John Parkinson, PhD, Immunologist and Biopharma Industry Veteran, Appointed Chief Scientific Officer of Thetis Pharmaceuticals (7/10/2023)
Essex, CT – (July 10, 2023) – Thetis Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Thetis”), a biopharmaceutical company developing a first-in-class, oral small molecule Resolvin E1-based drug to treat chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer, announced today that John Parkinson, PhD, has been appointed Chief Scientific Officer.
Gary Mathias, Chief Executive Officer of Thetis, commented, “John brings 40 years of immunology experience to Thetis. He previously was Senior Director & Head of GI Inflammation Drug Discovery at Takeda Pharmaceuticals focusing on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Senior Director of IBD Discovery Research in the Immunology franchise at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and built an IBD and rare disease research team at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, John led the discovery and development of the Lipoxin program at Berlex Laboratories and therefore brings unique experience in developing eicosanoid-based drugs such as TP-317.”
About TP-317
Overview: TP-317 is a patented small molecule drug that delivers RvE1, an endogenous lipid mediator that regulates immune homeostasis. Unlike anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-cancer agents that are immuno-suppressive, TP-317 activates innate and adaptive immune pathways to treat disease without compromising host-protective immunity.
IBD Program: In IBD, TP-317 is being developed as first-line, oral therapy for mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease and as second-line, oral therapy for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis in patients who are not well controlled on 5-ASA or corticosteroids. TP-317 also has potential to treat moderate-to-severe IBD as adjunct therapy to standard-of-care biologics or oral immunomodulators. The anticipated high safety premium for TP-317 further supports early intervention in IBD and other immune disorders.
Cancer Program: In cancer, TP-317 is being developed as an adjunct to standard of care therapy in refractory metastatic melanoma, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies with oral TP-317 in tumor models of these cancers have shown potent single-agent activity, and enhanced efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy.
About Thetis Pharmaceuticals
Thetis is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Thetis’ proprietary HEALER™ technology enables the pharmaceutical development of Resolvins, overcoming the stability, manufacturing, and formulation hurdles that have limited their commercial development. Thetis is supported by venture capital investors, NIH, and leading private philanthropies, including the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
Disclaimer
TP-317 is an investigational drug product that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. T
Contact Information
For more information, please visit Thetis Pharmaceuticals’ website (www.thetispharma.com) or email us at info@thetispharma.com.