Conduit Pharma Gets a New Captain: Andrew Regan Takes Helm as CEO, Replacing Tapolczay

pvt_key_collector · 2026-01-12T15:53:28+00:00

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. has appointed founder Andrew Regan as CEO, succeeding David Tapolczay due to personal reasons. Regan's extensive entrepreneurial background positions him to drive the company's growth, while Tapolczay will remain as Head of Strategy & Licensing.

pvt_key_collector

2026-01-12 15:53:28

Abstract generation in progress

Life sciences company Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CDT) just announced a significant leadership reshuffle. Andrew Regan, the company’s founder and original financial backer, is stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer, taking over from David Tapolczay who is departing the executive position and board due to personal reasons.

What makes this transition noteworthy isn’t just the job change—it’s who Regan is. This guy has quite the track record as an entrepreneur and business builder.

The Man Behind the Move: Andrew Regan’s Entrepreneurial Playbook

Andrew Regan isn’t exactly new to the startup game. At just 29 years old, he orchestrated the sale of Hobson Plc in 1996 through a recommended cash takeover. Fast forward to 2000, and he was instrumental in founding Asos plc, which eventually became a global powerhouse in online fashion and beauty retail.

His portfolio doesn’t stop there. Regan was a founding shareholder in Imperial Energy, which was later acquired by Indian state-owned oil company ONGC Videsh. Perhaps most impressively, in 2014 he earned a PhD focused on developing bio-inspired algorithms for financial market forecasting—a rare blend of academic rigor and entrepreneurial hustle.

Maintaining Continuity While Charting New Directions

David Tapolczay isn’t completely exiting the scene. He’ll remain with Conduit as Head of Strategy & Licensing, which means the company won’t lose institutional knowledge on a critical front: negotiating out-licensing deals for its tapinarof patent portfolio. This arrangement allows for a smoother transition while keeping strategic initiatives intact.

Additionally, the board announced that Faith Charles is stepping down from her director position for personal reasons, though she’s credited with being a valuable advisor and advocate for the company throughout her tenure.

What This Means for Conduit

Bringing Andrew Regan back into the executive driver’s seat signals that Conduit Pharmaceuticals is banking on proven entrepreneurial expertise to navigate its next growth phase. His background in scaling companies, combined with his deep knowledge of the organization’s foundation, positions him to accelerate business development and shareholder value creation.

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