# Jeffrey Stafford

> Jeffrey Stafford is the CEO and co-founder of 858 Therapeutics, a San Diego clinical-stage biotech developing small-molecule cancer drugs against novel targets in DNA-damage repair, innate immunity and RNA epigenetics. A chemist by training, he has spent three decades turning molecules into medicines: his discovery teams contributed to three FDA-approved drugs, and he previously led Jecure Therapeutics (acquired by Genentech in 2018) and co-founded Quanticel Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene in 2015). 858's lead asset, the PARG inhibitor ETX-19477, won FDA Fast Track status and posted a 57% response rate in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer at ASCO 2026.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at 858 Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** 858 Therapeutics, Jecure Therapeutics, Quanticel Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Research Institute
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Cornell University, NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley
- **Known for:** Discovery teams contributed to three FDA-approved drugs: Votrient (pazopanib), Nesina (alogliptin), and Byfavo (remimazolam), Co-founded Quanticel Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Celgene in 2015, Led Jecure Therapeutics as CEO through its 2018 acquisition by Genentech

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Began drug discovery career at Glaxo Research Institute
- **2011** — Co-founded and became founding CSO of Quanticel Pharmaceuticals
- **2015** — Quanticel acquired by Celgene for its epigenetics drug pipeline and single-cell genomics platform
- **2018** — Jecure Therapeutics (where he was CEO) acquired by Genentech
- **2019** — Co-founded 858 Therapeutics in San Diego, serving as CEO
- **2021** — 858 Therapeutics launches with $60M Series A financing
- **2024** — 858 Therapeutics raises $50M Series B led by Avidity Partners
- **2026** — ETX-19477 receives FDA Fast Track; Phase 1/2 data shows 57% response rate at ASCO

## Achievements

- Discovery teams contributed to three FDA-approved drugs: Votrient (pazopanib), Nesina (alogliptin), and Byfavo (remimazolam)
- Co-founded Quanticel Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Celgene in 2015
- Led Jecure Therapeutics as CEO through its 2018 acquisition by Genentech
- Co-founded and leads 858 Therapeutics, which has raised $110M across three rounds
- Advanced PARG inhibitor ETX-19477 to FDA Fast Track designation and a 57% objective response rate in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer
- Co-author of numerous peer-reviewed publications in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — 858 Therapeutics presents initial Phase 1/2 data for PARG inhibitor ETX-19477 at ASCO, reporting a 57% objective response rate in BRCA-mutated, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
- **2026-01** — FDA grants Fast Track designation to ETX-19477 for BRCA-mutated, platinum-resistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
- **2024-09** — 858 Therapeutics closes $50M Series B financing led by Avidity Partners.

## Links

- Website: https://8five8tx.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-stafford-7b878010

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jeffrey-stafford
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-11