HHighlight Therapeutics
Highlight Therapeutics (formerly Bioncotech Therapeutics) is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing intralesional RNA-based immunotherapies for dermato-oncology. Its lead candidate BO-112, derived from CNIO melanoma research, turns immunologically 'cold' tumours 'hot' and is in a Phase 2b trial (SPOTLIGHT-204) in basal cell carcinoma, plus combination studies with anti-PD1 in melanoma. It is headquartered in the Valencia Science Park (Paterna, Valencia), and in September 2025 it raised €15M in a round led by Buenavista.
SectorsBiotech, Immuno-oncology, Pharmaceuticals, RNA therapeutics, Dermato-oncology
Start-up MapHealthtech & Bio › Drug discovery & therapeutics developers
Founders
D
Damià Tormo
Co-founder and Board Member (founding CEO of Bioncotech Therapeutics)
Also at Columbus Venture Partners
+1
M
María S. Soengas
Scientific Co-founder (Head of Melanoma Group, CNIO)
Global models 3
O
Oncorus
United States
Clinical-stage biotech that raised VC to develop intratumorally injected immunotherapies meant to turn cold tumours hot, the same asset-driven model as Highlight.
$137MComparable
C
Checkmate Pharmaceuticals
United States
VC-backed clinical-stage company that developed an intratumoral nucleic-acid innate-immune agonist (TLR9, CMP-001) combined with anti-PD-1 in melanoma, mirroring BO-112's approach.
$125MComparable
RReplimune
United States · www.replimune.com ↗
Raised venture capital before its IPO to develop intralesional immunotherapy (RP1) for skin cancers, including combinations with anti-PD-1 in melanoma, which is Highlight's dermato-oncology strategy.
$110MComparable
In the same niche 67 others
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Notes: Most funded first
Investors 5
Open as list →
Funding rounds 3
| Date | Round | Amount | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-16 | Series B (estimated) | €15M |
Buenavista Equity Partners
+1 more
|
| 2021-02-03 | Series A (estimated) | €22.6M |
Columbus Venture Partners, Advent Life Sciences
+1 more
|
| 2019-05 | Series A (estimated) | €9M | Lead not disclosed |
News 1
Open as list →| Published | Article |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-16 |
Buenavista leads a €15 million funding round in Highlight Therapeutics ↗
Capital-Riesgo.es
2025-09-16 |