What Spica Therapeutics does

Spica Therapeutics is a Belgian biotech company founded in 2024 to develop macrophage-targeted therapies for oncology and fibroinflammatory diseases. The company is built on research from the University of Aarhus, Southern Denmark University, and INSERM, and is headquartered in Belgium with R&D operations in Denmark. Its core asset is a proprietary "functional macrophage fingerprinting" platform that identifies and selectively modulates disease-relevant macrophage subsets — a more granular approach than broad macrophage depletion. The company is advancing two lead programs: ST101, an anti-CD163 antibody targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to overcome resistance in first-line solid tumor indications (nominated as a Clinical Development Candidate in 2025), and a second undisclosed program in fibroinflammatory disease.

The company operates a clinical-stage biotech business model powered by Bioqube Ventures' venture creation framework. Spica has raised approximately €11 million in total funding — a €10 million seed round co-led by Bioqube Ventures, PMV, and Qbic Fund, supplemented by a €1 million VLAIO grant. Revenue mechanics are pre-commercial: the company has no approved products, no disclosed customers, and future monetization is expected to come from licensing, co-development partnerships, and eventual product commercialization through traditional pharmaceutical distribution. The operating model relies on outsourced development capabilities (e.g., cell line development via ProBioGen), a lean internal team of 1–10 employees, and capital-efficient progression through preclinical and early clinical milestones.

Name

Spica Therapeutics

Legal name

Spica Therapeutics

Website

https://spicatx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spica Therapeutics is a Belgium-based clinical-stage biotech developing macrophage-targeted therapies using its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting platform, with lead candidate ST101 (anti-CD163 antibody) for solid tumors and a second program in fibroinflammatory disease.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

In Vivo Discovery & Translational Models Platforms (humanized models, PK/PD, efficacy) (HLAAAIAK)

Keywords

• Macrophage-targeted therapies
• Antibody therapeutics
• Immuno-oncology drugs
• Fibroinflammatory disease treatments
• Clinical-stage biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerp

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Development and Licensing: As a clinical-stage biotech, Spica Therapeutics generates revenue through the development and potential licensing of novel macrophage-targeted therapies. Revenue would be derived from licensing deals, co-development partnerships, and eventual product commercialization across oncology and fibroinflammatory disease indications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Spica Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing macrophage-targeted therapies using its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting platform. Its lead candidate, ST101, is an anti-CD163 antibody designed to overcome resistance in first-line solid tumor indications, while a second undisclosed program targets fibroinflammatory diseases. The company is advancing these candidates toward future development milestones and potential licensing or commercialization.

Product overview

Spica Therapeutics is a biotech company developing a pipeline of macrophage-targeted therapies leveraging its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting technology platform. The company has two lead programs in development: ST101 (anti-CD163 antibody for oncology) and a second undisclosed program targeting fibroinflammatory diseases. The proprietary platform enables identification and selective targeting of disease-relevant macrophage subsets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ST101 Anti-CD163 antibody therapeutic candidate targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) for treatment of solid tumor indications, designed to overcome resistance in first-line treatment settings.
• Undisclosed Fibroinflammatory Program Second lead program targeting fibroinflammatory diseases, leveraging Spica's functional macrophage fingerprinting platform to modulate pathogenic macrophage subsets.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ProBioGencoreTechnology or Integration · 11 December 2025ProBioGen will perform cell line development for Spica's clinical candidate ST101, an anti-CD163 antibody targeting tumor-associated macrophages. The partnership integrates ProBioGen's GlymaxX technology to enhance the antibody's ADCC activity and support the development of ST101 toward future clinical milestones.

Scale indicators2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pionyr Immunotherapeutics: Pionyr developed antibody therapeutics targeting immunosuppressive myeloid/macrophage subsets in the tumor microenvironment. Directly comparable to Spica in that both pursue selective depletion or reprogramming of TAMs to overcome resistance to first-line cancer therapy.
• Compass Therapeutics: Compass is a clinical-stage biotech whose lead programs (e.g., CTX-471) target macrophage checkpoints such as TREM2 to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Closely aligned with Spica's strategy of selectively modulating disease-relevant macrophage subsets in oncology.
• Carisma Therapeutics: Carisma is developing engineered macrophage therapies (CAR-M) for solid tumors, centered on the premise that macrophages can be redirected against cancer. Comparable to Spica in macrophage-focused oncology mechanism, although Spica's antibody approach differs from cell therapy.
• Innate Pharma: Innate Pharma develops antibody-based immunotherapies targeting innate immune cells including macrophages and NK cells in oncology. Comparable therapeutic modality (antibodies against innate immune targets) and similar indication overlap in solid tumor resistance.
• Trillium Therapeutics (Pfizer): Trillium (acquired by Pfizer) developed antibody therapeutics targeting macrophage/myeloid checkpoints CD47 and SIRPα — the dominant macrophage-checkpoint axis in oncology. Direct mechanistic adjacency to Spica's macrophage-subset targeting strategy.
• Surface Oncology (now part of Coherus): Surface Oncology developed antibody therapies targeting immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, including macrophage-focused programs (e.g., SRF617 targeting CD39 in the myeloid compartment). Directly comparable mechanism and target patient population.

Emerging players

• Macrophage Pharma (acquired by Evox): Macrophage Pharma was a UK biotech specifically focused on macrophage-modulating therapeutics before being acquired. Closely comparable in mission and stage; demonstrates both the strategic value of the macrophage space and the consolidation risk for small players.

Broad incumbents

• Philogen: Philogen is a clinical-stage antibody biotech developing targeted immunocytokines and antibody therapeutics for cancer and inflammation. Comparable modality (antibody-based therapeutics) and dual oncology/inflammation focus, though it operates a broader platform.
• Eli Lilly (CD163/LY-M18 program): Lilly has historically pursued CD163-targeted therapeutics via its partnership with the Møller research group, making it the most relevant incumbent with direct interest in the same target biology as Spica. Largest potential acquirer or competitor in the CD163 space.

Others

• Bioqube Ventures: Bioqube is Spica's venture creation partner and seed-round lead. Relevant ecosystem participant that both backs and operationalizes Spica; comparable as an investor/incubator model for European biotech creation rather than a direct therapeutic competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spica-therapeutics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spica Therapeutics