LINKING TARGETED CANCER THERAPY TO BETTER PATIENT OUTCOMES
ABOUT US
Spirea, a biotech company spun out from the University of Cambridge, is committed to delivering the next generation of Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutics to revolutionise cancer treatment and improve the lives of patients.
We are building a pipeline of inhouse and partnered therapeutic programmes with a focus on those disease indications where there is the greatest unmet need. Our first programme targets a tumour marker overexpressed in several high unmet need cancers including breast cancer.
We have validated the platform with highly promising in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetic and tolerability data with a variety of different payloads, and we are collaborating or are in advanced discussions with several pharma-biotech companies on innovative therapeutic assets.
Spirea is currently raising a series A financing to close in 2024 to enable the company to access the huge opportunity of targeted cancer therapeutics.
OUR TECHNOLOGY
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) combine the targeting of a monoclonal antibody with the therapeutic activity of a small drug payload. The antibody and the payload are connected by a linker which modulates the release of the payload to exert a targeted therapeutic effect.
To date, the field has been severely constrained in the type of small drug payload that can be incorporated into an ADC due to the hydrophobic nature of the payloads resulting in aggregation and very poor pharmacokinetics. The overwhelming majority of ADCs currently in development, or on the market, incorporate highly toxic small drug payloads which cause serious side-effects leading to a limitation in patient dosing and therefore efficacy.
Spirea has developed a new and highly flexible ADC linker platform technology (‘hiDAR’) which enables:
The incorporation of chemically diverse payloads with diverse modes-of-action
Drug pharmacokinetics unaffected by the choice of payload
ADCs with tailored drug-to-antibody ratios of 4, 8, 16 or more
The ability to predictably translate ADC design into ADC manufacturing
HiDAR will enable Spirea and its partners to develop ADCs that will effectively treat more patients across more indications and subpopulations.
By delivering the right amount of the right drug to the right cells, Spirea will unlock a new generation of accessible, powerful, and well-tolerated medicines for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.
MEET THE TEAM
DR MYRIAM OUBERAI
CEO & Founder
Myriam Ouberai is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spirea. Myriam holds a PhD in Chemistry and has significant experience in drug delivery and biopharmaceuticals in both academia and industry. Prior to Spirea, Myriam was a Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, Nanoscience Centre. In 2018, Myriam was selected as one of 50 Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness by UK biotech platform BioBeat.
Adam Collier is the Chief Business Officer. Adam has over 15 years’ experience in biotech management, business development and early-stage company formation. He holds a PhD in Virology from the University of Bath and an MBA from the Judge Business School, Cambridge. He has held several senior business development and management positions at Medimmune, Ablynx and Isogenica, and was a Founder-Director of Horizon Discovery Ltd.
DR ADAM COLLIER
Chief Business Officer
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
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BOARD
SUPPORTED BY
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NEWS
Spirea presents its antibody drug conjugate technology at BioEquity 2023
16 May 2023
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Adam Collier today gave a Next Wave presentation at BioEquity 2023 in Dublin on Spirea’s hiDAR antibody drug conjugate linker technology and the company’s upcoming R&D plans.
Spirea presents its antibody drug conjugate technology at AACR 2023 in Orlando, Florida
17 April, 2023
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Dr Ludovic Juen, today presented a poster entitled, “A novel antibody-drug conjugate platform enabling high drug-to-antibody ratios and greater payload flexibility” at AACR 2023 in Orlando, Florida. We are delighted by the level of interest in the exciting new data presented and the potential for Spirea’s technology to transform the effectiveness and tolerability of ADCs.
Spirea included as one of the winners at the #21toWatch awards 2023
02 March, 2023
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Spirea Limited is delighted to announce that the company is one of the winners at the Cofinitive #21toWatch awards which took place in Cambridge on March 2nd, 2023. The award recognises exciting new companies across all market sectors from Cambridge and the east of England.
