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.
OUR TECHNOLOGY
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) combine the cell killing activity of a cytotoxic drug payload with the targeting ability of an antibody.
Unlike classic chemotherapy that does not discriminate between cancer and healthy cells, ADCs are targeted to kill cancer cells only. They have the potential to reshape cancer treatment.
However, most current ADCs in development are limited by a lack of flexibility, toxic side-effects and limitations in the range of cancer patients that can be treated.
Spirea has developed an exciting and flexible new approach to building ADCs that allows more drug payload to be specifically directed to the tumour cell. This results in an increase in therapeutic effect whilst substantially reducing debilitating side-effects.
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 cancers.
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 Head of Business Operations. 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
Head of Business Operations
SUPPORTED BY
Spirea is supported by a number of successful, high-profile
board members from the life sciences:
Jane Dancer, Chair, former Chief Business Officer at F-star,
Gaynor Fryers, former Vice-President of Business Development at AstraZeneca,
Christine Martin, Deputy Head of Seed Funds at Cambridge Enterprise.
Spirea is also supported by the Healthcare Accelerator Start Codon and the Cambridge Judge Business School Entrepreneurship Centre's Accelerator, Accelerate Cambridge.
Spirea has received grant funding from Innovate UK and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
NEWS
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.