Ona Therapeutics is a technology company.
Ona Therapeutics has raised $46.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Ona Therapeutics.
Ona Therapeutics has raised $46.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Ona Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other biotherapeutics targeting the biology of advanced, treatment-refractory cancers.[1][2] It focuses on novel targets identified from real-world patient samples, addressing unmet needs in solid tumors like refractory breast cancer and other prevalent types, with a pipeline including ONA-255 (ADC for breast cancer and solid tumors), ONA-389, and ONA-036 (anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody), all in preclinical stages.[1][6] The company serves advanced cancer patients lacking options after multiple treatments, solving the problem of cancer's molecular adaptations to standard therapies by designing precision ADCs for deeper, durable responses.[1][2]
Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from ICREA and IRB Barcelona, Ona has shown strong early momentum, including recognition as one of Fierce Biotech's "Fierce 15" companies in 2020, a major Series A funding round, and partnerships like those with Reveal Genomics for diagnostics and Biocytogen for antibody development.[3][4][2] Headquartered in Barcelona Science Park, it maintains two wholly owned internal programs led by a multinational team of biotech executives.[1][3]
Ona Therapeutics was founded in 2019 by Salvador Aznar-Benitah, an ICREA research professor, and Valerie Vanhooren, who serves as CEO and co-founder, as a spin-out from ICREA and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona).[1][3] The idea emerged from Aznar-Benitah's pioneering 2017 Nature publication validating metastasis-initiating cells as therapeutic targets in metastatic cancer, combined with insights into lipid metabolism and cancer progression, such as the role of CD36 in fatty acid transport.[3][1]
Early traction came swiftly: following assembly of an experienced multinational leadership team, Ona secured one of Europe's largest Series A rounds that year and earned Fierce Biotech's Fierce 15 accolade in 2020, validating its scientific approach to metastatic cancer biologics.[3] Pivotal moments include establishing clinical research partnerships for target discovery from refractory patient samples and advancing internal programs like the undisclosed ADC for refractory breast cancer.[1]
Ona stands out in oncology biotech through its integrated approach pairing deep biology insights with precision ADC design:
Ona rides the explosive growth of ADC therapeutics, a trend transforming oncology by enabling targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads to tumors, with market forces like rising refractory cancer rates and ADCs' proven efficacy (e.g., in breast cancer) driving demand for novel targets.[2][1] Timing is ideal amid a post-2020 surge in ADC approvals and investments, where limitations in existing targets leave many patients underserved—Ona's focus on resistance biology and broadly expressed markers positions it to expand treatable populations.[2][3]
It influences the ecosystem by bridging academic research (IRB/ICREA) with industry via spin-out model and partnerships, fostering Barcelona's biotech hub while contributing to precision medicine through patient-derived insights and collaborations that integrate diagnostics with therapeutics.[1][2][7]
Ona is poised to advance its lead preclinical ADC, ONA-255, into clinical trials, leveraging partnerships for diagnostics and antibodies to de-risk development and target resistant solid tumors.[2][4][6] Key trends like ADC platform maturation, AI-driven target discovery, and demand for resistance-focused therapies will shape its path, potentially enabling first-in-class status and new patient segments.[1][2] Its influence may evolve from early innovator to pipeline leader, especially if IND filings succeed, amplifying impact on advanced cancer care as seen in its rapid post-founding momentum.[3] This builds on its core strength: turning refractory cancer's hidden biology into transformative treatments.[1]
Ona Therapeutics has raised $46.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Ona Therapeutics's investors include Alta Life Sciences, Ysios Capital, Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Kurma Partners, Sanofi Ventures.
Key people at Ona Therapeutics.
Ona Therapeutics has raised $46.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Venture Round in October 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2025 | $12.0M Venture Round | Alta Life Sciences, Ysios Capital | |
| Jun 1, 2020 | $34.0M Series A | Alta Life Sciences, Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Kurma Partners, Sanofi Ventures, Ysios Capital |
