Exelixis, Inc. began in 1994 as a genomics-based biotech startup founded by scientists Spyridon Artavanis–Tsakonas, Corey Goodman, and Gerry Rubin. Its founding mission was rooted in using model organisms—like fruit flies and zebrafish—to discover and validate human disease drug targets. By 2000, Exelixis shifted its focus squarely to oncology, amassing a massive chemical library and launching drug discovery efforts aimed at inhibiting specific tyrosine kinases linked to cancer.
The company has built itself into a prominent oncology-focused biopharmaceutical enterprise, known most notably for its development of cabozantinib, marketed as CABOMETYX and Cometriq. FDA approval of cabozantinib for medullary thyroid cancer came in 2012, followed by additional approvals for kidney, liver, and neuroendocrine tumors. Alongside this flagship product, earlier partnerships led to cobimetinib (COTELLIC), extending its footprint into melanoma therapy through collaboration with Genentech.
Beyond its approved drugs, Exelixis is advancing a strong pipeline of next-generation oncology candidates, including small molecules like Zanzalintinib, XL309, and XL495, as well as innovative biotherapeutics such as antibody-drug conjugates (XB010, XB628, XB371) and bispecific antibodies. Recent presentations at the 2025 AACR conference highlighted preclinical results demonstrating synthetic lethality mechanisms and immune checkpoint-targeted therapies, with plans underway for XL495 and XB371 to enter clinical trials in 2025 .
Looking toward the future, Exelixis emphasizes its "discovery engine"—a data-driven combination of internal discovery and strategic partnerships aimed at delivering clinically differentiated cancer therapies. The company continues efforts to scale globally, expanding facilities and research capabilities, while doubling down on innovative modalities such as small molecules, ADCs, and bispecific biologics. As it evolves from its functional genomics roots, Exelixis remains committed to translating cutting-edge science into new cancer treatment options.