Batea Oncology selected in the IMPACTO program from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, AECC

Batea Oncology  is a biotech company at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for the treatment of aggressive cancers with low survival rates. The company builds upon research from the Translational Oncology Laboratory at the Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, led by Drs. Rafael López and Miguel Abal. Batea Oncology’s mission is to translate these research findings into clinical practice, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and increasing patient survival. This vision aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the IMPACTO program, which seeks to enhance the value of biomedical research by promoting the growth of Spanish SMEs with strong technological and innovative foundations. These companies, often rooted in academic environments, are focused on developing novel cancer therapies with the ultimate goal of bringing cutting-edge research closer to patients.

Batea Oncology’s flagship asset is GlioHook, a Class III medical device designed to treat glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma patients face a median survival time of just 15 months post-diagnosis, with little progress made over the past two decades. GlioHook is implanted into the resection cavity following standard surgery and operates via a dual mechanism: (i) it concentrates residual tumor cells, the primary cause of relapse, thereby transforming the disease from an infiltrative to a more focalized condition; and (ii) it sensitizes tumor cells to radiotherapy. Compelling in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrates that, when combined with radiotherapy—currently the standard of care for glioblastoma—GlioHook significantly improves survival outcomes.

With the invaluable support of the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, the Batea Oncology team, led by CSO Dr. Jorge Barbazán and CEO Dr. Sonia Martínez Arca, is poised to advance the development of GlioHook. The IMPACTO funds will enable the team to complete the necessary regulatory preclinical tests, paving the way for a Phase I clinical trial.