TM

Tom McCarthy

Executive Chair and Founder at MTM, ThirtyFiveBio & Pathios Therapeutics. Founder & Chair at Grey Wolf Therapeutics. Chair of Orbit Discovery. Venture Partner at Brandon Capital. Supporter of Melio Bio.

Milton, England

Invests in

Stages:

  • Min Investment:

    $100,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $5,000,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $1,500,000.00

Skills

Pharmaceutical Industry
Biotechnology
Technology Transfer
Lifesciences
Drug Discovery
Business Strategy
Clinical Development
Strategy
Commercialization
Business Planning
Start-ups
CRO
Biopharmaceuticals
Life Sciences

Work Experience

  • Founder and Chair

    2015

    Following the acquisition of Spinifex Pharmaceuticals by Novartis, Kirsty McCarthy and I established Molecule 2 Medicine Limited (M2M) in 2016 to co-create and scale biotech companies within our global ecosystem. Run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, we blend experienced drug discovery and development with agile operations to foster breakthroughs and deliver transformative medicines. M2M was also referred to as M:M Bio over the subsequent years. Recognising the growth in the M2M/M:M Bio business and the drug discovery and development ecosystem we have built, recently the business was reorganised and rebranded as Molecule to Medicine (MTM) although our mission and focus remains unchanged. The MTM team initially founded Grey Wolf Therapeutics, Pathios Therapeutics and ThirtyFiveBio with like-minded drug developers, clinicians and entrepreneurs. This first group or "pod" of oncology/immunology focused companies and MTM team are co-located on Milton Park in Oxford's science corridor. Melio Bio is the first of MTM's new companies in the cardio-metabolic therapeutic area which will be based in London and the MTM team is currently investigating further expansion plans globally.

  • Founder and Executive Chair

    2021

    Founded upon a deep understanding of the biology of GPR35 and guided by human genetics, proprietary bioinformatics and pharmacology, ThirtyFiveBio are deploying GPR35 antagonism as a differentiated approach to the treatment of serious digestive system disorders with high unmet clinical need.

  • Founder and Executive Chair

    2017

    Pathios is a clinical-stage oncology and immunology company that targets the acid-sensing GPCR, GPR65, as a unique and genetically-validated immune cell receptor with the potential to revolutionise oncology treatment across multiple solid tumor types.

  • Founder and Chair

    2017

    Grey Wolf Therapeutics is a UK-based drug discovery and development biotechnology company focused on progressing programs against genetically validated targets ERAP1 and ERAP2, and broadening the platform by identifying novel ERAP-inhibitor generated antigens and MHCI-directed therapies. Grey Wolf’s lead development candidate, GRWD5769, is a potent and selective oral ERAP1 inhibitor that has shown the potential to elicit a powerful and differentiated immune response against tumors. The first-in-class compound is currently the focus of an ongoing multi-site, multi-country and adaptive Phase 1/2 clinical trial in a range of solid tumor types. The study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of GRWD5769, including combination with the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab). Initial data from the study was presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. A second ERAP1 inhibitor, GRWD0715 is advancing through preclinical development as a potential treatment for autoimmune disease. The company intends to move the compound through investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies with the goal of entering the clinic in 2025. Potential autoimmune disease targets include Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthropathy, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, among others. The company is also leveraging its leadership in neoantigen creation with an ERAP2 drug discovery program and by therapeutically targeting novel ERAP1 inhibitor-generated cancer antigens with MHC Class I directed therapies such as soluble T cell receptor (TCR) and TCR mimic bispecifics.

  • Chair

    2016

Brandon Capital Partners

2016

  • Venture Partner

    2016

Kea Therapeutics

2017 - 2020

  • Non Executive Director

    2017 - 2020

    Kea Therapeutics Ltd was developing new non-opioid drugs for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain.

2016 - 2017

  • Non Executive Director

    2016 - 2017

  • President, CEO & Managing Director

    2006 - 2015

    Spinifex Pharmaceuticals (Spinifex) was a US and Australian clinical-stage, private, venture capital backed company that was developing orally bioavailable small molecules as first in class treatments for chronic pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain, without central nervous system side-effects. I was responsible for all aspects of the company's growth from a university spinout at the lead molecule stage to a global clinical development organisation, supported by top tier international venture capital firms. Spinifex was acquired by Novartis in 2015 for ~US$700M.

Starpharma Holdings Limited

2001 - 2006

  • VP Drug Development

    2001 - 2006

    Responsible for all drug development activities from lead candidate optimization through to Phase 2 clinical trials.