Ochre Bio
Company Summary
Ochre Bio develops RNA-based therapies for under-treated chronic liver diseases. Its discovery platform combines machine learning, genomic phenotyping, RNA chemistry, and perfused human-donor livers—enabling rapid identification of novel therapeutic targets.
The Problem
Chronic liver disease is a growing global killer with very limited therapeutic options. Conventional drug discovery relies on animal models that poorly reflect human physiology. This leads to high failure rates and delays in delivering effective treatment.
The Solution
The company’s platform uses real human liver tissue and advanced AI to discover genetic and molecular targets with direct relevance to human biology. By combining donor liver perfusion, deep multi-omics, and RNA chemistry, Ochre Bio can rapidly validate regenerative therapies and enhance translational success.
Funding & Strategic Partnership
Ochre Bio raised $30M in a Series A in October 2022 (with support including EIT Health funding). In April 2024, it partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim on a multi-year, multi-target liver therapy collaboration worth up to $35M in near-term payments and potentially exceeding $1B in total, including clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones as well as royalties.
Founders
Jack O'Meara
Founding CEO
Jack is a biomedical engineer by training, with a background in bringing new technologies to market. He holds a First Class degree from the University of Galway and a Master’s from Notre Dame in Engineering & Science. He helped to see one of the first blockbuster gene therapies through FDA approval and onto commercial launch.
Quin Wills
Founding CSO & Current CEO
Quin is an MD, with further degrees in Genetics, Mathematics, and Computational Biology, as well as a Doctorate in Systems Genomics, from Oxford and Cambridge University. He had previously founded a liver drug genomics company, co-steered Oxford University’s single-cell genomics consortium, and most recently founded the Cellular and Systems Genomics department for the leading metabolic biopharma Novo Nordisk.