30fivebio

Based in Oxford, UK, 30fivebio is a biotechnology firm concentrated on creating therapies for severe gastrointestinal diseases. The company was established in 2021 by Kirsty McCarthy, Tom McCarthy, Stuart Hughes, and Peter Joyce, and was created by the drug discovery ecosystem Molecule to Medicine (MTM) and Canaan Partners. The leadership team includes CEO James Westcott, who brings over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery from roles at companies like Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

30fivebio's core focus is the development of first-in-class small molecule inhibitors that target the G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35). This receptor is a genetically validated target in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the company's research indicates that gain-of-function variants of GPR35 are linked to the disease. Unlike other approaches that aim to increase GPR35 activity, 30fivebio is pursuing antagonism of the receptor. The company’s proprietary treatment method aims to create an "epithelial shield," which functions by preventing damage to the gut wall rather than solely addressing inflammation. This approach has the potential to improve disease resolution and remission rates for patients with conditions like ulcerative colitis.

The company's business model revolves around the discovery and preclinical development of these novel drug candidates. The ultimate goal is to partner with larger pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials and commercialize the treatments. To fund its research, 30fivebio has raised nearly $25 million to date. A significant milestone was a bridge financing round in April 2025, which included a strategic investment from AbbVie Ventures, alongside existing investor Canaan and new investor Mayewell Capital. This capital is being used to advance the GPR35 inhibitor program through investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, a critical step before human clinical trials can begin. Additionally, the company was awarded a Biomedical Catalyst grant from Innovate UK in July 2024 to further support its research.

A key component of 30fivebio's strategy is a precision medicine approach. The firm is actively developing biomarkers by analyzing patient tissue to identify genetic signatures that correlate with responsiveness to GPR35 inhibitors. This will enable the selection of patients most likely to benefit from the therapy in future clinical trials, potentially increasing the efficacy and success rate of their treatments. The initial therapeutic focus is on ulcerative colitis, with broader potential applications across other GI diseases and cancers.

Keywords: GPR35 inhibitors, ulcerative colitis treatment, inflammatory bowel disease, IBD therapy, small molecule inhibitors, gastrointestinal disease, epithelial shield, precision medicine, drug discovery, preclinical development, AbbVie Ventures, Canaan Partners, Molecule to Medicine, James Westcott, gut wall protection, GI cancers, biomarker development, IND-enabling studies, biotechnology, Oxford biotech