VERAXA Biotech

What VERAXA Biotech does

VERAXA Biotech AG is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation antibody-based cancer therapies built around its proprietary BiTAC (Bi-Targeted Tumor-Associated Cytotoxicity) platform. The platform's core innovation is a combinatorial-gated AND-gate antibody architecture in which two complementary precursors only form an active therapeutic when both targets are co-localized on cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue that expresses only a single target. This architecture underpins two modalities: BiTAC-TCE (bispecific T-cell engagers delivering split CD3-binding moieties) and BiTAC-ADC (antibody-drug conjugates delivering a systemically inactive prodrug plus a cell-impermeable proactivator). Supporting technologies include a site-specific trans-cyclooctene click chemistry conjugation platform and a droplet-based microfluidic functional antibody screening system. The pipeline comprises nine programs, including a lead program in active Phase 1 trials in leukemia and BiTAC-TCE/ADC programs targeting colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer, with a stated goal of three proprietary programs in the clinic by 2029.

The company is incorporated in Switzerland (VERAXA Biotech AG, Zurich), with its R&D headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and operates as a portfolio company of Swiss life sciences incubator Xlife Sciences AG. It became publicly traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market (ticker VRXA) on June 11, 2026 via a business combination with Voyager Acquisition Corp. at an implied pro-forma equity value of approximately $1.64 billion. The transaction layered approximately $253 million from Voyager's trust, a $27.5 million senior secured convertible note from High Trail Capital LP, and a $50 million share purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund onto the balance sheet.

VERAXA is pre-revenue and does not yet commercialize products; revenue, when generated, is expected to flow from pipeline development, future product sales, and strategic co-development/licensing arrangements with pharmaceutical partners. Active partnerships include co-discovery alliances with OmniAb (bispecific ADC), Secarna Pharmaceuticals (antibody oligonucleotide conjugates in autoimmune/inflammation), and Navigo Proteins (radioimmunoconjugates). Go-to-market is partnership-driven, channeled through scientific conferences (BIO International Convention, AACR), investor relations, and direct business development aimed at pharmaceutical collaborators.

Name

VERAXA Biotech

Legal name

VERAXA GmbH

Website

https://veraxa.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Ipo

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VERAXA Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation antibody-based cancer therapies using its proprietary BiTAC platform, an AND-gate antibody architecture enabling tumor-selective T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates for solid tumors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

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

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Bispecific & Multispecific Antibodies (HLAAAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) & Antibody Conjugates (HLAAAAAE), Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Antibody drug conjugates
• Bispecific antibodies
• Cancer immunotherapy
• T cell engagers
• Biopharmaceutical development

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pipeline Development and Potential Commercialization: Pre-revenue biotech company developing next-generation antibody-based cancer therapies. Revenue expected from future product sales following clinical development and regulatory approval of BiTAC-TCE and BiTAC-ADC candidates.
2. Strategic Partnerships and Licensing: Company pursues co-development and partnership agreements with pharmaceutical companies for its BiTAC platforms, generating potential upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalty revenue.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VERAXA Biotech develops next-generation antibody-based cancer therapeutics using its proprietary BiTAC (Bi-Targeted Tumor-Associated Cytotoxicity) platform, which delivers conditionally-activated, AND-gated therapeutic molecules that only activate when both target antigens are co-localized on cancer cells. The portfolio includes two modalities—BiTAC-TCE (bispecific T-cell engagers) and BiTAC-ADC (antibody-drug conjugates)—supported by a high-throughput droplet-based microfluidic antibody screening platform and site-specific click chemistry conjugation technology.

Product overview

VERAXA Biotech is building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics for cancer treatment. The company's portfolio centers on its proprietary BiTAC (Bi-Targeted Tumor-Associated Cytotoxicity) platform, which enables two distinct therapeutic modalities: BiTAC-TCE (T-cell engagers) and BiTAC-ADC (antibody-drug conjugates). Supporting these core products is a Functional Antibody Screening Platform utilizing high-throughput droplet-based microfluidics for antibody discovery, and an ADC Technology platform providing site-specific click chemistry conjugation capabilities. The company is advancing multiple BiTAC-based programs toward clinical development, with its lead program in AML currently in clinical studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BiTAC-TCE (Bispecific T-cell Engagers)

Quantifiable outcome

• BiTAC-TCE demonstrates superior safety profile with no signs of toxicity in transgenic mouse model (vs. EpCAM-targeting TCE control showing toxicity) while maintaining matching efficacy in CRC CDX models
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Secarna PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Strategic research collaboration to develop next-generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, combining Secarna's AI-empowered OligoCreator platform with VERAXA's click chemistry conjugation technology. Partnership expands VERAXA's oncology focus into immunology with targeted gene expression modulation.
• OmniAb, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2025Co-discovery alliance to develop a novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate (bsADC) program targeting solid tumors. Combines OmniAb's transgenic antibody discovery technology with VERAXA's proprietary ADC linker technology. Resulting bsADC program will be jointly owned with shared future revenues from development, licensing, and commercialization.
• Navigo Proteins GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024Research collaboration to develop novel radioimmunoconjugates for diagnosing and treating challenging cancers using Navigo's Affilin platform with VERAXA's proprietary trans-cyclooctene-based click chemistry technology via pre-targeting strategy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ImmunoGen: ADC pioneer acquired by AbbVie in 2024 for ~$10.1B; developed approved ADCs (Elahere). Direct ADC competitor where VERAXA's BiTAC-ADC platform targets next-generation tumor-selective ADCs.
• MacroGenics: Clinical-stage biotech developing bispecific antibodies including DART and TRIDENT platforms for oncology, with both TCEs and ADCs; directly comparable to VERAXA's bispecific approach.
• Mersana Therapeutics: Clinical-stage ADC company developing next-generation ADCs with novel payloads and linkers; competing with VERAXA BiTAC-ADC in the tumor-selective ADC space.
• Harpoon Therapeutics: Develops T-cell engagers for cancer; was acquired by Merck in 2024 for ~$680M. Direct competitor in bispecific TCE space where VERAXA's BiTAC-TCE platform competes. VERAXA's CSO Rick Austin was previously at Harpoon.
• Pyxis Oncology: Clinical-stage oncology company developing antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapies; competes with VERAXA in the next-generation ADC and tumor-selective antibody space.
• CytomX Therapeutics: Develops conditionally activated ADCs (Probody platform) and TCEs that are activated in tumor microenvironment; most directly comparable to VERAXA's conditional AND-gate safety approach.
• Bolt Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage developer of immune-stimulating ADCs (ISACs), Boltbody platform; adjacent ADC innovator targeting cancer through next-generation antibody conjugates comparable to VERAXA BiTAC-ADC.
• Zymeworks: Bispecific antibody developer with Azymetric platform; recently pivoted to focus on oncology pipeline including T-cell engagers and ADCs, competing in same oncology bispecific space as VERAXA.

Emerging players

• Adagene: Clinical-stage biotech using AI-driven antibody discovery and PowerBody conditional activation platform for safer ADCs and bispecifics; smaller, Asia-rooted peer with similar conditional targeting thesis.
• Iconic Bio: Emerging German biotech developing next-generation bispecific antibodies for cancer; smaller, regional player with overlap in bispecific antibody engineering focus comparable to VERAXA's BiTAC platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veraxa-biotech
• Xx.com/VERAXABiotech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about VERAXA Biotech