Bioqube Ventures Unveils Spica Therapeutics to Pioneer Macrophage-Subset Targeted Therapies
- Innovating macrophage-targeted therapeutics across multiple therapeutic areas
- Proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting technology identifies disease-relevant macrophage subsets
- Strengthened by the appointments of James Rush as CEO and Jim Van Heusden as Chairman
Backed by Bioqube Ventures’ venture creation model
Brussels, Belgium, January 9, 2025 – Spica Therapeutics (“Spica”), a pioneering biotech company focused on macrophage biology, today announced its emergence from stealth mode, supported by Bioqube Ventures. Headquartered in Flanders, Belgium, with operations in Aarhus, Denmark, Spica is developing a proprietary platform technology to selectively target macrophage subsets. The company’s initial focus includes two lead programs addressing immunosuppressive macrophage subpopulations in oncology and fibroinflammatory diseases.
Spica was founded on groundbreaking research into macrophage biology conducted at the University of Aarhus and Southern Denmark University. The company’s foundational work, including novel insights into its lead target, was recently published in Nature Communications.
“We are thrilled to see our groundbreaking scientific foundations evolve into potentially life-changing therapies with Bioqube’s hands-on support,” said Dr. Anders Etzerodt, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).
“Targeting macrophage subsets paves the way for novel therapies across a range of diseases,” added Debbie Dumont, Managing Partner at Bioqube Ventures. “Spica’s impressive progress underscores the strength of our venture creation model.”
Coinciding with the financing, Spica Therapeutics has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of industry veterans James Rush as CEO and Jim Van Heusden as Chairman of the Board. These leaders bring extensive experience in drug development and biotech growth, positioning Spica for its next phase of development.
“Spica’s approach to modulating macrophages is truly innovative, and I am excited to support this talented team,” said Jim Van Heusden.
James Rush added, “Our novel, human disease-based insights into pathogenic macrophage subsets have laid the foundation for two exciting lead programs. Building on Bioqube’s Pre-Seed investment, we are now raising a Seed round to advance the platform and move both programs towards clinical trials.”
For more information, visit Spicatx.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
About Bioqube Ventures
Bioqube Ventures is a specialist life sciences investment firm based in Europe and US with a global footprint. We source, finance and develop innovative therapeutic assets and technologies. We put our venture creation experience at work to translate and de-risk scientific innovation, advancing our investment portfolio and maximising value for investors.
https://www.bioqubeventures.com/
About Spica Therapeutics
Spica Therapeutics is a pioneering biotech company dedicated to transforming macrophage biology into breakthrough therapies for patients across multiple therapeutic areas. Leveraging its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting technology, Spica identifies and selectively targets disease-relevant macrophage subsets to address unmet medical needs in oncology and fibroinflammatory diseases.
Founded on groundbreaking research conducted at the University of Aarhus and Southern Denmark University, Spica operates from its headquarters in Flanders, Belgium, with additional operations in Aarhus, Denmark. Backed by Bioqube Ventures’ venture creation model, the company is advancing a robust pipeline of innovative therapies designed to modulate macrophages and improve patient outcomes.
For more information, visit spicatx.com.
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