About

The foundation of Glutagen’s innovation

Glutagen is a biopharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, Australia. With evidence-based innovation at our core, we specialise in the development and commercialisation of novel therapeutics to enhance and support the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of the community with gluten related disorders.

By understanding the intricacies and challenges of living a gluten free lifestyle and coupling this with clinical evidence and expert research in enzyme therapy, Glutagen provides practical solutions with the highest quality products to empower the gluten free community.

The values we stand for

Transforming Lifestyles

Enhance, support, and empower the community with Coeliac Disease and gluten related disorders.

Passionate Professionals

Collaboration of dedicated experts in gluten related disorders and enzyme therapy.

Unconventional Troubleshooting

Identifying problems and pioneering new solutions.

Factually Driven

Scientifically supported and evidence-based approach.

Our leadership team

Glutagen is led by a passionate team united in their mission to advance gluten science through innovative research and technology. Together, we are building strong connections, fostering understanding, and facilitating education within our community.

Ezequiel Peña

Chief Executive Officer

Stuart Jebb

Chief Revenue Officer

Cass Green

Product manager

Dr. James Rothel

Director

John Bennetts

Director

Our medical advisory committee

Comprising of renowned experts and key opinion leaders in gluten-related disorders and inflammatory diseases, our committee guide our strategic direction on research, technology development, and improving the wellbeing of individuals with gluten-related disorders. 

Prof. Finlay Macrae AO (Chair)

Gastroenterologist

Dr Kim Faulkner-Hogg

Adv Accredited Practising Dietitian

Prof. Nick Talley

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Sue Hookey

General Practitioner

Prof. Rupert Leong

Gastroenterologist

A/Prof. Simon R. Knowles

Associate Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology & Clinical Psychologist

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Our history

The foundation of our understanding

Glutagen is the culmination of decades of Australian clinical and scientific research. The early work by Professor Hugh Cornell in illustrating the biochemical composition of gluten has been instrumental for today’s understanding of gluten’s toxicity in gluten-related disorders.

Prof. Hugh Cornell OAM

Co-Inventor

Dr. Ted Stelmasiak

Co-Inventor

The genesis of an innovative idea

Professor Hugh Cornell, a former Professor of Biological Chemistry at the RMIT University and Dr. Teodor Stelmasiak a veterinary pathologist with over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical research, hypothesised a novel concept: delivering the right enzyme to the gastrointestinal tract prior to the consumption of foods could complete the digestion of the toxic and immunogenic gluten peptides and protect patients against the effects caused by inadvertent gluten ingestion.

The birth of Glutagen

In 2001, Dr Stelmasiak founded Glutagen, propelled by the discovery that caricain is capable of digesting gluten, promising a significant breakthrough in the management of gluten-related disorders.

Research and trials

Caricain was extensively researched in-vitro and in randomised placebo controlled clinical trials exploring the effect of caricain supplementation on symptoms and biomarkers of gluten related disorders. These trials demonstrated that enzyme therapy with caricain was successful at protecting participants against the effects of a daily gluten challenge.

An honourable recognition

Prof. Cornell was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021 for his contributions to biochemical research in enzyme therapy and tertiary education.

A revolutionary market launch

Successfully distributed in more than 4,000 pharmacies Australia-wide, the product has become one of the most successful launches in the Australian consumer healthcare product market, changing lives for the better through a concentrated effort on education for both healthcare professionals and consumers. 

Glutagen is a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, Australia, specialising in the development and commercialisation of novel therapeutics to enhance and support the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of the community with gluten related disorders.

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GENERAL MANAGER

Ezequiel Peña

With over 14 years of experience in marketing and management spanning across various industries, Ezequiel joined the Glutagen team in 2016 and was responsible for turning decades of innovative scientific research into Glutagen’s first commercial product. As General Manager of Glutagen, he successfully brought the company’s first commercial product, GluteGuard, to market by leveraging his expertise in operations, R&D, and marketing. Ezequiel oversees day-to-day operations, including manufacturing, R&D, and marketing.

 
Business development manager

Stuart Jebb

Prior to joining the Glutagen team Stuart worked as a lawyer both in-house and in private practice, advising a broad range of clients including multinational manufactures, ASX listed entities and private investment groups. Having previously acted for Glutagen as its external lawyer, Stuart was motivated to join the expanding Glutagen team in large part due to GluteGuard being instrumental in reducing his own gluten sensitivity symptoms.In addition to managing the expansion of Glutagen’s global distribution, Stuart is responsible for, amongst other things, Glutagen’s regulatory and pharmacovigilance compliance.

 
PRODUCT MANAGER

Cass Green

Our newest member of the Glutagen team, Cass comes with a wealth of experience in retail product development and marketing in a varied array of industries across Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Responsible for the end-consumer and retail marketing of GluteGuard, her role involves forming a deep understanding of the unique needs of our customers to ensure GluteGuards benefits are reaped by as many as possible.Cass, who adheres to a gluten free diet herself, is passionate about health and nutrition and in particular empowering individuals to live a successful gluten free lifestyle.

