At the heart of Cellestial Health is a constellation of brilliant minds: our dedicated core team, world-class scientific advisory board, and visionary funders, all working in harmony to propel our mission forward.
Each quarter, we convene with our board and investors to share updates on the preclinical progress of our lead candidate, keeping them aligned with the groundbreaking developments on our horizon.
Just as the stars guide us, our collective expertise and collaborations illuminate the path toward transformative therapies for Parkinson’s and beyond.
Our Board of Directors
Dr Nat Hastings
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Nat Hastings has over 10 years of experience in clinical research and bioengineering at the University of Cambridge with specialist knowledge in astrocytic network biology and Parkinson’s disease. Grant management and equity fundraise.
Mr Stephen Grant
Chairman
Stephen Grant, Chairman, executive level international leader with experience in pharma, biotech, and life science, overseeing all stages of business growth from early fundraising to successful exit strategies.
Dr Emilie Syed
Director
Dr Emilie Syed is a Zinc director with nearly a decade of experience building and investing in science-led ventures from inception through to Series A. With a background in neuroscience, Emilie combines deep scientific expertise with the hands-on knowledge of venture investment, commercialisation, and company building.
Our Management Team
Dr Nat Hastings
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Nat Hastings has over 10 years of experience in clinical research and bioengineering at the University of Cambridge with specialist knowledge in astrocytic network biology and Parkinson’s disease. Grant management and equity fundraise.
Dr Shawn Manning
Finance & Operations
Dr Shawn Manning’s career spans >30 years in life sciences overseeing multiple aspects of corporate strategy planning, governance, and operations management. He brings experience in financial planning and modelling with a focus on medical research.
Dr Lewis Pennicott
Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Lewis Pennicott is a medicinal chemist with over 20 years’ experience across biotech, academic and CRO environments. He has led small-molecule programmes from hit discovery through to lead optimisation and candidate selection. Lewis brings deep expertise in complex synthesis, SAR-driven design and collaborative drug discovery to support the development of novel therapies for neurological disease.
Our Scientific Advisory Board
Professor Malu Tansey
Parkinson’s and Inflammation Adviser
Prof Tansey, Parkinson’s Adviser, James A. Caplin MD, Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease, Professor of Neurology, Director of Neuroimmunology Research & Executive Associate Director of Education at Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine. She is an expert in the inflammatory aspects driving Parkinson’s disease.
Professor Maria Grazia Spillantini
Parkinson’s Modelling Adviser
Prof Grazia Spillantini, Parkinson’s Adviser and Professor of Molecular Neurology at University of Cambridge, is a pioneer of alpha-synuclein research that described how abnormal protein misfolding contributes to cell dysfunction and demise in Parkinson’s.
Dr Jonathan Brotchie
Parkinson’s Drug Translation Adviser
Dr Brotchie, Parkinson’s Adviser, a co-founder and Chairman of Atuka Inc specialising in advanced preclinical Parkison’s models and translatability of disease mechanisms from models to clinic. He has led translational research that supported the advancement of 14 drug candidates to clinical studies.
Dr John Skidmore,
Pharmacology Adviser
Dr John Skidmore, Chief Scientific Officer, Alborada Drug Discovery Institute at Cambridge, offers advice in medicinal chemistry and biodistribution assessments of pharmaceuticals.
Dr Shaun McNulty,
Drug Development Adviser
Dr Shaun McNulty is a biochemist with over 25 years’ experience leading drug discovery, including 12 years as a biotechnology CSO. He has led programmes from hit discovery through candidate selection and clinical development. Shaun brings deep expertise in preclinical development, translational strategy and building high-performing global R&D units to support the development of novel therapies for neurological disease.
Professor Claire Thompson
Formulation Adviser
Prof Claire Thompson, formulation expert and entrepreneur, supporting drug development through multiple milestones and ensuring translational viability.
Our Business Advisers
Mr Martyn Postle
Licencing Adviser
Martyn Postle is a Senior Director who has worked in and for the life science sector for over 40 years with a network in Europe, USA, Asia, and the Middle East. He has a track record of building successful businesses from the ground up.
Mr Toby Wilson Waterworth
Corporate and Strategic Adviser
Toby Wilson Waterworth, Business Adviser, an internationally experienced Board member and senior executive with broad experience of developing biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies as well as navigating regulatory pathways to bring drugs to market, with a track record of previous success.
Ms Ro Gardner
Operations Adviser
Ro Gardner, Operations Adviser, expert in logistics, management, governance, business administration, and communications with a specific focus on companies at earlier stages of growth.
Our Funders & Partners
Our Professional Organisation Membership
