About us
Quimatryx is a clinical-stage biotech company within the Oncomatryx Group, advancing next-generation epigenetic therapies.
Our team brings deep expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug development, with a core focus on selective HDAC6 inhibition.
We are committed to redefining the treatment landscape for inflammatory, oncological, and neurodegenerative diseases through precision epigenetic modulation.
Our aspiration: to become a global leader in selective epigenetic innovation.
Our mission: To discover and develop novel HDAC6-targeted therapies that address high-unmet medical need.
Our vision: To transform cutting-edge epigenetic science into life-changing treatments for patients around the world.
WE ARE QUIMATRYX
Get to know us better
At the heart of Quimatryx is a dynamic, multidisciplinary team united by a single purpose: transforming the future of medicine through epigenetic innovation.
We foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and proactive passion-driving forward with shared ambition alongside everyone who joins us on this journey.
Team
Pedro Esnaola
CPAO
Graduated in Economics from the University of the Basque Country and Executive MBA from the University of Deusto.
He has built a solid professional career in Management, Communication, and Marketing, working in multinational companies such as Lintas Worldwide and Ruiz Nicoli Euro RSCG. For two decades, he served as CEO at the advertising agency Publis NCM.
He is currently President of Quimatryx and Board Member of Oncomatryx.
Additionally, he serves on the boards of several companies and is an active investor in startups.
Laureano Simón
CEO
Founder of Oncomatryx, Quimatryx and other biotech companies. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid, a Master in Biotechnology from the University of Navarra,
a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela. Currently, he serves on various scientific advisory committees of government institutions and private foundations, he has published numerous articles in high-impact scientific journals and he has received several awards throughout his career:
→ European Entrepreneur Eurowards Award 2004
→ Ernst & Young Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year 2010
→ Ruban d’Honneur from the European Business Awards – HSBC Bank 2011.
Manuel Sanz
COO
Founder of Oncomatryx and Quimatryx. He started his professional career as a Commodity Buyer at Hewlett Packard in Barcelona in 1991,
with a distinguished career in several multinational companies and startups. At Electrolux and Grupo Ormazabal, as well as Connekto The Original Parts, he held key roles in Purchasing, Logistics, and Planning. His experience is global, having worked in Spain, China, and Italy, where he led international business transfer projects and directed international teams and projects in purchasing and logistics. Additionally, he was responsible for creating, launching, and managing the purchasing and logistics operations in a new company, showcasing his ability to establish and develop new areas within growing organizations. This type of leadership and international experience aligns well with the demands of a biotech company like Oncomatryx, focused on developing innovative solutions in oncology.
He holds a degree in Physics from the University of Santiago de Compostela and an MBA from ESADE.
David A. Raksin
VP Business Development
Dave Raksin has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences, biotech, and healthcare industries, in investment banking/equity research
(including PrudentialVector Healthcare Group, Deutsche Bank, and Inverness Advisors, a division of KEMA), and business development (including, prior to Oncomatryx, diaDexus and CFD Therapeutics). Dave currently resides in San Francisco, CA, and holds a B.A. from Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences.
Ignacio García
CMO
Ignacio has 20 years of experience in the early development of oncology drugs, especially in the transition from preclinical to clinical stages.
He has overseen numerous programs at major pharmaceutical companies: Eli Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda, always as part of the central Oncology departments. He has extensive experience in clinical trials in Europe, the United States, and Japan. He has also acted as a senior consultant for multiple biotech companies in Europe, Japan, and the USA. He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Madrid. He specialized in Medical Oncology at the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid and completed his doctoral thesis in cancer gene therapy at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in the United Kingdom.
Eneko Aldaba
R&D Director
Founding partner of Quimatryx and Ikerchem.
He has 22 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, where he has participated in and led more than 10 projects in the field of development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer and neurological disorders. He is the author of more than 16 patents and publications. Eneko holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of the Basque Country.
Yosu Vara
Chemistry and Manufacturing Director
Founding partner of Quimatryx and Ikerchem.
He has 20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, where he has managed drug discovery projects. He has more than 20 patents and publications in organic chemistry and holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of the Basque Country.
Our history
Quimatryx was founded in 2015, by chemists Dr. Yosu Vara and Dr. Eneko Aldaba, together with Dr. Laureano Simón, the founder of Oncomatryx. The company emerged within the Oncomatryx Group as the successor to Ikerchem—a spin-off from the University of the Basque Country—carrying forward its scientific expertise and proprietary assets.
Built on the successful scientific and business model pioneered at Oncomatryx, Quimatryx combines cutting-edge research with a strong translational focus. Following this approach, the company selected QTX125, a selective HDAC6 inhibitor, for preclinical development to target solid tumors—including pancreatic cancer—and hematologic malignancies, such as mantle cell lymphoma.
2018
In 2018, in collaboration with the Kaertor Foundation (Galicia, Spain) Quimatryx began the development of QTX153, a novel oral HDAC6 inhibitor capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Extensive preclinical studies demonstrated QTX153’s therapeutic potential in animal models of obesity and neurological disorders.
2022
In 2022, Quimatryx licensed QTX125 to HiDiamond, a Chinese company, for development in Southeast Asia. Under the agreement, HiDiamond is responsible for the preclinical development, IND submission, and clinical trials in China for both solid tumors and hematologic indications.
2023
In 2023, HiDiamond received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to start Phase I clinical trials of QTX125 in China.
TODAY
Today, Quimatryx continues to build a robust pipeline of precision epigenetic therapies. The company is committed to addressing critical unmet medical needs through scientific rigor, innovation, and global collaboration.
Mission and vision
We move forward through fundamental principles in every step we take
Mission
To develop next-generation, selective HDAC6 inhibitors to address urgent unmet medical needs within the inflammatory, oncological, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases through precision epigenetic modulation.
Vision
To transform epigenetic science into breakthrough therapies that will redefine the standard of care and improve the lives of patients worldwide.
Our values
We are driven by a set of core values that inspire every idea, action and decision we make:
Pioneering
We embrace boldness to explore new paths in epigenetic research, break barriers, and lead at the forefront of science and medicine.
Leadership
We are committed to driving progress in selective epigenetic modulation, with a focus on HDAC6-targeted therapies.
Passion
Our passion for advancing science and improving patients’ lives fuels our every action.
Creativity
Creativity is the engine behind our research, empowering us to design novel insights and pursue original therapeutic approaches.
Teamwork
We believe in in the power of collaboration, both within our team and with our partners, to maximize our collective impact.