rather as a biological rheostat, fine-tuning intrinsic pathways to promote tissue repair and regulate inflammation.
