APTATARGETS
Development of a first-in-class neuroprotective drug for acute ischemic stroke, with a global license to Merck signed in 2024.
- Platform
- Life Sciences
- Status
- In portfolio
- Investment
- 2017
- Sector
- Biotechnology — Neurology
AptaTargets is a Spanish biotechnology company dedicated to developing aptamer-based therapies. Its lead asset, AptTOLL, is a first-in-class neuroprotective drug acting as a highly specific antagonist of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a validated target in acute neuroinflammatory pathologies.
Acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with therapeutic options currently limited to thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy within narrow time windows.
Investment thesis and involvement
Inveready invested in 2017, when ApTOLL was in preclinical development. The funding provided enabled the company to complete the enabling Phase I studies in healthy volunteers and a clinical proof-of-concept study in acute ischemic stroke patients, reducing mortality from 18% to 5% versus placebo.
Between 2017 and 2025, Inveready contributed a total of ~€2M across successive rounds, supporting the company from preclinical stage through completion of Phase 1b/2a and the sale of assets to Merck Healthcare KGaA.
Milestone timeline
Outcome / Current status
The agreement signed with Merck in October 2024 validates AptTOLL’s scientific and clinical profile and transfers to a global developer the resources needed to complete pivotal development.
AptaTargets retains exposure to the program’s upside through the milestone and royalty structure, and Inveready remains a reference shareholder.