Accure Therapeutics

Accure Therapeutics is a Barcelona, Spain-based biotechnology company that develops disease-modifying drugs to treat central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. The clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm advances a portfolio of neuroprotectant drug candidates, including its lead asset ACT-01 which has reached Phase 2 clinical trials. Operating through a translational research model, the enterprise seeks to commercialize or license its therapeutics to larger pharmaceutical entities. The private company launched with a €24 million Series A funding round and secured additional grants from organizations including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Its venture capital backers include Alta Life Sciences, LifeLink Ventures, and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology. Following the merger of Iproteos and Bionure, Accure Therapeutics was founded in 2020 by Laurent Nguyen and Pablo Villoslada.

High-Level Overview

Accure Therapeutics is a Barcelona-based healthtech and biotechnology startup functioning as a translational medicine engine focused on neuroscience, developing disease-modifying drugs to slow or stop progression of central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Epilepsy.[1][2][3] The company builds a portfolio of drug candidates (ACT-01, ACT-02, ACT-03) targeting innovative mechanisms, serving patients with debilitating CNS disorders through mid-stage clinical trials, with early validation via the 2022 licensing of ACT-01 to Oculis and recent €1.6M capital raise in April 2025 from investors including the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Fonds National de la Recherche de Luxembourg.[1][2] This positions Accure as a clinical-stage R&D pharma engine advancing pre-clinical assets into high-impact therapies amid growing demand for CNS treatments.[3][4]

Origin Story

Accure Therapeutics was launched in 2020 as a private pharma R&D company in Barcelona, Spain, with Series A funding led by Alta Life Sciences, integrating assets, expertise, and investors to tackle unmet needs in CNS disease modification.[2][5] Key leaders include CEO Laurent Nguyen, CSO Pablo Villoslada (a neuroscience expert), CMO Rossella Medori, and CFO Paul Bikard, supported by board members like Montserrat Vendrell (Aliath Bioventures), Philippe Monteyne (Aliath Bioventures), Pascal R.G. Nizet (life sciences advisor), Teresa Tarragó (biotech entrepreneur), and independent member Paul A. Frohna.[4] The idea emerged from an experienced team's recognition of gaps in CNS therapies, quickly gaining traction with collaborations from CERCA centres (IRB, IDIBAPS), CSIC, and Universitat de Barcelona, plus the pivotal 2022 ACT-01 licensing as its first business proof-of-concept.[1][2]

Core Differentiators

• Targeted Disease-Modifying Focus: Pursues innovative targets in Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Epilepsy with a portfolio (ACT-01, ACT-02, ACT-03) designed to alter disease progression, not just symptoms, via a streamlined model integrating assets, people, and R&D programs.[2][3]
• Translational Expertise: Experienced team advances pre-clinical candidates to mid-stage clinical trials, leveraging partnerships with top research institutions like IRB, IDIBAPS, CSIC, and Universitat de Barcelona for rapid de-risking and proof-of-concept.[1][4]
• Efficient R&D Engine: Operates as a "straightforward corporate model" for scalability, evidenced by quick milestones like ACT-01 licensing to Oculis in 2022 and €1.6M funding in 2025 from specialized investors like Michael J. Fox Foundation.[1][2]
• Strong Leadership and Network: Combines serial biotech entrepreneurs, advisors, and venture backers (e.g., Aliath Bioventures) for operational depth in neuroscience R&D.[4][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Accure Therapeutics rides the wave of advancing deeptech in neuroscience and healthtech, where breakthroughs in omic sciences and biotechnology enable precise CNS therapies amid an aging global population driving demand for disease-modifying drugs.[1][3] Timing is ideal post-2020 launch, aligning with increased funding for CNS innovation—exemplified by their 2025 raise amid regulatory pushes for faster trials—and collaborations with public research entities that amplify Barcelona's biotech hub status.[1][2] Market forces like rising Parkinson's and MS prevalence, plus investor interest from foundations targeting neurodegeneration, favor Accure's model, influencing the ecosystem by licensing assets (e.g., to Oculis) and expanding portfolios to set benchmarks for translational efficiency in Europe's deeptech scene.[1][2][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Accure is poised to expand its pipeline beyond ACT-01/02/03 into additional CNS indications, leveraging recent funding for clinical advancement and potential new partnerships.[1][2] Trends like AI-driven drug discovery, precision neurology, and global CNS investment surges (e.g., from foundations) will accelerate their trajectory, potentially yielding more licensings or Phase III entries by 2027-2028. Their influence may grow as a model for agile, Barcelona-rooted biotech engines, bridging academia and pharma to deliver societal impact in neuroscience—reinforcing their role as a high-momentum player in disease-modifying innovation.[3][4]