Spica Therapeutics Secures €1 Million VLAIO Grant to Advance Groundbreaking Macrophage-Targeted Cancer Therapy
Antwerp, Belgium - 27 August, 2025 - Spica Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech company focused on harnessing macrophage biology to develop transformative therapies across multiple disease areas, announced today that it has been awarded a €1.0 million grant from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
This two-year grant will accelerate the development of Spica’s lead anti-CD163 depleting monoclonal antibody program in oncology, propelling it toward early Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies.
James Rush, CEO of Spica Therapeutics, stated:
“We are honored that VLAIO recognizes the potential of our innovative approach to selectively target disease-relevant macrophage subsets. This funding will significantly strengthen our efforts to advance our lead anti-CD163 monoclonal antibody into IND-enabling studies. It also underscores Spica’s deep integration within Flanders’ world-class innovation ecosystem—an environment that continues to fuel our global mission.”
As part of the VLAIO-supported initiative, Spica will collaborate with leading academic partners in Flanders:
- The Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH) research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), led by Prof. Nick Devoogdt, renowned for his translational work in radiotracer development for non-invasive imaging of cancer and immune cells.
- The Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab at VIB and the Brussels Center for Immunology (BCIM) at VUB, under the leadership of Prof. Jo Van Ginderachter, internationally recognized for his research on the role of myeloid cells - particularly macrophages - in cancer and infectious diseases.
Hilde Revets, Director of Non-Clinical Operations and Anders Etzerodt, CSO at Spica Therapeutics, added:
“These collaborations will be instrumental in deepening our understanding of macrophage biology and accelerating the translation of our therapeutic candidates. We’re excited to work alongside such esteemed partners to bring new hope to patients.”
About Spica Therapeutics
Spica Therapeutics NV is a cutting-edge biotechnology company committed to transforming macrophage biology into breakthrough therapies for patients across a range of therapeutic areas. Founded on pioneering research from the University of Aarhus, Southern Denmark University, and INSERM, Spica is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, with an additional site in Denmark.
Leveraging its proprietary functional macrophage fingerprinting technology, Spica is uniquely positioned to identify and selectively target disease-relevant macrophage subsets. This platform enables the development of novel therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in oncology, fibroinflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
Spica is currently advancing two lead programs with the goal of delivering life-changing treatments to patients worldwide. The company is backed by prominent investors, including Bioqube Ventures, Flanders Future TechFund (managed by PMV), and QBIC.
About VUB
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.
About VIB
VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, operating in close partnership with the Flemish universities and renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB's mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders (Belgium).
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