Ysios Capital Launches €100M Biotech Creation Fund

Ysios Capital, a prominent Spanish venture capital firm with a deep specialization in life sciences, has initiated a significant new venture with the launch of its InceptionBio fund. This dedicated €100 million vehicle is strategically designed to accelerate the formation and early-stage development of biotechnology companies, particularly within Spain's vibrant scientific community. The fund's first closing has already secured commitments, notably including participation from the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI) through its SICC Innvierte program, underscoring a strong public-private partnership aimed at fostering innovation.

Spearheading the InceptionBio initiative are seasoned partners Joan Perelló, who will lead the fund, and Arturo Urrios. Perelló highlighted the immense potential within Spain's scientific talent pool, stating, "Spain possesses world-class science and a unique opportunity to translate that science into globally impactful BioTech companies. With InceptionBio, we aim to further strengthen our ability to engage at the earliest stages of innovation, working closely with the scientific ecosystem to build companies that can deliver meaningful solutions for patients." This focus on early-stage engagement is crucial in a sector where translating groundbreaking research into viable therapies often requires substantial initial capital and strategic guidance.

The InceptionBio fund's mandate centers on identifying, nurturing, and establishing new enterprises built around robust scientific foundations. A key aspect of its strategy involves actively pursuing technology transfer opportunities from universities and research institutions, as well as cultivating early-stage ventures. This approach positions Ysios Capital to collaborate intimately with academic researchers and scientific entrepreneurs, thereby expediting the journey from discovery to clinical application. The firm's established track record, managing over €400 million across its existing funds and advising the listed Telescope Biotech Fund, provides a strong foundation for this new endeavor.

The Spanish biotechnology sector has been experiencing considerable growth, driven by increasing R&D investment and a supportive regulatory environment. According to industry reports, the European biotech market is projected to expand significantly in the coming years, with Spain aiming to capture a larger share of this expansion. InceptionBio's focus on company creation aligns with this trend, addressing a critical need for capital and expertise at the inception phase of biotech ventures. The fund anticipates supporting the establishment of at least three new biotech companies within 2026, signaling an ambitious growth trajectory.

Ysios Capital's investment philosophy targets companies developing treatments for conditions with high unmet medical needs. Their previous successes include significant contributions to companies such as Tigenix (later acquired by Takeda for €450 million), Sanifit (acquired by Vifor Pharma for €375 million), and STAT-Diagnostica (acquired by Qiagen for €172 million). This extensive experience in navigating complex funding rounds, strategic exits, and market consolidation provides invaluable insight for the nascent companies that InceptionBio will support. The firm's portfolio also includes notable investments in Ona Therapeutics, SpliceBio, and Minoryx Therapeutics.

The launch of InceptionBio not only expands Ysios Capital's early-stage engagement capabilities but also aims to solidify Spain's position as a leading European hub for biotechnology innovation. By bridging science, entrepreneurship, and investment, the fund seeks to attract both domestic and international talent and capital, fostering a more robust and competitive R&D ecosystem across Europe, with a pronounced emphasis on Spanish innovation.