Enterprise Therapeutics is developing novel disease-modifying therapies which target the underlying mechanisms of mucus congestion, to enhance the clearance of mucus from the airways, restore lung function, and ultimately to reduce morbidity and mortality in chronic respiratory diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF).

Dr Morris joins Enterprise from the Novartis Venture Fund, an investor in Enterprise, where he is currently a Managing Director, and where he will maintain an appointment as an Operating Partner. Prior to his career in venture capital David held various leadership roles in the Novartis Pharmaceuticals development organisation, including Development Franchise Head of Respiratory, Development Franchise Head of Primary Care, and Global Head of Clinical Operations, Analytics and Regions, where he was responsible for all aspects of global clinical trials operations, monitoring, and reporting. In addition, David has also held Director level roles in respiratory discovery research and translational medicine at Roche.

Dr Morris received his Bachelors and Medical Degrees with distinction from the University of Rochester. His clinical training in internal medicine and pulmonary and critical care medicine were at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco. Before joining industry, he held faculty appointments and led basic and translational research programs at University of California, San Francisco and Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr John Ford, CEO, Enterprise Therapeutics, said: “The knowledge and experience David has gained through his successful career in biopharmaceutical discovery and development, as well as his stellar sector expertise in respiratory biology, will be an invaluable asset as we work to define our strategy to progress our respiratory programmes which will initially focus on CF.”

Dr David Morris, CMO, Enterprise Therapeutics, said: “Enterprise’s programs show great potential to deliver disease-modifying, clinically effective candidates for a significant number of patients with respiratory diseases, including all CF patients regardless of underlying mutations. I am excited to become more closely involved with the team moving forward, at this exciting point in the Company’s development.”