What AptaTargets does

AptaTargets is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, founded in 2014 as a spin-out from Aptus Biotech to develop therapeutic aptamers — single-stranded DNA molecules selected to bind specific molecular targets with high specificity. The company's lead asset ApTOLL is a first-in-class TLR4 antagonist designed to block the inflammatory cascade triggered after acute ischemic stroke; in the Phase 1b/2a APRIL trial it reduced mortality from 18% to 5% versus placebo, cut final infarct volume by approximately 50% at the higher 0.2 mg/kg dose, and improved functional independence (64.3% mRS 0-2 at 90 days versus 46.3% for placebo). The company also develops aptamer-based candidates for intracerebral hemorrhage, acute myocardial infarction (ApSTEMI), multiple sclerosis, and COVID-19 cytokine storm (APTACOVID), and runs an underlying Therapeutic Aptamer Technology Platform targeting acute inflammatory conditions where TLR4-mediated damage is central.

The company monetizes its pipeline through a licensing and transfer model rather than direct commercialization: in October 2024 it signed a licensing and transfer agreement with Merck KGaA for ApTOLL, officially completing the asset transfer in May 2025 for global clinical development and commercialization. Capitalization has relied heavily on non-dilutive public grants from Spanish and EU programs (EIC Accelerator, CDTI, AEI Retos-Colaboración, Community of Madrid) alongside venture investment from Inveready and Caixa Capital Risc. Headcount is small (1-10 employees), the company is privately held, and ApTOLL has received EMA PRIME designation — a rare status conferring accelerated review and enhanced regulatory dialogue.

Name

AptaTargets

Legal name

APTATARGETS S.L

Website

https://aptatargets.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AptaTargets is a Madrid-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic aptamers for acute inflammatory conditions, with its lead TLR4 antagonist ApTOLL licensed to Merck KGaA for global development in acute ischemic stroke.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Drug Development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Translational Medicine & Biomarkers (HLAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rare Cardiovascular & Vascular Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Aptamer therapeutics
• Neuroprotective drugs
• Ischemic stroke treatment
• TLR4 antagonists
• Biopharmaceutical development

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Licensing and transfer agreements: AptaTargets generates revenue through licensing agreements and technology transfer deals with large pharmaceutical companies for its drug candidates. In October 2024, the company entered a licensing and transfer agreement with Merck KGaA to accelerate global clinical development and commercialization of ApTOLL. The company has also previously indicated intent to negotiate regional or global license agreements following clinical proof-of-concept.
2. Public and competitive grant funding: AptaTargets has received substantial non-dilutive funding through competitive public grant programs including EU funding (EIC Accelerator), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CDTI, RETOS, Torres Quevedo), and regional programs from the Community of Madrid. These grants support clinical development programs without requiring equity dilution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AptaTargets is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing aptamer-based therapeutics for acute inflammatory conditions. Its lead candidate ApTOLL is a first-in-class DNA aptamer that antagonizes TLR4 to provide neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. The company develops and licenses novel aptamer drug candidates to large pharmaceutical companies for global commercialization.

