To help meet its aim to become a global leader in psychedelic-assisted therapy, Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) has appointed eminent healthcare leader Greg Hutchinson as independent non-executive chairman.
Hutchison will help bolster EMD’s innovative mental health research and development programs.
As CEO of Sonic HealthPlus for the past 13 years and deputy CEO of S&P/ASX 100 company Sonic Clinical Services, he has significant expertise in scaling frontline health services and research programs.
EMD has already made notable strides in mental health care, providing services to more than 15,000 patients through its subsidiary, Emerald Clinics.
The recent acquisition of the Pax Centre, a leading centre for psychological trauma treatment, further strengthens EMD’s capabilities in frontline service delivery and evidence-based research.
The company is actively engaged in a clinical trial involving MDMA-assisted therapy, underscored by the recent acquisition of patient-ready drug supply in Australia. This development is particularly focused on addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that affects approximately 1 million Australians.
"Incredible opportunity"
"Joining Emyria is an incredible opportunity to lead in a groundbreaking area of mental health treatment – underpinned by world-class research infrastructure and processes. With Australia's landmark decision to legalise MDMA and psilocybin for therapeutic use, we are at the forefront of a major healthcare revolution,” Hutchinson said.
“Emyria's track record in advocacy and accessibility for innovative treatments positions us to lead this new space. I am excited to contribute to a business model that not only promises growth but also has a profound impact on patients' lives."
Clinical care trailblazer
Hutchinson is no stranger to scale-up. Under his tenure, Sonic HealthPlus has established itself as Australia's largest provider of occupational and community medical services.
With a dedicated workforce comprising in excess of 1,800 employees and contractors, the company operates in more than 40 locations across metropolitan, regional and remote areas in every state and territory.
Greg Hutchinson will help EMD to become a global leader in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Sonic HealthPlus is currently serving around 7,000 active clients, including small businesses as well as some of the world's leading corporations across various industry sectors, and holds significant government contracts with major Commonwealth and state agencies.
In addition to his role at Sonic HealthPlus, Hutchinson also serves as the deputy CEO and a director of Sonic Healthcare's clinical services division. This division is a prominent part of Australia's healthcare landscape, employing approximately 5,000 staff members and 2,500 doctors, and is involved with some of the country’s foremost healthcare businesses.
He co-founded 5D Clinics, a Perth-based radiation oncology business known for pioneering radiosurgery using CyberKnife technology. This clinic has gained prominence for its advanced treatment of both malignant and benign tumours, attracting patients from Australia and abroad. Under Hutchinson's guidance, 5D Clinics is now expanding its reach across Australia.
Prior to this, Hutchinson successfully established a chain of private physiotherapy clinics throughout Australia, demonstrating his entrepreneurial flair. This chain later became a part of Sonic HealthPlus, marking another milestone in his career.
In addition to his healthcare ventures, Hutchinson has been contributing to the sports sector as a board member of Tennis Australia since 2015.
Stewart Washer steps down
As Hutchinson steps in, long-time EMD servant Dr Stewart Washer has stepped down from his role as chairman.
Washer will transition to an unpaid advisory role and will continue to offer strategic support to Emyria, leveraging his extensive experience and insights.
"Stewart has been instrumental in our journey so far, laying the foundations of a company committed to personalised therapy and data acquisition to guide the development of innovative treatments to address unmet clinical needs, Emyria CEO and MD Dr Michael Winlo said.
“We are excited to welcome Greg, whose exceptional track record in founding and scaling clinical operations and healthcare management will be pivotal in our next growth phase, particularly in expanding our MDMA-assisted therapy program."
Supporting Emyria's vision
The appointment of Hutchinson is anticipated to significantly bolster Emyria's focus on developing scalable delivery models for new treatments, alongside the collection of real-world data to foster continuous innovation and therapy development.
This strategic move aligns perfectly with Emyria's objectives and is further strengthened by the recent addition of US-based healthcare executive Dr Mohit Kaushal to the board.
Dr Kaushal's expertise in rapidly scaling tech-enabled clinical services is in harmony with Emyria's forward-looking vision, making this duo a formidable force in advancing the company's goals.