About us
A clinical-stage biotech company pioneering Tumor Quantum Immunotherapy.
Our team has been devoted to the development of precision drugs targeting the tumor microenvironment for over a decade.
We aim to change the paradigm in the treatment of some of the most aggressive metastatic solid tumors.
→ We aspire to be global leaders in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment.
Our mission: To develop novel precision drugs targeting Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment.
Our Vision: To turn immune-cold tumors into immune-hot tumors and cure Cancer.
WE ARE ONCOMATRYX
Get to know us better
At our core is a dynamic, multidisciplinary team united by one goal: to revolutionize cancer care. We embrace a proactive and passionate approach, fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork with all who join us on this journey.
Team
Laureano Simón
CEO
Founder of Oncomatryx and other biotech
companies. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous
University of Madrid, a Master in Biotechnology from the University of Navarra,
a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela. Currently, he serves on various scientific advisory committees of government institutions and private foundations, he has published numerous
articles in high-impact scientific journals and he has received several awards throughout his career:
→ European Entrepreneur Eurowards Award 2004
→ Ernst & Young Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year 2010
→ Ruban d’Honneur from the European Business Awards – HSBC Bank 2011.
Manuel Sanz
COO
Founder of Oncomatryx. He started his professional career as a Commodity Buyer at Hewlett Packard in Barcelona in 1991,
with a distinguished career in several multinational companies and startups. At Electrolux and Grupo Ormazabal, as well as Connekto The Original Parts, he held key roles in Purchasing, Logistics, and Planning. His experience is global, having worked in Spain, China, and Italy, where he led international business transfer projects and directed international teams and projects in purchasing and logistics. Additionally, he was responsible for creating, launching, and managing the purchasing and logistics operations in a new company, showcasing his ability to establish and develop new areas within growing organizations. This type of leadership and international experience aligns well with the demands of a biotech company like Oncomatryx, focused on developing innovative solutions in oncology.
He holds a degree in Physics from the University of Santiago de Compostela and an MBA from ESADE.
Pedro Esnaola
CPAO
Graduated in Economics from the University of the Basque Country and Executive MBA from the University of Deusto.
He has developed a solid professional career in Management, Communication, and Marketing, working in multinational companies such as Lintas Worldwide and Ruiz Nicoli Euro RSCG. For two decades, he served as CEO at the Advertising Agency Publis NCM. He is the President of Quimatryx, a company within the Oncomatryx Group. Additionally, he serves as a Board Member in various companies and is an investor in startups.
David A. Raksin
VP Business Development
Dave Raksin has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences, biotech, and healthcare industries, in investment banking/equity research
(including PrudentialVector Healthcare Group, Deutsche Bank, and Inverness Advisors, a division of KEMA), and business development (including, prior to Oncomatryx, diaDexus and CFD Therapeutics). Dave currently resides in San Francisco, CA, and holds a B.A. from Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences.
Myriam Fabre
CSO
Myriam has been a founding partner, Executive Vice-President, and R&D Manager at Advancell, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of anti-tumor drugs.
She was awarded the Postdoctoral Fellowship from Rockefeller University, NYC. She also holds a degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Biology from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and a Master’s in Business from EADA.
Ignacio García
CMO
Ignacio has 20 years of experience in the early development of oncology drugs, especially in the transition from preclinical to clinical stages.
He has overseen numerous programs at major pharmaceutical companies: Eli Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda, always as part of the central Oncology departments. He has extensive experience in clinical trials in Europe, the United States, and Japan. He has also acted as a senior consultant for multiple biotech companies in Europe, Japan, and the USA. He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Madrid. He specialized in Medical Oncology at the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid and completed his doctoral thesis in cancer gene therapy at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in the United Kingdom.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Manuel Hidalgo, MD, PhD. Chief of the Divison of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center. New York, USA.
Roland E. Kontermann, PhD. Professor. Deputy Head of the Institute (Biomedical Engineering unit). Institut für Zellbiologie und Immunologie. Universität Stuttgart. Stuttgart, Germany.