Product overview

AptaTargets is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic applications based on aptamer technology. The company's lead product is ApTOLL, a DNA aptamer neuroprotective drug for acute ischemic stroke that blocks TLR4 activation to inhibit inflammatory cascades. The company also develops aptamer-based therapies for other acute indications including intracerebral hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, and multiple sclerosis. ApTOLL was transferred to Merck in 2025 via licensing agreement for global clinical development and commercialization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ApTOLL ApTOLL is a first-in-class DNA aptamer neuroprotective drug that antagonizes TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) with high specificity to block the inflammatory cascade that occurs after acute ischemic stroke onset. It is administered intravenously and is the only drug in development for stroke that blocks TLR4 activation, intended for use in combination with standard recanalization therapies. ApTOLL was transferred to Merck KGaA in May 2025 via licensing and transfer agreement for global clinical development and commercialization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces mortality from 18% to 5% compared to placebo in Phase 1b/2a trial (151 patients)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Merck KGaAflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 October 2024In October 2024, AptaTargets entered a licensing and transfer agreement with Merck KGaA to accelerate global clinical development and commercialization of ApTOLL, the novel neuroprotective therapy for acute ischemic stroke. The deal transferred ApTOLL to Merck for further development. In May 2025, AptaTargets officially transferred ApTOLL to Merck. The companies were subsequently named finalists in the 2025 European Lifestars Awards for this transfer.
• Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVHIR is a key scientific partner in multiple AptaTargets clinical trials. Dr Marc Ribó, Chief Medical Officer of AptaTargets, serves at VHIR. VHIR leads the RACETOLL consortium clinical trial for ApTOLL administration in ambulances, awarded €3.5M. Also co-leads the NexTOLL Phase 2b consortium with €4M funding.
• Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIBELL is a scientific partner in multiple AptaTargets trials. IDIBELL researchers including Dr Pere Cardona co-lead consortium trials including RACETOLL and ApSTEMI. IDIBELL is part of the NexTOLL Phase 2b consortium.
• Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGTP is a scientific partner in AptaTargets' APRIL clinical trial and the RACETOLL consortium. Dr Natalia Pérez de la Ossa leads the study at IGTP. IGTP is part of the NexTOLL Phase 2b consortium.
• Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIBGI is a scientific partner in the RACETOLL consortium trial evaluating ApTOLL administration in ambulances. Dr Mikel Terceño leads the study at IDIBGI.
• Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRYCIS leads the ApSTEMI clinical trial evaluating ApTOLL for acute myocardial infarction. Dr José Luis Zamorano serves as coordinating principal investigator. IRYCIS is a founding research partner of AptaTargets.
• Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdISSC is part of the ApSTEMI consortium evaluating ApTOLL for acute myocardial infarction. Dr Antonio Fernández Ortiz leads the study at IdISSC.
• Institute of Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISABIAL is part of the ApSTEMI consortium evaluating ApTOLL for acute myocardial infarction. Dr Juan Miguel Ruiz Nodar leads the study at ISABIAL.
• OLIGOFASTX ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAptaTargets is one of seven Spanish companies in the OLIGOFASTX consortium led by Sylentis (PharmaMar Group) to accelerate RNA and oligonucleotide-based therapies for rare diseases. The consortium received €5.4M grant from CDTI (total budget €7.4M) from Next Generation EU funds. Other members include Aptus Biotech, Arthex Biotech, Nanovex, BDI Biotech, and Nostrum Biodiscovery.
• Complutense University of MadridminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAptaTargets started its drug development program in collaboration with the Complutense University of Madrid and the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital. The university provided foundational research infrastructure for aptamer development.
• Anagram CROminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnagram serves as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) for the APRIL Phase 2a clinical trial of ApTOLL in stroke patients across 16 hospitals in Spain, Germany, and France.
• ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerICEX organized the Desafia Singapore Programme 2022, a training, immersion and mentoring program to help Spanish healthcare startups enter the Asian and Pacific markets. AptaTargets participated alongside seven other biotech companies.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sylentis (PharmaMar Group): Spanish oligonucleotide therapeutics company and leader of the OLIGOFASTX consortium in which AptaTargets participates. Closely comparable given shared Spanish base, oligonucleotide/RNA-based therapeutic focus, and clinical-stage status.
• Arthex Biotech: Spanish RNA-based therapeutics developer and fellow OLIGOFASTX consortium member. Comparable as a small Spanish clinical-stage biotech developing RNA-targeted therapeutics for underserved indications.
• NoNO Inc. Clinical-stage biotech developing nerinetide and other neuroprotective agents for acute ischemic stroke. Most directly comparable to AptaTargets given the same therapeutic indication, neuroprotection mechanism, and clinical-stage status.

Emerging players

• Athersys: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing MultiStem for ischemic stroke and other acute indications. Comparable as a clinical-stage biotech pursuing novel neuroprotective/regenerative approaches for acute ischemic stroke.
• Astersa Biotech: Spanish biotech developing aptamer-based therapeutics; spun out of similar academic infrastructure. Comparable as an early-stage aptamer-platform company targeting inflammatory and CNS indications.
• Wave Life Sciences: Clinical-stage oligonucleotide therapeutics company developing stereopure nucleic acid candidates for neurological and rare diseases. Comparable given shared modality (synthetic oligonucleotides), clinical-stage CNS focus, and partnership-driven business model.
• ProQR Therapeutics: Clinical-stage RNA therapeutics company developing Axiomer RNA-editing candidates for rare and neurological diseases. Comparable given its nucleic acid therapeutic platform and clinical-stage status with CNS/rare disease focus.
• DiaMedica Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing DM199 (recombinant KLK1) for acute ischemic stroke. Comparable given the same therapeutic indication, clinical-stage status, and pursuit of adjunctive neuroprotective mechanisms in stroke.

Broad incumbents

• Ionis Pharmaceuticals: The leading antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics company with multiple approved and clinical-stage assets. Comparable given its oligonucleotide therapeutic platform, though at vastly larger scale and with broader indication coverage than AptaTargets.
• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Leader in RNAi-based nucleic acid therapeutics with multiple approved products. Comparable as an incumbent validating the clinical and commercial viability of synthetic oligonucleotide-based drugs that AptaTargets' aptamer platform sits alongside.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aptatargets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AptaTargets