Adaptam Therapeutics, a Spanish cancer immunotherapy company, has secured €3 million in funding led by Criteria Bio Ventures to speed up the development of its preclinical programs and target suppressed immune cells.
Adaptam Therapeutics, a Spanish cancer immunotherapy startup, announced the closing of a €3 million pre-seed funding round led by Criteria Bio Ventures. The San Sebastián-based company aims to develop new therapies that target immune cells helping tumors resist standard treatments, with several therapeutic programs already in progress.
“Suppressed myeloid cells within tumors are one of the biggest challenges in immunotherapy,” said Dr. Assis Palazón, the company’s founder, CEO, and CSI. “Our goal is to overcome this obstacle by developing drugs that specifically target these cells, giving patients new hope where traditional approaches have failed.”
Pushing the Boundaries of Cancer Immunotherapy in Europe
Adaptam’s funding comes during a growing wave of European investment in cancer immunotherapy innovation. Companies like France’s Exeliom Biosciences raised €2.85 million, Sweden’s Lithea AB €851,000, and the UK’s Trogenix closed a large €80 million funding round.
While the funding amounts differ, this latest round shows increasing investor confidence in the ability of European companies to create new immunotherapeutic solutions that target the tumor microenvironment.
Adaptam focuses on a specific type of cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDCs), which create an environment within the tumor that weakens T cells’ ability to attack it. By focusing on these cells through glyco-immune checkpoints, the company aims to reactivate the immune system to combat solid tumors more effectively.
Research Expertise and Strategic Investment Partnerships
Adaptam was launched in 2023 as a research spin-off from the CIC bioGUNE center in Bilbao, based on research led by Professor Balazón and his team. The company currently supports its programs with funding from the European Research Council (ERC) and direct involvement from Criteria Bio Ventures, whose representatives, Dr. Salvatore Capadona and Dr. Pablo Cerrone, have joined the board of directors.
“The scientific breakthroughs achieved by the Adaptam team form the basis for developing treatments that could change patients’ lives,” said Cerrone. “Their vision, which combines glycobiology and immunology, is paving the way for a new generation of precision immunotherapies.”
Adaptam is developing bispecific antibodies and drug-conjugated immunomodulators (ADCs) within its research pipeline. The company plans to launch a new funding round soon to support in vitro studies.
