OKYO Pharma Limited (LON:OKYO) has appointed a chairman and a new chief executive.
Industry veteran Dr Gary Jacob will assume the role of CEO, taking over from Willy Simon, who will become a senior non-executive director.
Gabriele Cerrone, the executive chairman of fast-growing drug developer Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (NASDAQ:TLSA, LON:TILS) is taking the chair of OKYO, but in a non-exec capacity. He will also head the nominations committee.
Serial entrepreneur Cerrone has taken seven companies to NASDAQ and two to the public market in London.
Jacob, meanwhile, is the co-founder, former CEO and chairman of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:SGYP).
In his 35 years in the industry, he has also held senior positions with a number of young and growing drug developers.
He holds 30 patents and is the co-inventor of two FDA-approved drugs, including treat gastro-intestinal treatment Trulance, which is currently marketed in the US by Bausch Health.