OxStem

About OxStem

OxStem was a drug discovery company spun-out from the University of Oxford in 2011, specializing in regenerative medicine. The firm focused on developing small molecule drugs designed to activate the body's innate repair and regeneration mechanisms by programming resident stem cells. This approach aimed to treat a variety of age-related conditions without the need for cell transplantation procedures.

The company was co-founded by a team of serial entrepreneurs from Oxford's faculty, including Professor Steve Davies of the Department of Chemistry, Professor Dame Kay Davies, and Professor Angela Russell, a professor of Medicinal Chemistry. Their collective background in medicinal chemistry and drug-development was central to OxStem's strategy. In May 2016, OxStem announced a record fundraising round for a UK academic spinout, securing £16.9 million ($24.4 million). This funding was intended to advance preclinical small molecule drug candidates.

OxStem's business model involved creating and funding a series of subsidiary companies, each targeting a specific large, unmet therapeutic need. These included OxStem Oncology for therapy-resistant cancers, OxStem Cardio for heart failure, OxStem Neuro for neurodegenerative diseases, OxStem Ocular for macular degeneration, OxStem Beta for diabetes, and OxStem Immuno for chronic inflammation and wound healing. The company entered voluntary liquidation in August 2022.