Olivewood Biosciences
Olivewood Biosciences scientist preparing samples in a research laboratory

Rooted in Nature.
Driven by Science.
Transforming Lives.

Transforming scientific insight into meaningful possibilities for human health.

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Who We Are

Treating inflammation at
its point of origin

Olivewood Biosciences is a biotechnology company discovering and developing medicines for chronic inflammatory and immunological diseases. Our programmes target upstream nodes of immune activation, where a single intervention can influence multiple downstream inflammatory outputs.

Cytokine biology is redundant: blocking one mediator often leaves others capable of sustaining disease. Working upstream is our answer to that redundancy — and the reason our portfolio spans both small molecules and protein therapeutics.

Upstream
Immune activation nodes
Precise
Human genetics and translational data
Two modalities
Small molecules and proteins

Our Approach

A replicable, scalable model for drug discovery and development

We are advancing a diversified portfolio intended to deliver safe and effective medicines to patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Our objective is not incremental improvement, but meaningful changes in patient outcomes.

  1. 01

    Start upstream

    Intervene in immune signalling before broad inflammatory cascades are established.

  2. 02

    Use precision

    Select targets supported by human biology, genetics and translational evidence.

  3. 03

    Address redundancy

    Seek mechanisms that can influence multiple downstream inflammatory outputs.

  4. 04

    Use the right modality

    Small molecules for intracellular and oral opportunities; proteins for extracellular or multi-receptor biology.

  5. 05

    Build internally

    An experienced drug-hunting organisation supported by proprietary discovery and development tools.

  6. 06

    Advance with data

    Emphasise patient selection, biomarkers, analytics and proof-of-concept decisions.

Our Values

  • Honor the Patient

    Patient wellbeing is the first decision filter.

  • Respect the Science

    Maintain high standards of scientific inquiry and excellence.

  • Raise Each Other Up

    Help colleagues grow, support one another and share knowledge.

  • Act With Urgency

    Break through barriers that slow the delivery of medicines to patients.

  • Do What's Right

    Operate with integrity, keep promises and value patients in decisions.

  • Own Our Success

    Take responsibility for shared achievements and results.

Pipeline

A diversified immunology portfolio built on upstream biology

Our pipeline is organised around selective modulation of upstream inflammatory signalling, spanning inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and other B-cell and interferon-mediated diseases, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, asthma and COPD.

  • Programme / Target
    Modality
    Disease areas
    Stage

  • OD-001

    RIPK2

    Oral RIPK2 scaffolding inhibition intended to block signalling associated with NOD2/XIAP pathways and downstream inflammatory-cell activation.

    Small molecule
    Ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease

    Clinical

  • OD-002

    SLC15A4

    Oral inhibition intended to selectively block TLR7/8/9-mediated IRF5 activation while preserving other host-defence functions.

    Small molecule
    Cutaneous lupus; nephropathies; B-cell-mediated diseases

    IND-Enabling

  • OD-003

    TNFR2

    Selective TNFR2 agonism on regulatory T cells intended to increase Treg number, function, tissue homing and stability.

    Protein therapeutic
    Atopic dermatitis; systemic lupus erythematosus; alopecia areata

    Lead Optimisation

  • TSLP / IL-33

    TSLP and IL-33

    Bispecific antagonist designed to address redundancy between two upstream alarmins, TSLP and IL-33.

    Protein therapeutic
    Asthma; COPD

    Research

  • IRAK4

    IRAK4 scaffolding

    Oral inhibition of IRAK4 scaffolding/myddosome signalling to reduce broad inflammatory signalling across relevant cell types.

    Small molecule
    Atopic dermatitis; hidradenitis suppurativa

    Research

  • IRF5

    IRF5 (collaboration)

    Small-molecule IRF5 inhibitor developed in collaboration as a complementary strategy to the SLC15A4 programme.

    Small molecule
    Cutaneous lupus; nephropathies; B-cell-mediated diseases

    Research

OD-001 is our most advanced programme. In a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, 49 patients completed 12 weeks and were eligible for efficacy analysis; 27% achieved clinical remission and 61% achieved clinical response, and OD-001 was well tolerated at both doses tested. A Phase 2b monotherapy trial and a Phase 2a combination trial with vedolizumab are expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with topline induction data expected in the second half of 2027. OD-002 is expected to advance toward a CTA in the second half of 2026.