Klaus Pfizenmaier, PhD. Professor,. Institut für Zellbiologie und Immunologie. Universität Stuttgart. Stuttgart, Germany.
Franco Dosio, PhD. Emeritus Professor. Department of Drug Science and Technology. Università degli Studi di Torino. Torino, Italy.
Discover our history
Words that have defined our journey to revolutionize oncology through innovation in the tumor microenvironment.
Fueled by passion to prolong and improve the quality of life of cancer patients, we have played TRIPLE INNOVATION: Targeting Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment, with Antibody Drug Conjugates, bearing a novel Payload.
The dedication of our founders has become the driving force behind our multidisciplinary team, pushing us through the war on cancer.
We firmly believe in the power of science to change the world. Together, we have worked tirelessly to deliver solutions once thought impossible.
Our journey is a commitment to life and science. Join us.
2000
Our founder, Dr. Laureano Simón, and his team, deeply involved in pancreatic cancer research, embarked on a quest for an alternative approach to fight this deadly disease.
Defying the unknown, they engaged in differential genomic analysis of pancreatic biopsies from patients with pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
THE TARGET WAS CLEAR: FIND A NEW WAY TO FIGHT PANCREATIC CANCER HOW? BY UNRAVELING THE SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN GENE EXPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER AND NON-MALIGNANT INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES.
And a STARTLING REVELATION showed up: The main differences were not in the tumor epithelial cells, but in the surrounding microenvironment cells, particularly the cancer-associated fibroblasts, which created a complex microenvironment around them.
It was at that moment when Dr. Laureano Simón, along with his research team, established a groundbreaking theory that has been the guiding force behind Oncomatryx: The role of fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment as a crucial factor in tumor invasion, drug resistance and immunosuppression.
THE START OF ONCOMATRYX
After this discovery, our name emerged: Oncomatryx. The fusion of oncology and extracellular matrix, with “Y” symbolizing the structure of an antibodY, the cornerstone of Oncomatryx therapeutic arsenal.
2010
ONCOMATRYX BIOPHARMA SA was founded with the mission to revolutionize the treatment of metastatic solid tumors by targeting the tumor microenvironment and improve patients’ lives. We achieve this alongside conventional chemotherapy and/or modern immunotherapy.
While our strategy wasn’t initially embraced by the medical-scientific community, the unwavering dedication and passion of our scientists have made us true pioneers in the field.
TODAY
After all of these years full of research and passion, at Oncomatryx we have established the critical role that Cancer Associated Fibroblasts play in tumor progression. This new perspective has led to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating the tumor microenvironment to combat the most aggressive and still incurable tumors.
This entire journey has set us as true pioneers and leaders in the field of Oncology. Besides our groundbreaking approach to the tumor microenvironment, our uniqueness also lies in the innovation of our pioneering Antibody Drug Conjugates platform and our exceptional ability to manage risk.
Mission and vision
We move forward through fundamental principles in every step we take
Mission
Our mission is to revolutionize Oncology, through targeted intervention in the tumor microenvironment with next-generation drugs.
Vision
In our constant pursuit of patient improvement, Oncomatryx vision is to turn immune-cold into immune-hot tumors, prolong and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from metastatic solid tumors and cure cancer.
Our values
We are driven by a set of core values that inspire every idea, action and decision we make:
Pioneering
We embrace boldness to explore new paths in research, break barriers and lead the way at the forefront of science and medicine.
Leadership
We take pride in leading the charge towards innovation in the Tumor Microenvironment field.
Passion
Our passion for improving patients’ lives fuels our every action.
Creativity
Creativity is the engine behind our research and the development of new treatments, enabling us to gain novel insights and pursue original approaches. WE LOVE TRIPLE INNOVATION.
Teamwork
We believe in active collaboration, both within our team and with external partners. TOGETHER we are STRONGER.