The funding round was led by biotech investor Dr. Urs Spitz, alongside additional funding sources. This investment will enable the company to progress key scientific milestones, bringing its lead therapeutic programme closer to clinical development, while supporting the creation of new high-value jobs in the region.
Founded on collaborative research, Awen Oncology was established by Prof. Andrea Brancale previously of Cardiff University and the co-founders of the Bangor University North West Cancer Research Institute, Dr Ramsay McFarlane and Dr Jane Wakeman. The company is focused on developing innovative therapeutics with the potential to transform cancer treatment, with its lead programme targeting a rare form of bone cancer with significant unmet clinical need.
As part of the investment, Dr Spitz will join the company’s board, bringing extensive international experience in scaling biotechnology businesses and supporting companies through to clinical and commercial stages.
Awen Oncology is a key part of the growing life sciences community here at M-SParc, contributing to the strength of the wider innovation ecosystem and the development of high-value research and development activity.
Dr Ramsay McFarlane, CEO and co-founder of Awen Oncology
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, M-SParc’s Managing Director
The research underpinning Awen Oncology’s work has been supported by Cancer Research Wales, reflecting over a decade of investment in fundamental cancer research in Wales.
Dr Lee Campbell, Head of Research at Cancer Research Wales
tom@m-sparc.com
Tom used to work at the KFC in his hometown of Colwyn Bay before it mysteriously burned down. He then spent several years “on the lam” in East Germany, where he worked as an animator in Berlin. When the wall fell, Tom came home.
He enjoys climbing and hates ice-skating.
