Gate2Brain, a Barcelona biotech led by CEO Meritxell Teixidó, develops short peptides that carry drugs across the blood-brain barrier, which the company says stops about 98% of drug candidates. Its lead product, G2B-002, targets paediatric brain tumours with an intact barrier, such as diffuse midline glioma. Its EIC application described "a set of small peptide-shuttles that have the capacity to cross the BBB and carry to the CNS therapeutic cargoes that cannot reach the brain unaided", according to CORDIS.
The European Innovation Council granted €2,470,759 towards a €3.53 million project from April 2023 to December 2025. The only published report, for the first year, set the objective "to initiate clinical trials in paediatric brain tumours with an intact BBB ... by 2026", and described securing a raw material supplier, completing maximum tolerated dose and repeated-dose toxicity studies in animals, starting full toxicology studies and preparing an orphan drug application. In 2026 Gate2Brain announced that Shilpa Biocare, part of India's Shilpa Medicare, had invested €7 million for a 30.4% stake, and that G2B-002 has orphan drug designation from both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.
Company file
- Legal entity
- Gate2Brain S.L., Barcelona
- CEO
- Meritxell Teixidó
- Technology
- MiniAp4 and other peptide shuttles, three patent families
- Lead candidate
- G2B-002, paediatric high-grade gliomas
- Regulatory
- Orphan drug designation, FDA and EMA
- Strategic shareholder
- Shilpa Biocare (Shilpa Medicare), 30.4%
- EIC project
- 1 Apr 2023 to 31 Dec 2025, closed
- EIC funding
- Grant first
Where Gate2Brain Stands Now
Gate2Brain calls the Shilpa deal "the largest investment raised by the company to date". The partnership combines Gate2Brain's technology with Shilpa's manufacturing and regulatory expertise and is meant to move G2B-002 "from preclinical development toward clinical application". In July 2026 the company marked its sixth anniversary, saying G2B-002 "has continued to advance towards its next stage of development", according to its website. No trial start has been announced.
"This collaboration marks an important step in advancing G2B-002 from preclinical development toward clinical application."
Gate2Brain, announcement of the Shilpa Biocare partnership, 2026The Technology: Molecular Tow Trucks
The blood-brain barrier protects the brain but blocks most medicines. Gate2Brain's peptides bind receptors on the barrier and pull attached drugs through, and the company says they resist breakdown, carry many kinds of cargo, are cheap to make and provoke little immune reaction. G2B-002 uses the MiniAp4 shuttle. Preclinical studies showed better brain delivery and fewer side effects, Gate2Brain says.
What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows
The project aimed to complete regulatory preclinical studies and the investigational medicinal product dossier needed to start a Phase I/IIa trial. The first-year report shows early toxicology and manufacturing work. No report covers the last 21 months, so whether the full toxicology package and the trial dossier were finished cannot be checked. Orphan designations were secured. CORDIS lists the project as closed.
- Manufacturing supplyDeliveredSupplier secured.
- Orphan drug statusDeliveredFDA and EMA.
- Full toxicology and IMPDUnverifiedNo final report.
- Clinical trial by 2026Not startedNone announced.
The Money
The €7 million for 30.4% implies a post-money valuation of about €23 million. Gate2Brain says it has been backed by business angels and institutional partners. Its revenue, losses and how it will fund a paediatric trial are not public.
What Cannot Be Checked
Questions for the EIC
Why no final report is published, whether the investigational dossier was completed, when the first child will be treated, and what control Shilpa gains over the programme are not public.
Why Europe Should Care
Brain tumours such as diffuse midline glioma have no cure, and getting drugs past the blood-brain barrier is a problem for many brain diseases. The EIC funded a Spanish platform that could address it. The next stage is now being financed by an Indian drugmaker taking almost a third of the company.
What the project promised
Completed regulatory preclinical work and a trial dossier, with a paediatric Phase I/IIa starting by 2026.
What the record shows
Early toxicology, orphan designations and a €7 million Indian investment, with no trial started.
The Verdict
Preclinical progress, trial pending
Gate2Brain moved closer to the clinic with EIC money and secured a strategic investor. The paediatric trial it planned for 2026 has yet to begin.
Gate2Brain and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.
