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We are Lixa
We are a tribe of passionate biotech professionals
who were frustrated with the seemingly intractable problem of AMR.
We have personally experienced the impact of AMR on our families and friends.
Now we have the ideas and the tools to revolutionise world health.
The Story so far
The invention of the lead technology, NeoX™, originated from a series of experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia that led to the isolation of a potent naturally-occurring antibiofilm molecule. The researchers had been working with clinicians and patients with chronic respiratory infections and limited antibiotic options.
Meanwhile Maud, a veteran in drug development, together with her husband, had been searching for ways to manage a chronic, recalcitrant infection affecting one of their children.
The coming together of this promising technology, deep scientific rigour and business building expertise catalysed the creation of Lixa in 2021. Today, the Lixa team is backed by the substantial scientific and commercial experience of their directors, investors and advisors.
The Board
Martin Bennett
Chairman
Martin is a brilliant strategic thinker and one of Western Australia’s most eminent counsel. Martin’s reputation as one of Perth’s leading and most fearless advocates has been built on a career of considerable achievement across all areas of civil and commercial litigation.
He is a prodigious and respected litigator, having appeared as counsel in over 1,000 decisions across Commonwealth and State Courts and Tribunals. This is a track record spanning four decades that few legal practitioners in Australia can equal.
Dr Maud Eijkenboom
CEO and Director
For 25 years, Dr Eijkenboom has gained international, listed, private and start-up executive experience in the pharmaceutical (including Bayer Healthcare), med-tech, consumer healthcare and cosmetic sectors. Maud has substantial international networks across industry, government and academia. She holds an MSc Psychology and a PhD in neurobiology. She loves hiking with her dogs.
Craig Ridley
CFO and Director
Craig is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and 35 year + veteran of the accounting and business advisory profession. Craig's experience including 22 years as a Partner and Director of RSM Australia and as an Advisory Board Member, Director, CFO and Investor with a reputation for delivering simple, practical, results focused support across all industry sectors.​
Executive and Operational Team
Dr Maud Eijkenboom
CEO and Director
For 25 years, Dr Eijkenboom has gained international, listed, private and start-up executive experience in the pharmaceutical (including Bayer Healthcare), med-tech, consumer healthcare and cosmetic sectors. Maud has substantial international networks across industry, government and academia. She holds an MSc Psychology and a PhD in neurobiology. She loves hiking with her dogs.
Dr Andrew Barker
CSO
Dr Barker has 35 years of experience in life sciences with international corporates and as an R&D executive with bacterial genetics experience across med-tech, pharma and biologics. He successfully developed technologies for VC-funded or listed biotech companies and worked in accounting firms to support the growth of Life Sciences companies. He has strong networks across industry, universities and government. Andrew attempts to grow Australian native trees from seed in his spare time.
Craig Ridley
CFO and Director
Craig is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and 35 year + veteran of the accounting and business advisory profession. Craig's experience including 22 years as a Partner and Director of RSM Australia and as an Advisory Board Member, Director, CFO and Investor with a reputation for delivering simple, practical, results focused support across all industry sectors.​
Kristen Houston
Strategic Projects
Kristen is an experienced program lead and project manager in the area of technology commercialisation and early-stage innovation, having led programs at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation as well as Perth Biodesign. She has a BSC (Pharmacology) from the University of Western Australia and spends her spare time training in dance.
Dr Matthew Wee-Peng Poh
R&D Officer
Matthew specialises in biofilm structures and teasing apart the interplay of bacteria and viruses. His doctorate, from the University of Western Australia, investigated pathogenic polymicrobial biofilm colonies. As our R&D officer, Matthew is focused on expanding and developing Lixa's anti-biofilm technology platforms.
Virginia Castro
Quality Manager
Virginia has more than 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and medical devices sectors in Australia and overseas. She has a MSc in Biotechnology, from the University of Western Australia, and a MSc in Technology and Hygiene of Food. As our Quality Manager, Virginia is focused on the Quality during the development and future commercialization of Lixa’s products. She loves dancing.
Dr Bikash Manandhar
Discovery Research Officer
Dr Manandhar holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales, Sydney. He has over 6 years of research experience in molecular and cellular biology and 2 years experience as an industrial pharmacist. He has conducted preclinical mechanistic investigations on several bioactive compounds for the prevention/treatment of cardiometabolic diseases and chronic respiratory diseases. At Lixa, Bikash performs antibiofilm drug discovery, screening and product development activities using 2D and 3D bacterial biofilm models. He likes hiking and bush-walking to unwind.
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Ethan Haese
Research Assistant
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Kathryn Green
Research Officer
Kathryn has six years of experience investigating naturally occurring antimicrobials. At the University of Western Australia, she worked to uncover the antimicrobial effect of Western Australian honey and develop new methods of quantifying its antibacterial activity.
At Lixa, Kathryn is investigating the interaction between new and established antimicrobials against planktonic (free-floating) bacteria. She has a Masters degree in Clinical Pathology from UWA and specialised in Infectious Diseases. In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys playing video games and painting.
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Cathy Abberton
Research Assistant
Cathy has over 10 years of experience as a Research Scientist with a primary focus on antimicrobial development and environmental microbiology. She has an MSc (by Research) from the University of Galway, Ireland where she developed molecular tools to detect contaminants in water, before getting into the field of antimicrobial discovery, development, and AMR.
At Lixa, Cathy is examining potential synergistic interactions between novel and existing antimicrobials and screening against pathogens. She enjoys cooking & travelling in her free time.