Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNRX) has appointed Sally Lawlor as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, as the company advances its lead product candidate QRX003 through pivotal clinical studies and prepares for potential commercialization. The strategic leadership appointment positions the company to navigate the financial complexities of transitioning from clinical-stage development to revenue generation.
Experienced Financial Leadership for Critical Phase
Lawlor brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience across public and private companies, with particular expertise in pharmaceutical finance and multinational operations. In her most recent role as Senior Director - Group Tax at Sebela Pharmaceuticals, she managed financial reporting under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, oversaw global tax planning and compliance, and led budgeting, forecasting, and external audit processes.
Prior to Sebela, Lawlor served in senior tax leadership positions at Aptiv Plc and spent over a decade at KPMG advising multinational clients, primarily in the pharmaceutical sector. As a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and member of the Irish Taxation Institute, she brings compliance-focused expertise to Quoin's financial operations.
According to CEO Dr. Michael Myers, Lawlor's experience in commercial-stage finance and global tax strategy will be instrumental in managing the financial complexities of transitioning to a revenue-generating entity, including optimizing capital allocation, navigating regulatory filings, and ensuring robust financial reporting as Quoin prepares for a potential New Drug Application in 2026.
QRX003 Pipeline Progress and Regulatory Advantages
Quoin is currently conducting two pivotal clinical studies for QRX003, a topical rapamycin treatment for Netherton Syndrome, a rare genetic skin disorder with no approved therapies. The registrational studies include one evaluating QRX003 as monotherapy and another in combination with off-label systemic therapy, conducted across sites in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
Full enrollment is expected in early to mid-Q1 2026, with top-line data anticipated in early 2027. The trials are designed to assess efficacy in endpoints including Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and pruritus reduction.
QRX003 has secured significant regulatory advantages, including Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency, granting 10 years of market exclusivity in Europe, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA, which could provide a Priority Review Voucher. These incentives reduce regulatory costs and accelerate approval timelines.
Commercialization Strategy and Financial Position
Quoin plans to self-commercialize QRX003 in the U.S., Western Europe, and Japan, while leveraging nine global partnerships to expand access to 61 countries. The company has launched the NETHERTON NOW awareness campaign, featuring patient and clinician testimonials to support market education in the rare disease space.
As of June 30, 2025, the company reported $7.8 million in cash and equivalents, sufficient to fund operations into Q1 2026. The company has streamlined its pipeline by discontinuing lower-priority programs QRX007 and QRX004 to focus resources on QRX003 and its rapamycin platform for other rare dermatologic conditions.
Expanded Pipeline Opportunities
Beyond Netherton Syndrome, Quoin is advancing development programs for Peeling Skin Syndrome and a novel topical rapamycin platform targeting a range of rare dermatologic diseases. Early data from a Peeling Skin Syndrome trial in New Zealand showed promising results, suggesting potential for label expansion.
The market for Netherton Syndrome is estimated to generate annual revenues of $50-70 million if QRX003 captures significant market share, with broader label expansions potentially diversifying revenue streams further. However, the path to commercialization involves risks including trial delays, regulatory hurdles, and potential competition from emerging therapies.