All programmes described are investigational. Nothing on this page is a claim of regulatory approval or established clinical benefit.

Our Science

Intervene where inflammatory signalling begins

Chronic inflammatory disease can be addressed more effectively by intervening at upstream immune activation nodes — the points where inflammatory signalling starts — rather than only neutralising individual downstream cytokines after inflammation is already established.

  • Immunobiology
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Computational chemistry
  • Protein biochemistry
  • Structural biology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology
  • AI/ML platform

Innate and adaptive immunity

The innate immune system provides an early defence response and can initiate pro-inflammatory signalling that activates adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity matters for pathogen clearance and memory, but unresolved inflammatory signalling can drive chronic disease and organ damage.

Cytokine redundancy

Blocking a single cytokine can leave other cytokines capable of sustaining disease. By acting upstream, our programmes are designed to suppress multiple downstream inflammatory outputs at once.

Precision targeting

We prioritise targets where human biology is well characterised and where clinical and translational evidence can be integrated with human genetics to inform potential safety and efficacy. Patient-selection and biomarker strategies are built into development planning.

Two therapeutic modalities

Small molecules for intracellular targets and situations where oral dosing matters; protein therapeutics for extracellular targets, particularly where multiple targets or receptors need to be engaged.

Scientists in lab coats reviewing samples and instrumentation together in a laboratory
Discovery research

Discovery Engine

An integrated drug-hunting organisation, built internally

Discovery, chemistry, structural biology and translational science sit in the same organisation, supported by proprietary discovery and development tools including computational and AI/ML methods. That proximity is how targets are validated, molecules are optimised and decisions are made quickly on data.

  • Target biologyImmunobiology and genetics used to select upstream nodes with strong human evidence.
  • Molecular designMedicinal, computational and protein engineering teams working on both modalities.
  • Structural insightStructural biology and biochemistry to understand and refine target engagement.
  • TranslationPharmacology, biomarkers and patient-selection strategy built into development plans.
An analyst using a pipette beside analytical chromatography instrumentation

Development

From mechanism to proof of concept

Programmes advance on evidence. Translational pharmacology, biomarkers and defined patient-selection strategies are used to test each mechanism in the populations most likely to benefit, and to decide early whether a programme should progress. All programmes are investigational and have not been approved by any regulatory authority.

Mechanism

Target engagement confirmed with translational models and biomarkers.

Patient selection

Populations defined by biology, genetics and clinical evidence.

Proof of concept

Clear go / no-go decisions taken on clinical and analytical data.

News

Updates from Olivewood Biosciences

Explore careers

  • Aug. 26, 2026

    Participation announced in upcoming investor conferences.

  • Aug. 4, 2026

    Q2 2026 financial results and corporate update, highlighting planned OD-001 Phase 2a combination and Phase 2b activity in the second half of 2026.

  • Jun. 17, 2026

    Q1 2026 financial results, with positive OD-001 Phase 2a proof-of-concept data and development plans for OD-001 and OD-002.

  • May 7, 2026

    Pricing of upsized IPO: 15.5 million shares at $18 per share, plus a concurrent private placement of 1,388,889 shares at $18 per share.

  • Mar. 10, 2026

    H. Martin Seidel, Ph.D. appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board.

  • Jan. 21, 2026

    Jolie M. Siegel appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel.

Our Story

Founded to change where treatment begins

Olivewood Biosciences was formed by drug hunters who had spent their careers watching inflammatory disease outlast single-cytokine therapies. The company was built to work further upstream — with the discovery depth, modality breadth and translational discipline that approach demands.

Two researchers in protective suits examining laboratory samples with a microscope
  1. 01

    The thesis

    Chronic inflammation is sustained by redundant cytokine biology; upstream nodes offer a way to influence several outputs at once.

  2. 02

    The evidence

    Targets are chosen where human biology, genetics and translational data can inform potential safety and efficacy.

  3. 03

    The toolkit

    Small molecules for intracellular and oral opportunities; protein therapeutics for extracellular and multi-receptor biology.

  4. 04

    The purpose

    Medicines that reach the patients most likely to benefit — the measure we hold every programme against.

Rooted in Nature. Driven by Science. Transforming Lives.

Contact

Where to find us

For general enquiries, please contact the headquarters number or email address below.