First-in-class small molecules for chronic immune-mediated inflammation

P3 Therapeutics (P3T) is a preclinical biotech startup from Zagreb, Croatia. We develop small chemical molecules (SCMs) that target the anti-inflammatory pathways behind chronic inflammation, “leaky gut” and the other drivers of spondyloarthritis and related immune-mediated diseases such as IBD.

Our science Ready to invest?

anti-inflammatory targets activated by one molecule

Extensive TTA library: 6 molecules synthesised, 15 pending — now in vitro testing

100+ yrs

of combined experience — unmatched founder–market fit: clinical authority, lived patient experience and veteran drug hunters

Eurostars and Pathfinder pending

About us

Chronic inflammation is not just one problem; it reflects a loss of coordination among several cellular control systems.

We are developing molecules that help restore this balance by improving cellular energy use, moderating inflammatory signaling, and strengthening antioxidant defenses.

Furthermore, these actions are also designed to counter inflammAGING — the gradual loss of cellular resilience that accompanies aging.

Our early laboratory results suggest that this approach may work. We are now systematically testing whether the effects are real, safe, selective, and caused by the mechanism we designed.

Mission

We develop first-in-class oral small molecules that simultaneously activate three anti-inflammatory targets, delivering lasting relief for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and addressing the low-grade inflammation driving inflammAGING.

Vision

A world where chronic inflammatory diseases such as spondyloarthritis and IBD are treated at their roots, and the burden of age-related low-grade inflammation is reduced, all with safe, oral therapies.

The problem

Chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorders are among the leading global health threats, second only to cardiovascular disease.

In conditions such as spondyloarthritis (SpA), chronic inflammation is often driven by a compromised gut barrier — “leaky gut” — and dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria. These underlying issues lead to persistent inflammation, worsening symptoms and a lack of effective long-term treatments.

One drug, one target

Single-target thinking keeps under-delivering. Block one pathway and biology reroutes around it, the way water finds a new channel once one stream gets dammed. That’s the exact mechanism behind why so many single-target drugs land smaller wins than the early data promised.

No real second line in SpA

When the first biologic fails, patients have practically no alternative. That is the gap P3T is built to fill.

Main indications

Shared pathophysiology of spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease

A common inflammatory axis — affecting millions worldwide.

50 Million

patients globally

Spondyloarthritis (SpA)

Axial & peripheral arthritis
Enthesitis, dactylitis
Extra-articular manifestations

10 Million

patients globally

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis
Chronic intestinal inflammation
Extra-intestinal manifestations

Shared pathophysiological mechanisms

Immune dysregulation
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-17, IL-23)
Gut–joint axis (microbiome)

Chronic systemic inflammation

Intestinal barrier dysfunction
Microbiome dysbiosis
Shared immune pathways

Chronic systemic inflammation

Immune dysregulation
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-17, IL-23)
Gut–joint axis (microbiome)

Intestinal barrier dysfunction
Microbiome dysbiosis
Shared immune pathways

~10% overlap: SpA with IBD

~10%of SpA patients also have IBD

Unmet need

Limited efficacy of current therapies
Higher risk of disease progression
Need for integrated, dual-acting therapeutic strategies

Targeting shared inflammatory pathways offers a promising strategy to address the unmet need in the ~10% of SpA patients with IBD.

The solution

Three pillars, one disease-modifying platform

Synergistic anti-inflammatory pathways

Precise drug delivery combined with Triple Target Activation: three key anti-inflammatory pathways activated simultaneously for maximum therapeutic effect — a significant advantage over single-target treatments.

First-in-class, disease-modifying SCMs

New chemical entities designed to target the secondary pathways behind “leaky gut” and the other underlying factors of SpA and related diseases, aiming at long-lasting relief and better patient outcomes.

Biomarker-driven development with organ-on-chip

A gut-entheseal organ-on-chip platform simulates human tissue behaviour, allowing highly accurate testing of our SCMs and optimisation of efficacy and safety across development stages.

Platform

Three things that make it work

A mechanism, a candidate and a testing platform — each built to move a first-in-class molecule towards the clinic.

01 / Mechanism

Triple Target Activation

P3T’s proprietary SCM technology activates three anti-inflammatory targets, providing a revolutionary treatment for chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorders like spondyloarthritis (SpA).

02 / Candidate

P3T 4.0 — the hit-to-lead candidate

Designed in silico, synthesised and tested in vitro, P3T 4.0 has been profiled for ADME, predicted human pharmacokinetics and liver toxicity against a clinical reference set — and stays phenotypically quiet.

03 / Testing

Organ-on-chip development

The platform will enable biomarker-driven preclinical and clinical trials, ensuring the development of highly effective, first-in-class SCMs for SpA and related diseases.

Business model

A hybrid B2B model

P3T offers collaboration and licensing opportunities to accelerate drug development, expand pipelines and bring innovative therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders to market faster.

01 / Business model

Collaborative development

Partnerships that co-develop our SCMs for specific indications, sharing risk and speeding the path to patients.

02 / Business model

In-house drug development

Our team drives discovery — optimising SCMs with AI-driven design and running preclinical testing to ensure safety and efficacy.

03 / Business model

Compound and biomarker licensing

Licensing of novel compounds and biomarker technologies targeting immune-mediated diseases, giving partners access to first-in-class innovation for their pipelines.

Opportunity

Unlocking a high-growth opportunity in precision medicine

Handshake (photo: Cytonn Photography, Unsplash)

01 / Opportunity

Large and growing market

The SpA therapeutics market is projected to grow from $7.8 billion in 2025 to $16.4 billion by 2034 (8.6% CAGR), with over 50 million people affected worldwide.

Scientist using a pipette in a laboratory (photo: Nathan Rimoux, Unsplash)

02 / Opportunity

Differentiated, first-in-class technology

Triple Target Activation offers a disease-modifying approach by targeting three pathways, addressing “leaky gut” and inflammation, validated in preclinical studies.

Three researchers reviewing results on a tablet (photo: National Cancer Institute, Unsplash)

03 / Opportunity

High growth potential with minimal initial investment

High-return potential with low initial investment and multiple pathways to commercialisation: collaborative development, out-licensing and biomarker licensing.

Partners & funding

Backed by European instruments

HBOR — Hrvatska banka za obnovu i razvitak

Research and development partners

The contract research and technology partners behind the hit-to-lead candidate work: chemistry, ADME and PK prediction, liver-toxicity profiling and gut models.