 
DIRECTOR

Dr. James Rothel

Jim Rothel is an executive with over 30 years of experience in biological research and development, particularly within the area of diagnostics. The recipient of a PhD from Melbourne University, Jim was a member of the CSIRO team that invented a novel, interferon-γ based, method for measuring cellular immune responses in vitro. The team developed a diagnostic test for bovine tuberculosis that was awarded the CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement. In the mid-1990s, Jim joined CSL to further develop the same technology into a test for human tuberculosis, called QuantiFERON-TB. QuantiFERON was later acquired by Cellestis and became the worldwide gold standard for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection. Jim was Cellestis CSO and Executive Director until its acquisition by QIAGEN NV in 2011. In recognition of his contributions, Jim was awarded the prestigious Clunies Ross Award for application of technology in 2013.

DIRECTOR

John Bennetts

Having begun his career as a practicing solicitor, John Bennetts has gone on to become an experienced investor and has been the founder and director of several successful Australian companies. With businesses spanning across the technology, finance and manufacturing industries, John is a substantial shareholder and director of ASX listed McMillan Shakespeare, and founder of medical diagnostic company Cellestis Limited and private equity investment firm, Mooroolbark Investments Pty Ltd (M-Group). Prior to the establishment of the M-Group, John was a senior executive of the pioneering Australian multinational IT company, Datacraft Limited. John is also a director of several charitable organisations.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Prof. Finlay Macrae AO (Chair)

Professor Finlay Macrae is Head of Colorectal Medicine and Genetics at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Professor Macrae has public and private practices focusing on inflammatory bowel disease and familial bowel cancer. He draws on his mature clinical experience and active engagement in new advances in IBD to support his patients both in public and private. In 2016, he was awarded an AO (Order of Australia) for his work in genetics and genomics. He is a Master of the World Gastroenterology Organization, and Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association and Royal College of Physicians
ADV ACCREDITED PRACTISING DIETITIAN

Dr Kim Faulkner-Hogg

Dr. Kim Faulkner-Hogg is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and member of Dietitians Australia (DA). With a PhD in coeliac disease and the gluten free diet, Dr Faulkner-Hogg operates a private practice in Sydney, Australia, specialising in diets for coeliac disease, gluten free eating, irritable bowel syndrome, non-coeliac wheat sensitivities and food intolerances.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Prof. Nick Talley

Professor Nick Talley AC is a neurogastroenterologist, has published over 1000 papers in the peer-reviewed literature, and is considered one of the world’s most influential clinician-researchers. Currently, Professor Talley is Editor-in Chief, Medical Journal of Australia and Distinguished Laureate Professor at the University of Newcastle. Professor Talley’s past leadership positions include Honorary Treasurer and Member of the Board: Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, Chair, Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) and President, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Dr. Sue Hookey

Dr Sue Hookey is a Director, General Practice Liaison, at Royal Melbourne Hospital, a member of coeliac Australia’s Medical Advisory Committee and a practicing General Practitioner.

 
GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Prof. Rupert Leong

Professor Rupert Leong is a Senior Staff Specialist gastroenterologist, Director of Endoscopy and Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Services at Concord Hospital, Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of Sydney and Macquarie University, Sydney Australia. Prof Leong is an executive member of a number of government bodies including the Agency for Clinical Innovation of NSW Health nominated for expertise in IBD and the Cancer Council of Australia Working Party on the revision of the clinical practice guidelines for colonoscopy and colorectal cancer, leading the section on surveillance colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease. Professor Leong was awarded the American Gastroenterological Association Fellowship by invitation on the basis of research excellence in 2012.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY & CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

A/Prof. Simon R. Knowles

Associate Professor Simon Knowles is a recognised leading expert in the field of Psychogastroenterology, which is the application of psychological science and practice to gastrointestinal health and illness. Due to his expertise, A/Professor Knowles has multiple honorary clinical and research positions. A/Professor Knowles regularly provides lectures and workshops in relation to the psychological impact of gastrointestinal conditions, the interplay between the brain gut-axis, and developing and implementing psychological-focused interventions for individuals living with gastrointestinal conditions. A/Professor Knowles has developed multiple online resources and optimal health programs, including one for celiac disease (www.Coeliac.mindovergut.com).

CO-INVENTOR

Cass Green

Prof. Cornell (PhD, FRACI) is a former Professor of Biological Chemistry at the RMIT University in Melbourne, AU, with a distinguished international career spanning over 40 years in gluten intolerance and coeliac disease research. Prof. Cornell has authored over 100 published scientific papers and presentations and has held appointments at Birmingham University (UK), University of Zurich (Switzerland), Karolinska Institute (Sweden) and Technical University (Germany). Prof. Cornell conducted founding work on the enzyme therapy for coeliac disease and his research was instrumental for today’s understanding of gluten and its molecular structure.

CO-INVENTOR

Dr. Ted Stelmasiak

With over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr Stelmasiak (DVM, PhD, MACVSc) founded Glutagen to provide solutions for people suffering symptoms due to gluten intolerance. Having held appointments with the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw), the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (London), The University of Hawaii, Honolulu (USA), the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Institute of Animal Science (AU), Dr Stelmasiak has published over 60 scientific papers, filed several patents and developed treatments for bacterial and viral gastroenteritis.