Oniria Therapeutics, with the support of CDTI Innovación and European funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (MRR), has developed ONR-001, an innovative preclinical drug aimed at delaying tumor recurrence and improving the quality of life for patients with various types of cancer.
Cancer remains one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. Despite significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, one of the most complex issues to solve is relapse. In some patients, after an initial positive response, a small group of tumor cells manages to survive hidden in the body. These persistent cells can remain dormant for months or even years, and reactivate over time, causing the disease to return. Therefore, understanding how these cells resist treatment and finding ways to eliminate them has become a key priority in biomedical research.
In this context, Oniria Therapeutics was founded as a biotechnology company focused on precision oncology. This spin-off, driven by the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), and the University of Barcelona, focuses its research on the persistent tumor cells responsible for relapses following conventional cancer treatments.
The company is led by Esther Riambau, co-founder and CEO. With nearly twenty years of experience translating scientific projects into clinical applications, Riambau explains the origin of Oniria Therapeutics: “The company was born from studying the vulnerabilities of persistent tumor cells and identifying new therapeutic targets—a fundamental challenge in oncology.”
Riambau joined the team in 2021 to provide a management profile that complemented the strong scientific background of the founders—Héctor García Palmer, Isabel Puig, Xavier Barril, and Carlos Galdeano—under the clinical supervision of Dr. Josep Tabernero. Since then, the team has focused on understanding the mechanisms that allow tumor cells to survive treatments and developing therapies capable of eliminating or controlling them.
“Oniria Therapeutics focuses on precision oncology, with particular attention to tumor persistence and recurrence,” emphasizes Riambau.
The company combines a solid scientific foundation with chemical and clinical innovation, enabling it to transform laboratory discoveries into projects with real therapeutic potential. One of its most notable projects is ONR-001, its lead drug candidate, currently in preclinical development with support from public and private entities, including CDTI Innovación.
ONR-001 proposes a different approach to cancer treatment. Unlike most therapies, which aim to block altered functions within tumor cells, ONR-001 works by activating the TET2 enzyme, an essential epigenetic regulator that slows tumor growth.
“Instead of inhibiting what is failing, we strengthen what protects: we activate TET2, which acts like an ‘epigenetic orchestra conductor,’” explains Riambau. This activation leaves a mark on the tumor cells’ DNA, forcing them to change their behavior. Unable to adapt, the persistent cells ultimately die.
The development of ONR-001 has been supported by Neotec, a CDTI Innovación initiative co-financed by the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (MRR), which has allowed the company to strengthen its preclinical program, generate valuable experimental results, and lay the groundwork for advancing to clinical trials.
“CDTI’s support has been decisive for our consolidation as an emerging biotechnology company,” says Riambau.
Additionally, the company collaborates with institutions such as the “La Caixa” Foundation and the Carlos III Health Institute, reinforcing its capacity to transform academic discoveries into pharmacological candidates with clinical potential.
Thanks to this support, Oniria Therapeutics is in the process of filing new patents before the end of the year and has established relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, paving the way for the next stages of development.
Preclinical studies of ONR-001 have shown highly promising results. Initial trials were conducted in patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids, in collaboration with VHIO. However, the drug’s development is not limited to this type of tumor. According to the CEO:
“ONR-001 is also being evaluated in other indications, including melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia, demonstrating its potential beyond a single cancer type and reflecting the versatility of this therapeutic approach.”
Looking ahead, Oniria Therapeutics aims to consolidate its progress by completing regulatory preclinical development and preparing for its first Series A investment round.
“In 2026, we plan to complete the preclinical stage and secure the necessary funding for the first clinical trial,” Riambau details.
The company also plans to start patient studies in 2027, explore collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, and expand its programs to other tumor types.
Beyond scientific advances, Oniria Therapeutics’ ultimate goal is to improve patients’ lives.
“ONR-001 represents a new therapeutic option for patients at risk of relapse or with advanced disease, an area where treatment options are still limited,” explains the co-founder. “Our approach targets the root of tumor persistence and offers real hope to those who currently have few alternatives.”
With a top-level scientific team and public innovation support, the company is establishing itself as one of Spain’s most promising biotechs in epigenetic oncology. Its approach—aiming to “reprogram and eliminate” tumor cells to prevent cancer recurrence—could fundamentally change the way relapses are treated, directly benefiting both patients and the healthcare system.
“Our goal is to accelerate the development of this innovation so it reaches patients as soon as possible. Thanks to CDTI’s support and the trust of our partners, we are one step closer to achieving this,” concludes Riambau.
The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) is the innovation agency of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, dedicated to promoting technological innovation in the business sector. Its mission is to ensure that Spanish companies generate and transform scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. In 2024, under a new strategic plan, CDTI provided more than €2.3 billion in support to Spanish companies and startups.
Image: Founding team of Oniria Therapeutics, a company dedicated to precision oncology
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