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
- Powered 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 Belgium, with a site in 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, Southern Denmark University and INSERM. The company’s foundational work, including novel insights into its lead target, was recently published in Nature Communications.
“We are thrilled to see our scientific foundations evolve into potentially life-changing therapies with Bioqube’s hands-on support,” said Anders Etzerodt, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).
“Targeting macrophage subsets paves the way for novel therapies across a range of diseases,” added Debora Dumont, Managing Partner at Bioqube Ventures. “Spica’s impressive progress underscores the strength of our venture creation model.”
Coinciding with the unstealthing, 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 seasoned professionals bring extensive experience in drug development and executive leadership, 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. With the continued backing of Bioqube, we are well positioned to raise a seed round to advance the platform and move both programs towards clinical trials.”
About Bioqube Ventures
Bioqube Ventures is an early-stage global life sciences investment firm with offices in Belgium and San Diego, CA. We source, finance and develop first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics to treat patients suffering from debilitating diseases. With our product focused investment strategy we aim to build balanced portfolios spanning company creation, preclinical and early clinical investments.
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, Southern Denmark University and INSERM, Spica operates from its headquarters in Belgium, with a site in Aarhus, Denmark. Powered by Bioqube Ventures’ venture creation model, the company is advancing a robust pipeline of innovative therapies designed to modulate macrophages and improve patient outcomes.
https://www.spicatx.com
For media & investors:
spicatx@backstagecom.be