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Key people at ThirtyFiveBio.
ThirtyFiveBio was founded in 2021 by Tom McCarthy (Founder and Chair).
ThirtyFiveBio develops a gut epithelial shield for patients with ulcerative colitis. Their technical approach involves first-in-class small-molecule inhibitors targeting G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35). This mechanism aims to protect gut epithelial cells from inflammatory damage, directly addressing a core pathological aspect of the disease.
The company was established by experienced pharmaceutical industry professionals and biotech entrepreneurs in Oxford, UK. Their foundational insight came from a deep understanding of GPR35’s human biology, identifying it as a critical target to overcome the limitations of current ulcerative colitis therapies, which often yield inadequate or transient responses.
ThirtyFiveBio's product is intended for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, with potential applicability to other gastrointestinal diseases. The company’s long-term vision is to significantly improve patient outcomes by correcting epithelial dysfunction, raising treatment response ceilings, and disrupting existing IBD paradigms to enhance lasting patient health.
Key people at ThirtyFiveBio.
ThirtyFiveBio was founded in 2021 by Tom McCarthy (Founder and Chair).
ThirtyFiveBio is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies targeting G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) to treat gastrointestinal diseases, specifically ulcerative colitis. Their lead product candidates are first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of GPR35, designed to protect the gut epithelium from inflammatory damage, thereby addressing a critical unmet need in ulcerative colitis treatment where current anti-inflammatory drugs often fail or lead to relapse. By leveraging precision medicine approaches, including biomarkers for patient selection, ThirtyFiveBio aims to improve treatment response rates and long-term disease outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[1][2][3][5].
ThirtyFiveBio was incorporated in January 2021 and is headquartered in Milton Park, near Oxford, UK[4]. The company emerged from the Molecule to Medicine (MTM) drug discovery ecosystem and was co-founded with support from Canaan Partners and Mayewell Capital, reflecting a strong foundation in both scientific innovation and venture investment[3]. Its leadership, including CEO Dr. James Westcott, brings deep expertise in GPR35 biology and gastrointestinal disease, which has guided the company’s unique focus on GPR35 antagonism as a therapeutic strategy. Early traction includes successful identification of multiple unique GPR35 inhibitor families and securing nearly $25 million in financing, including strategic investment from AbbVie Ventures[3].
ThirtyFiveBio is positioned at the intersection of biotechnology innovation and precision medicine, riding the trend toward targeted therapies that address underlying disease mechanisms rather than just symptoms. The timing is critical as current ulcerative colitis treatments show limited efficacy and high relapse rates, creating a strong market demand for new modalities that can protect and restore gut epithelial integrity. Advances in biomarker-driven patient stratification and small molecule drug discovery are market forces favoring ThirtyFiveBio’s approach. By potentially raising the therapeutic response ceiling in IBD, the company could influence treatment paradigms and inspire further research into GPR35 and related pathways in gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases[2][3][5].
Looking ahead, ThirtyFiveBio is expected to advance its lead GPR35 inhibitor candidates into clinical trials, leveraging its biomarker strategy to optimize patient outcomes. Trends such as personalized medicine, increasing prevalence of IBD, and demand for novel anti-inflammatory treatments will shape its trajectory. The company’s influence may expand beyond ulcerative colitis to other GI diseases and cancers linked to GPR35 biology. If successful, ThirtyFiveBio could redefine therapeutic standards in gut health by delivering a new class of epithelial-protective drugs, fulfilling its mission to revolutionize treatment for patients with chronic inflammatory gut conditions[3][5].
