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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
John Poynton
Chair
​John is Co-Founder and Chair of boutique corporate advisory firm, Poynton Stavrianou.
He has decades of experience in investment banking, capital markets and financial services.
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John has served on ASX-listed boards including ASX, Multiplex, Austal and Alinta and on federal government boards including EFIC, the Reserve Bank’s Payments System Board and the Future Fund. Currently, John is Chair of Strike Energy Ltd and a director of Perth Airport Pty Ltd.
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John received a WA Citizen of the Year Award in 2006 and as was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016. He holds a Bachelor and honorary Doctor of Commerce from UWA where he also received a Dean’s Medal.
Dr Maud Eijkenboom
Managing 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.
Brett Rowe
Director
Brett Rowe has >25 years’ experience in financial services and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Accounting.
Brett is a director and CEO of The Bass Group, and a director of The Bass Family Foundation. Brett is responsible for managing the global financial interests of the Bass Family, as well as the Foundation’s ongoing support of education and health in disadvantaged youth in regional Western Australia.
Brett is also a director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI). CERI aims to assist the growth of WA’s non-mining industry through a strong innovation base where high-knowledge start-up company formation can be accelerated. This is achieved through the co-creation of a WA-based venture capital industry.
Aaron Brinkworth
Director
Aaron is a former biopharmaceutical executive with 25 years industry experience. Over a 22-year career at Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), he held senior commercial, patient access and strategic licensing roles. Aaron has led Gilead’s Asia Pacific commercial and access operations where he developed high performing sales, marketing, and distribution networks across the region. Managing geographically dispersed teams and business partners across 31 countries, he is experienced in building strategic partnerships with industry leaders, government officials and non-government organisations. Aaron currently serves as Non-Executive Director for Resonance Health Ltd (ASX: RHT), Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX:RHT) and the Royal Lifesaving Society of Western Australia. He is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors course and holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Executive and Operational Team
Dr Maud Eijkenboom
Managing 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.
Mark Pitts
CFO
Mark Pitts is partner in the advisory firm Endeavour Corporate. He has been directly involved with, and consulted to, a number of public companies holding senior financial management positions. Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with over 25 years of experience in statutory reporting and business administration.​
Kristen Houston
Strategic Projects
Kristen is an experienced project management and business development professional with expertise in technology commercialisation and early-stage life sciences innovation. Kristen leads the strategic projects within Lixa, including the clinical trials and production. She has a BSC (Pharmacology) from the University of Western Australia and spends her spare time training in dance.
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.
Ethan Haese
R&D Officer
Ethan is a molecular microbiologist with five years of experience in the Marshall Centre at the University of Western Australia researching anti-virulence drug targets to combat rising antimicrobial resistance.At Lixa, Ethan is investigating genetic and molecular mechanisms of biofilm prevention and disruption by novel drugs against both pathogenic and environmental bacteria. He enjoys reading and playing video games in his free time.
Kathryn Green
R&D 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.
Cathy Abberton
R&D Officer
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.
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.
Dr Nicolie McCluskey
R&D Officer
Nicolie has over 5 years experience as a molecular microbiologist working with the pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. In her PhD project, Nicolie developed a library of molecular tools and experiments that allowed her to determine the role of a two-component regulatory system in pathogenic Neisseria. At Lixa, Nicolie is helping to expand and develop Lixa’s resistance breaking technology platform. In her free time, Nicolie enjoys travelling, skiing and arts and crafts.
Oscar Hogan
Junior Research Analyst
Oscar is completing a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science and plays a key role in supporting business development at Lixa. By analysing market trends and opportunities, he helps position Lixa for success across diverse industries.
Passionate about bridging science and business, Oscar is driven to deliver insights that create real-world impact. Outside of work, he enjoys surfing and honing his golf game.