Japanese investor group Newsight Tech Angels (NTA) has announced its decision to invest in Catalan biotech company Aptadel Therapeutics. Founded in 2020, the company is developing aptamer-based therapies for childhood and rare cancers. Aptamers are short DNA or RNA sequences that act as chemical antibodies. The aim is to help the company’s innovative therapeutic technology reach a broader patient population by identifying potential partners in Japan and across Asia.

NTA, which invests in life sciences startups, primarily in the United States, decided to make its first investment in Spain after learning about Aptadel at a local conference. Before announcing its investment, NTA confirmed that the technology is not only applicable to Ewing sarcoma, but also to other rare cancers. Its commitment means providing ongoing support to the Spanish company as it progresses towards its Series A funding round and the launch of clinical trials.

Selective delivery of therapeutic molecules
Aptadel Therapeutics’ innovative platform uses aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDC) to target diseases such as Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting the bones and soft tissues of children and young adults. As an alternative to the standard treatment, which is based on a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and causes significant long-term side effects, the proposed approach involves using an RNA-aptamer targeting EphA2 - a protein highly expressed in tumour cells - as a vehicle to selectively deliver therapeutic molecules into those cells.

Among the key benefits of this therapy are the aptamer’s intrinsic ability to inhibit metastasis, its high tumour tissue penetration and a modular design that allows the therapeutic payload to be exchanged. Its lead candidate, ADEL-101, targets the EWSR1:FLI1 fusion gene, which is responsible for the development of Ewing sarcoma and was previously thought to be undruggable, and it has achieved promising results in both cell-based assays and animal models.

Record-breaking Spanish biotech company investment
The Japanese company highlights the growth phase of Spain’s life sciences sector, citing the June 2026 report by the Spanish Bioindustry Association (AseBio), which states that Spanish biotechnology companies raised €408 million in 2025, 125% more than the previous year and an all-time high. Of that total, €302 million came from 12 deals involving foreign investors, demonstrating that Spanish biotech companies are increasingly recognised internationally as attractive investment targets.

Newsight Tech Angels CEO Toru Seo explained, “I believe the future of biotechnology is built on cross-border collaboration. While our investments to date have focused primarily on US startups, Spain boasts world-class research infrastructure and a robust ecosystem capable of commercialising that research.”

^{Photo: Newsight Tech Angels}