Capital of Ysios, the Barcelona-based fund manager, has a long-standing track record in biotechnology investments. The firm co-led a strategic operation that positioned a Dutch partner as a major industry ally, helping to advance a project focused on a treatment for cognitive impairment linked to schizophrenia. The arrangement included a substantial commitment, with a 57 million euro investment and a capital injection from Ysios. The collaboration also involved Kinexis, a venture partly founded by the team, and to a lesser extent Sunstone Life Science Initiatives, shaping a cross-border alliance in the life sciences landscape.
As Ysios explains, schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide and, beyond its primary symptoms, can cause memory loss and difficulties with concentration, completing tasks, understanding instructions, recalling information, and solving problems. Based on Ysios’ assessments, seven in ten patients display such cognitive challenges, underscoring the absence of a dedicated treatment that directly targets these impairments.
In this context, Kinexis is exploring precision medicine to intervene in one of the core biological pathways involved. The aim is to influence a key enzyme, kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT-II), a molecule known to impact cognitive function and the broader manifestations of schizophrenia. The team notes that modulating this enzyme could help alleviate cognitive deficits in affected individuals and substantially improve daily living and overall quality of life.
Together with a Dutch partner, the fund facilitated the official incorporation of the company and assembled an expert management team with international experience. This collaboration marks a deliberate step toward translating scientific insights into clinical potential, backed by a governance structure designed to steer development and regulatory navigation.
One partner from the fund highlighted Kinexis’ potential to transform the schizophrenia treatment landscape by addressing cognitive impairments, a pervasive and often prohibitive medical need. The combination of strong scientific data and an experienced management team is viewed as a decisive factor in realizing the promise of a precision medicine approach. The partner emphasized pride in contributing to the company’s formation and the organization of a senior, globally oriented management cadre, signaling confidence in the path ahead.