XinThera has raised $50.0M in total across 1 funding round.
XinThera's investors include Foresite Capital, OrbiMed, VZVC.
XinThera is a biotechnology company, not a technology company in the software sense, specializing in structure-based drug design using computational chemistry to develop small molecule precision medicines for oncology and immunology.[1][2][4] It targeted PARP1 and MK2 inhibitors to address DNA damage repair in cancer and immune responses in inflammatory diseases, serving the pharmaceutical and biotech industries with preclinical assets like XIN5104, XIN5494, and others.[2][6] Founded in 2021 in San Diego, California, XinThera raised $80M from investors including Foresite Capital, OrbiMed, and TTM Capital before its full acquisition by Gilead Sciences in May 2023, strengthening Gilead's early pipeline.[1][2][3]
XinThera was founded in 2021 by Stephen Kaldor, Ph.D., Qing Dong, Ph.D., and Gene Hung, M.D., all experienced in drug discovery, with headquarters at 12730 High Bluff Drive in San Diego.[1][2][3] The idea emerged from a focus on computational chemistry for structure-based design of best-in-class small molecules targeting oncology (e.g., solid tumors, brain cancer) and immunology (e.g., autoimmune diseases), filing 14 patents in areas like transcription factors and antineoplastic drugs.[1][6] Early traction included raising $80M and advancing a preclinical pipeline, culminating in its acquisition by Gilead in May 2023 under CEO Chris LeMasters, who highlighted shared missions in cancer and inflammation therapies.[1][2][3]
XinThera rode the wave of precision oncology and immunology, leveraging computational chemistry—a key trend in biotech for faster, targeted small molecule discovery amid rising demand for PARP inhibitors post successes like Lynparza.[1][2][6] Timing was ideal in the early 2020s, with market forces like high unmet needs in solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation favoring agile startups; its 2023 Gilead acquisition amplified this by integrating assets into a major pharma's pipeline, influencing ecosystem consolidation where big players acquire innovative biotechs to bolster early-stage R&D.[2] This deal exemplifies how VC-backed firms accelerate therapies, filing patents and advancing preclinical work that big pharma scales, contributing to broader advances in DNA repair and immune therapies.[1][2]
Post-acquisition, XinThera's assets will advance within Gilead's pipeline, potentially entering clinical trials for PARP1 inhibitors in oncology and inflammation, fueled by trends like AI-driven drug design and combo therapies.[2][6] Evolving regulatory pushes for precision meds and Gilead's durable late-phase focus could propel these to pivotal data readouts, expanding influence in cancer/immunology ecosystems. This trajectory underscores XinThera's swift impact, transforming computational design into acquired value that sustains biotech innovation.
XinThera has raised $50.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $50.0M Series B in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $50.0M Series B | Foresite Capital, OrbiMed, VZVC |
