iDEL Therapeutics, a newly launched German biotech company, has raised €9 million in seed financing to advance a novel oncology platform that delivers therapeutics directly into the cytosol of tumor cells.
The funding round was led by BiomedVC, with participation from NRW.Venture, Gründerfonds Ruhr, and the KHAN Technology Transfer Fund II. The capital will be used to establish the company’s operations and leadership team while advancing its two lead programs toward clinical evaluation.
Founded in Dortmund, iDEL Therapeutics is developing a new class of cancer treatments based on direct cytosolic transfer technology. The company’s platform is designed to bypass a key limitation in drug delivery—endosomal trapping—which can cause therapeutics to degrade before they reach their intracellular targets. By enabling direct delivery into the cytosol, the approach aims to unlock previously “undruggable” intracellular targets and improve therapeutic effectiveness.
The platform is compatible with both small and large molecules, including antibodies and nanobodies, and is intended to expand treatment possibilities across a wide range of solid tumors. The company’s proprietary shuttle technology is designed to enhance intracellular drug exposure and prolong tumor retention, potentially improving both efficacy and durability of response.
iDEL Therapeutics plans to use the funding to generate preclinical proof-of-concept data and advance its lead candidates toward clinical trials. The company is also exploring broader applications of its platform across multiple cancer indications.
Alongside the financing, iDEL Therapeutics has assembled a leadership team with experience spanning biopharma, drug development, and company building, positioning the company to scale its research and development efforts.
KEY QUOTES
“iDEL Therapeutics’ concept to unlock new cancer treatments represents an exciting new opportunity with the potential to significantly impact the oncology landscape. Our technology’s broad applicability to a range of drug classes harbors the potential to improve treatment outcomes for patients living with a range of high-need cancer indications. Together with the leadership team, I look forward to expanding our preclinical proof-of-concept data, advancing our lead candidates toward the clinic and exploring additional possibilities for improved cancer treatments.”
Marcus Kostka, PhD, Co-Founder And CEO Of iDEL Therapeutics
“Despite continuous advancements and a deeper understanding of cancer in our industry, current treatment options still face challenges related to on-target specificity and achieving a durable anti-tumor effect. We believe that iDEL Therapeutics’ differentiated strategy has the potential to address these limitations by improving intracellular delivery, increasing target engagement and prolonging tumor retention. With an exceptional leadership team and a cutting-edge technology, the company is well positioned to advance this new therapeutic approach to deliver meaningful clinical benefit for cancer patients, and we fully support the team on this journey.”
Aristotelis Nastos, PhD, Managing Partner And Investment Director At BiomedVC
