Emerging biotech Adaptam Therapeutics has raised €3 million in pre-seed funding to advance a new class of cancer immunotherapies that target immunosuppressive myeloid cells, a key driver of resistance in solid tumors.
The round was led by Criteria Bio Ventures, which also joins the company’s board through Dr. Salvatore Cappadona and Dr. Pablo Cironi. The investment will enable Adaptam to progress its early-stage antibody programs and move multiple candidates toward preclinical development.
“Immunosuppressive myeloid cells represent one of the toughest challenges in cancer immunotherapy,” said Dr. Asís Palazón, Founder, CEO, and CSO of Adaptam Therapeutics. “Our mission is to neutralize this obstacle by developing therapies that specifically target these cells — offering hope to patients who don’t respond to current treatments.”
Tackling the Tumor’s Hidden Defenders
Founded in 2023 as a spin-out from CIC bioGUNE in Bilbao, Adaptam Therapeutics builds on decades of academic research by Prof. Asís Palazón and his team into how tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that prevents the immune system from attacking cancer cells.
Adaptam’s platform focuses on glyco-immune checkpoints — sugar-based mechanisms that myeloid cells use to suppress immune responses. By targeting these pathways, the startup aims to reactivate the immune system and improve outcomes for patients with solid tumors, including those resistant to existing checkpoint inhibitors.
Its pipeline includes both antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies, designed to modulate the tumor microenvironment and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies.
“Adaptam’s approach sits at the intersection of myeloid biology and glycobiology — two fields that have the potential to redefine cancer treatment,” said Dr. Salvatore Cappadona, Board Member and Partner at Criteria Bio Ventures. “We believe Adaptam’s science opens a new frontier in immuno-oncology.”
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European Momentum in Immuno-Oncology
Adaptam’s raise comes amid a surge of immuno-oncology investment in Europe in 2025, with startups such as Exeliom Biosciences (France), Lithea AB (Sweden), and Trogenix (UK) all closing rounds for cancer and immunotherapy breakthroughs.
While many biotech companies target T-cells directly, Adaptam stands out for its focus on myeloid-driven immune suppression, a critical barrier in the fight against solid tumors.
“The support from Criteria Bio Ventures allows us to accelerate our mission and prepare for our next funding round to support IND-enabling studies,” added Palazón.
Building on a Strong Scientific Foundation
Adaptam’s origins lie in CIC bioGUNE’s pioneering glycobiology research, which has contributed key discoveries to understanding immune-modulating glycan-binding proteins.
“CIC bioGUNE’s leadership in glycobiology provided the foundation for Adaptam’s science,” said Prof. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director at CIC bioGUNE. “We’ve supported the company from its inception through to today’s preclinical maturation.”
About Adaptam Therapeutics
Adaptam Therapeutics is a biotech spin-off from CIC bioGUNE developing first-in-class antibody therapies for solid tumors. The company targets the immunosuppressive myeloid tumor microenvironment by modulating glyco-immune checkpoints. Backed by Criteria Bio Ventures and ERC funding, Adaptam’s pipeline of ADCs and bispecific antibodies is designed to overcome tumor resistance and unlock the next generation of cancer immunotherapies.
