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 13.11.2024

Anna Portela (Xenopat): “We are a small company, and this allows us to be closer to the client and to be able to work on tailor-made projects”

Xenopat is a public-private company that was born as a spin-off of the Oncology Institute of Catalonia (ICO), the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge (HUB). Specialising in the development of new anti-tumour drugs and personalised cancer treatments, Xenopat has established itself as a benchmark in the sector, with a philosophy that puts the client at the centre of each project.

“Xenopat is a service-oriented company. We help companies and academic groups develop compounds in the field of oncology,” said Anna Portela, CEO and co-founder of the company. Its methodology is based on the extensive screening of anti-tumour compounds in pre-clinical mouse models. “We take the compounds they send us, test them in mice, and provide essential information on their efficacy and toxicity,” added Portela. This preliminary phase is key to making progress in the development of drugs that reach the clinical stage with greater guarantees.

One of the defining elements of Xenopat is its dual added value. Firstly, it has a bank of more than 500 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, making it one of the largest PDX biobanks in the world. This infrastructure enables Xenopat to offer high-quality, scientifically rigorous solutions to companies and research institutions seeking to advance the fight against cancer. Secondly, client proximity is a fundamental part of Xenopat’s DNA. “We are a relatively small company, and this allows us to be closer to the client. Each project is tailor-made according to their specific needs. The follow-up is constant, and we adapt to what each client requires,” Portela said.

Based at the Parc Científic de Barcelona, Xenopat collaborates with other companies located in this scientific environment, creating an ecosystem of research and innovation where synergy between organisations accelerates the processes of discovery and clinical application.