Tom Mccarthy

Founder & Executive Chairperson

2015 - Current

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 & Executive Chairperson

2024

Lucia Bio, a collaboration between UniQuest & Molecule to Medicine (MTM), is the first company in MTM’s Brisbane pod, a group of co-located companies built around a common therapeutic area. Lucia Bio is capitalising on QEDDI’s previous investment in the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a critical node in many diseases of the human immune system. Lucia Bio’s first Syk inhibitor program is the development of a brain penetrant orally bioavailable small molecule to treat neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative conditions. This program is at development candidate selection stage and an international project team has been assembled with the goal of moving a Syk inhibitor into formal preclinical development and subsequently establishing robust clinical proof of mechanism and proof of principle in patients with neuroinflammation as a result of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials are expected to commence in 2026. The company also continues to invest in exploring the potential of the Syk inhibitors in peripheral diseases of the immune system.

Founder & Executive Chairperson

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 & Executive Chairperson

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 & Chairperson

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.

Chairperson

2016

Venture Partner

2016

Non Executive Director

2017 - 2020

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

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.