Spanish biotech startup Adaptam Therapeutics has raised €3 million in a pre-seed financing round led by Criteria Bio Ventures. The funding will accelerate the development of Adaptam’s first-in-class antibody-based therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies, aimed at treating multiple forms of cancer.
Breaking the barriers of the tumour microenvironment
While immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer care, many patients still see limited results. The main culprit lies within the tumour microenvironment (TME), a complex network of cells that can suppress immune activity. In solid tumours, immunosuppressive myeloid cells, particularly tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), play a central role in weakening T-cell responses.
Adaptam’s approach focuses on disrupting this suppression. By targeting novel glyco-immune checkpoints that are selectively expressed on these myeloid cells, the company seeks to reawaken the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. This could mark a major advance for patients who have not responded to existing immunotherapies.
From academic insight to clinical innovation
Adaptam was founded from the pioneering research of Prof. Asis Palazon at CIC bioGUNE in Bilbao, Spain. His work on immune regulation in cancer laid the foundation for the company’s scientific strategy. The startup was formed with guidance from Criteria Bio Ventures, which contributed to Adaptam’s corporate design and early operations. Palazon’s research also received support from the “la Caixa” Foundation through a Caixa Research Health grant in 2021.
The company is now preparing to move its lead programs into the preclinical phase. This step will be crucial in validating its novel targets and therapeutic mechanisms across several oncology indications.
Building momentum for a new class of therapies
Joining Adaptam’s board are Salvatore Cappadona, PhD, and Pablo Cironi, PhD, both representing Criteria Bio Ventures. Their expertise will help steer the company through its next phase of growth and ensure its research transitions efficiently from the lab toward clinical testing.
As Adaptam advances, its ambition is to create a new generation of cancer immunotherapies that overcome immune resistance and deliver lasting benefits for patients with solid tumours. With this financing, the Spanish biotech is positioning itself as a rising force in precision oncology, bridging cutting-edge science with meaningful therapeutic impact.
“Immunosuppressive myeloid cells within tumours present one of the toughest challenges in immunotherapy today. Our goal is to neutralise this obstacle by developing therapies that specifically target these cells, offering patients new hope where traditional approaches have failed,” said Asis Palazon, PhD, founder, CEO and CSO of Adaptam. “The support from Criteria Bio Ventures enables us to take a step forward in achieving our mission. We are now actively planning our next funding round to support IND-enabling studies.”
“We are thrilled to support Adaptam in its mission to transform cancer treatment by targeting the immunosuppressive cells within the TME. The scientific breakthroughs achieved by Prof. Asis Palazon and his team have laid the groundwork for potentially life-changing therapies,” said Pablo Cironi, PhD, chairman of the Adaptam board. “With this strong foundation, we believe Adaptam is well-positioned to deliver new, effective treatments for patients with solid tumours, addressing critical gaps in current immunotherapy options.”
“CIC bioGUNE’s long-standing leadership in glycobiology provided the scientific foundation for Adaptam, and we have supported the company from its earliest steps through to today’s preclinical maturation,” said Prof. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, scientific director of CIC bioGUNE.
“Adaptam’s differentiated approach at the intersection of myeloid-mediated immunosuppression and glycobiology represents a one-of-a-kind vision uniquely positioned to unlock the next frontier in cancer immunotherapy. We are proud to have partnered with Asis Palazon to build this exciting new venture and support its next phase of development. We are confident that Adaptam’s emerging pipeline offers a game-changing opportunity to transform cancer treatment for many patients,” said Salvatore Cappadona, PhD, board member of Adaptam.
