Adaptam Therapeutics, a biotech startup spun out of Spain's CIC bioGUNE, has secured €3 million (approximately $3.5 million) in pre-seed Adaptam Therapeutics funding. Led by Criteria Bio Ventures, this capital injection is set to propel the company’s ambitious mission: to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by disarming the tumor’s own defenses.
The core challenge Adaptam aims to tackle lies within the tumor microenvironment (TME). While immunotherapies have transformed cancer treatment, a significant number of patients, particularly those with solid tumors, still don't respond or develop resistance. The culprit? Immunosuppressive myeloid cells, like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which actively suppress the immune system's ability to fight cancer. These cells create a hostile environment, effectively shielding cancer cells from attack.
Adaptam’s approach is distinct. Instead of directly targeting cancer cells, they are developing first-in-class antibody-based therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies, that specifically target novel glyco-immune checkpoints. These checkpoints are selectively expressed on the immunosuppressive myeloid cells themselves. The idea is to neutralize these immune suppressors, thereby "unlocking" the immune system to effectively attack the tumor.
"Immunosuppressive myeloid cells within tumors present one of the toughest challenges in immunotherapy today," stated Asis Palazon, PhD, founder, CEO, and CSO of Adaptam. "Our goal is to neutralize this obstacle by developing therapies that specifically target these cells, offering patients new hope where traditional approaches have failed." The pre-seed Adaptam Therapeutics funding will enable the company to advance its programs into the preclinical phase across multiple oncology indications.
Disrupting the Tumor's Shield
This strategy represents a significant shift in immuno-oncology. Current therapies often struggle against the TME's formidable defenses. By focusing on the myeloid cells that orchestrate this suppression, Adaptam hopes to create a more permissive environment for immune cells to function. Pablo Cironi, PhD, chairman of the Adaptam board and from Criteria Bio Ventures, emphasized this, noting that 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."
The company originated from foundational research by Prof. Asis Palazon and his team at CIC bioGUNE, with some core discoveries previously published in *Nature Communications*. This scientific pedigree, combined with the strategic backing from Criteria Bio Ventures, positions Adaptam to potentially deliver game-changing treatments for patients with solid tumors, addressing critical gaps in current immunotherapy options. Adaptam is already planning its next funding round to support IND-enabling studies, signaling a rapid progression towards clinical trials.
