Spica Therapeutics

Founding and History

Spica Therapeutics was founded on pioneering macrophage biology research originating from the University of Aarhus, the University of Southern Denmark, and INSERM (Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy). The company emerged from stealth in January 2025, supported by Bioqube Ventures’ venture creation model. In June 2025, Spica announced the close of a €10 million Seed financing round, and in August 2025 it reported securing a €1 million grant from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) to accelerate development of its lead oncology program toward early IND-enabling studies.

Therapy Areas and Focus

Spica Therapeutics focuses on identifying and targeting pathogenic macrophage subsets to address diseases where macrophages drive pathology. Current focus areas include:

• Oncology: targeting immunosuppressive, disease-driving macrophage populations in solid tumors
• Fibroinflammatory diseases: addressing macrophage-driven inflammation and tissue remodeling
• Autoimmune diseases: leveraging macrophage subset biology as a therapeutic entry point

Technology Platforms and Modalities

Spica’s core platform is its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting technology, designed to identify disease-relevant macrophage subsets and enable selective targeting strategies. Its lead therapeutic approach includes depleting anti-CD163 monoclonal antibodies aimed at eliminating pathogenic macrophage subsets implicated in oncology and fibroinflammatory disease biology.

Key Personnel

• James Rush, PhD: Chief Executive Officer
• Jim Van heusden, PhD: Independent Chairman
• Anders Etzerodt, PhD: Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder
• Jonas H. Graversen, PhD: Danish Site Head & Co-founder
• Hilde Revets, PhD: Director, Non-clinical Development (also referenced in non-clinical/operations leadership in public communications)
• Geert Tackaert, MEc: Finance Director

Strategic Partnerships

Spica has highlighted collaborations in Belgium to strengthen translational development, including work with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and VIB. Public communications around the VLAIO grant also reference collaboration with VUB- and VIB-associated groups focused on molecular imaging/therapy and myeloid cell immunology, supporting target validation, translational studies, and non-clinical development.

FAQ Section

What is Spica Therapeutics’ core science and biotech platform?
Spica’s foundation is built on functional macrophage fingerprinting—profiling and characterizing macrophage subsets to identify which are pathogenic in specific diseases, then designing therapies that selectively modulate or deplete those subsets.

What diseases and therapeutic areas does Spica Therapeutics focus on?
Spica’s stated focus spans oncology and fibroinflammatory diseases, with broader applicability in autoimmune disease where macrophage subpopulations are implicated in driving inflammation, immune suppression, or tissue damage.

What programs and products are in Spica Therapeutics’ clinical pipeline?
Spica has described advancing two lead programs, including depleting anti-CD163 monoclonal antibody programs. Public updates around 2025 funding and grant support emphasize progression toward early IND-enabling studies, with an oncology program specifically called out for acceleration.

What is the latest company news and recent Spica Therapeutics events?
Key 2025 milestones include: (1) emergence from stealth in January 2025, (2) a €10 million Seed financing announced in June 2025, and (3) a €1 million VLAIO grant announced in August 2025 to support IND-enabling progress of its lead oncology program.

What clinical trial data and results has Spica Therapeutics announced?
Spica’s publicly described programs are in preclinical development, with communications focused on platform rationale, target biology, and advancement into IND-enabling studies rather than released human clinical data.

What are Spica Therapeutics’ regulatory interactions and upcoming milestones?
Near-term milestones described publicly center on progressing lead assets into early IND-enabling studies, supported by the Seed financing and VLAIO grant, alongside ongoing translational collaborations intended to support eventual clinical entry.

Who comprises Spica Therapeutics’ leadership team and what is their track record?
Spica’s leadership includes experienced biotech executives and scientific founders spanning CEO James Rush and Chairman Jim Van heusden, alongside scientific leadership from macrophage biology experts including CSO/co-founder Anders Etzerodt and Danish site head/co-founder Jonas H. Graversen, supported by non-clinical and finance leadership to drive preclinical development toward the clinic.