Vectus Biosystems Limited (ASX:VBS) has appointed Professor Tamera Corte as Chief Clinical Advisor, with an initial focus on the company's lead antifibrotic candidate, VB0004, in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a filing dated 9 November 2026.

Key Points

  • Professor Tamera Corte appointed as Chief Clinical Advisor, with responsibilities including advising on clinical trial design, patient selection, clinically relevant endpoints and engagement with investigators.
  • Professor Corte is Director of Interstitial Lung Disease at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney.
  • She has served as principal investigator in more than 40 commercially-sponsored ILD clinical trials and co-established the Pulmonary Fibrosis Australasian Clinical Trials Network.
  • The appointment supports preparations for a planned adaptive Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial of VB0004 in IPF; Vectus has completed Phase Ia studies.

Professor Corte's Roles and Clinical Experience

Professor Tamera Corte is a respiratory physician and clinical researcher with extensive experience in interstitial lung disease, including IPF. She holds the position of Director of Interstitial Lung Disease at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney. She is also Chair of the Australasian Interstitial Lung Disease Registry and a member of national and international committees involved in ILD clinical trials and treatment guidelines. Professor Corte co-established the Pulmonary Fibrosis Australasian Clinical Trials Network and is a lead investigator of the Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Responsibilities as Chief Clinical Advisor at Vectus

In her role as Chief Clinical Advisor, Professor Corte will provide clinical and strategic advice on Vectus' development programmes, with an initial focus on VB0004 in IPF. Her proposed responsibilities include advising on clinical trial design, patient selection, clinically relevant endpoints, and engagement with investigators. The company's CEO and CTO, Dr Tara Speranza, stated that Professor Corte's experience in treating patients with pulmonary fibrosis and evaluating investigational therapies would be valuable as the company prepares for the next stage of VB0004's clinical development.

VB0004 Development Status and US Regulatory Pathway

VB0004 is described in the filing as a small-molecule vasoactive intestinal peptide mimetic and natriuretic peptide receptor C agonist. Vectus has completed Phase Ia studies, with a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with once-daily oral dosing, according to the filing. The company is also progressing the US regulatory pathway for VB0004. As disclosed on 30 September 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration granted Vectus' request for a pre-Investigational New Drug Type B meeting, with written responses on the proposed IPF development programme expected by mid-November 2026.