Focus on Innovation: SPIMA Therapeutics wins the i-Lab 2025 competition with Innovative immunotherapy against inflammation and cancer

SPIMA Therapeutics, a biotech start-up born from a collaboration between the Max Mousseron Institute of Biomolecules (IBMM, CNRS/UM/ENSCM), the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB, Inserm/UM), Landmark BioVentures AG and Mohamed Haitham Ayad, has reached a major milestone by winning the prestigious national i-Lab 2025 competition, supported by the France 2030 Plan. This award recognizes a disruptive approach in immunotherapy: stapled peptides, resulting from rational design and peptide engineering, capable of targeting intracellular protein/protein interactions previously considered “undruggable.” At the heart of SPIMA’s innovation is the myddosome, a key protein complex in immune signaling, involved in severe inflammatory diseases and certain cancers. Their flagship molecule, SPM001, acts as a selective inhibitor of myddosome assembly, offering an alternative to conventional immunotherapies, which are often associated with significant side effects. Winning the i-Lab competition will allow SPIMA Therapeutics to accelerate the development of SPM001 and advance toward early clinical phases, strengthening its position among emerging players in the French biotechnology sector.

A Public-Private Synergy Driving Innovation

SPIMA Therapeutics exemplifies the complementarity between academic research and industrial expertise. IBMM contributes its expertise in peptide chemistry and therapeutic molecule design, while IRMB brings its knowledge in immunology and inflammatory diseases. Landmark BioVentures AG (Switzerland) supports the project in clinical development strategy and fundraising.