Spirea appoints Scientific Advisory Board of international ADC experts
09 January, 2023
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Spirea Limited is delighted to announce that Prof John Hartley, Dr Anthony Tolcher, Dr Rakesh Dixit, and Dr Paul Varley will be joining its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
Spirea is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Ludovic Juen as a full-time senior scientist in drug discovery
5th December, 2022
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Spirea welcomes Dr Ludovic Juen to the team as the company further strengthens its drug discovery capabilities
Spirea granted UK patent on its high drug-to-antibody ratio ADC platform technology
Spirea raises £2.4M ($3M) to develop antibody drug conjugates
in cancer
14th June, 2022
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Investment co-led by Jonathan Milner and Cambridge Enterprise
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US-based R42 Group, ACF Investors, o2h Ventures, Syndicate Room and the Cambridge Angels investing
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Funding will enable the development of Spirea’s pipeline of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumours
Spirea secures further financing to develop the next generation of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics and validates platform technology
7th December, 2020
• New financing from lead o2h Ventures and Syndicate Room, follows funding from Jonathan Milner and Start Codon, announced in July 2020
• Spirea’s novel antibody drug conjugate platform technology has been successfully validated following in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies
Spirea completes seed funding round to develop the next generation of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics
13th July, 2020
• Spirea, a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, has developed a novel antibody drug conjugate platform and aims to reshape the future of cancer treatment
• Spirea’s flexible technology achieves a high and stable drug-to-antibody ratio resulting in an improved therapeutic index to treat a wider range of patients
• Seed investment from Meltwind and Start Codon will accelerate in vivo proof-of-concept studies which are scheduled for completion by Q4 2020
Start Codon showcases the first cohort of companies from its life science business acceleration programme
22nd June, 2020
Start Codon, a new model of life science and healthcare business accelerator, today proudly debuts its first cohort of start-up companies. Start Codon aims to minimise
risk and translate early stage research into successful start-ups, ready for funding and partnership. Start Codon has worked closely with four exciting life science and healthcare companies that were enrolled into the programme in February this year.
Spirea Ltd receives pre-seed funding from the University of Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds
4th December, 2019
Spirea Ltd today announced that it is delighted to have received pre-seed funding from the University of Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds. The funding will be used to further optimise Spirea’s approach to the development of safe and effective antibody drug conjugates for use in cancer therapeutics, and to further strengthen the company’s intellectual property position. Dr Myriam Ouberai, CEO of Spirea, commented, “I am grateful for the support and advice of Cambridge Enterprise and very much look forward to continuing to work with them as Spirea evolves into a successful ADC development organisation."
Dr Myriam Ouberai selected as a BioBusiness Mover and Shaker
9th November, 2018
Dr Myriam Ouberai, CEO of Spirea Ltd and a Lucy Cavendish College Associate, has been selected as one of 50 Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness for 2018. She was awarded this title by the biotech platform BioBeat, which celebrates her as an inspiring, innovating female leader in healthcare. Myriam commented, "I am very grateful to the many exceptional mentors in the biotech sector, at Accelerate Cambridge and Lucy Cavendish College, who are supporting me in every step of the way in my entrepreneurial journey."
Spirea Ltd receives pre-seed funding from IP Group
26th July, 2018
Spirea Ltd today announced that it is delighted to have received additional pre-seed funding support from IP Group. This funding will be used to further validate Spirea’s approach to the development of next-generation antibody drug conjugates for use in cancer therapeutics. Dr Myriam Ouberai, CEO of Spirea, commented, “I am grateful for IP Group’s ongoing support and very much look forward to continuing to work with them."
Spirea awarded grant by Innovate UK and matched pre-seed funding from IP Group
17th December, 2017
Spirea Ltd today announced that it is pleased to have been awarded a grant by Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) for the development of advanced therapies in cancer using a high loaded targeted delivery platform technology. The company is also delighted to announce that it has also received matching pre-seed funding from IP Group. Together, this funding will permit Spirea to advance its next-generation antibody drug conjugates technology for use in the development of safe and effective cancer therapeutics.
GET IN TOUCH
We are always very interested in speaking with potential investors, partners and collaborators so please do get in touch.