Understanding the investment opportunity
Telara Pharma is a biotech company specialising in the development of innovative therapies for neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases. Its lead asset is a cilastatin eye drop for the treatment of glaucoma, a disease affecting more than 180 million people worldwide and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness.
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by the death and loss of retinal ganglion cells and the progressive deterioration of the optic nerve, which translates into a progressive loss of vision.

Telara's proposal addresses an unmet medical need: the absence of treatments capable of directly protecting the retina and the optic nerve. While current therapies focus exclusively on lowering intraocular pressure, cilastatin acts through a neuroprotective mechanism designed to preserve retinal ganglion cells and slow the progression of the disease. This new mechanism of action was identified by the researchers who make up Telara's founding team after more than two decades of research in this field. The technology is based on a molecule with more than 30 years of clinical experience in humans, which significantly reduces development risk.

The programme has demonstrated solid neuroprotective efficacy in reference preclinical models of glaucoma and is supported by pharmacokinetic and ocular biodistribution studies confirming that, following topical administration of the eye drop, the drug reaches therapeutically relevant concentrations in the retina and the optic nerve, the main structures affected by the disease. The programme is also at an advanced stage of regulatory development ahead of the start of clinical trials in patients.
Telara protects its technology through an international patent granting exclusivity until 2043 and continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio with new applications relating to ophthalmic formulations and dosing regimens. The company has secured more than €1.6 million in public and private funding, including competitive grants such as NEOTEC and CPP, and is pursuing a business model based on licensing the technology to leading ophthalmology pharmaceutical companies following clinical validation.

With a global glaucoma market estimated at USD 8.8 billion in 2030, a clear international licensing strategy and potential partners identified among the world's leading ophthalmology companies, Telara Pharma aims to become a leader in neuroprotection for glaucoma and to generate a licensing or acquisition deal once the clinical efficacy of its technology has been demonstrated.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE INVESTMENT
The company declares that it meets the requirements to qualify for the state tax deduction for investment in newly or recently created companies. Startupxplore verifies the requirements applicable to the company under the common state regime. Whether the deduction actually applies will also depend on each investor's individual circumstances. We do not verify regional (autonomous community) deductions or foral tax regimes.
INVESTMENT STAGE
MARKET
- pharmaceuticals
- biotech
- baldiri-reixac-4
- (+4)
OFFICIAL WEBPAGE
Fiscal benefits
Telara Pharma Team
CEO
Teresa Tarragó
CEO
CFO
Alexandre Ferré
CFO
CMO
Alfonso Antón
CMO
CSO y Cofounder
Alberto Lázaro
CSO y Cofounder
Chemostart
ACCELERATOR
EIT Health
ACCELERATOR
Reasons to invest View more data
Disruptive and differentiated technology
- We are developing the first neuroprotective therapy for glaucoma designed to halt retinal neurodegeneration, addressing the underlying cause of the disease and not only intraocular pressure. Because glaucoma is not caused solely by intraocular pressure, but also by neurodegenerative processes that continue to damage the retina even when pressure is under control. There is currently no approved therapy with this approach.
- Cilastatin is a molecule with more than 30 years of clinical use in humans, which significantly reduces the development risk compared with new chemical entities.
Solid scientific validation
- Robust preclinical proof of concept in the reference model for glaucoma, with results published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal in 2024.
- Results demonstrating neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells independently of the reduction of intraocular pressure.
Strong intellectual property
- International patent protecting the technology until 2043, with new applications in preparation to extend commercial exclusivity even further.
Major market opportunity
- Global glaucoma market estimated at USD 11.5 billion in 2030, with annual growth of 4.6%.
- More than 185 million people affected by glaucoma and an absence of treatments capable of halting the progression of the disease.
Upcoming high-value milestones
- Less than 12 months to reach First-in-Human and advance toward clinical proof of concept in patients.
- Program at an advanced stage of development with the ophthalmic formulation, pharmacokinetic studies, CMC activities and regulatory studies already completed or underway.
Validated business model and return potential
- Strategy based on licensing to large ophthalmology pharmaceutical companies after demonstrating clinical efficacy.
- Model already validated through a previous international license with Arch Biopartners for another cilastatin-based indication. This agreement allowed Telara to transfer the development and commercialization rights to a specialized partner, while retaining economic rights associated with milestones and royalties.
- Exit target around 2030, with comparable transactions in ophthalmology supporting valuations above €150M.
- Licensing and acquisition precedents in ophthalmology: the acquisition of Aerie Pharmaceuticals by Alcon in 2022 closed at approximately USD 770 million, while the regional license of Rhopressa/Rocklatan between Santen and Aerie reached USD 165 million in 2021. Analyzing a broader set of comparable transactions in ophthalmology and retina, Telara estimates an average transaction value of approximately USD 338 million, rising to USD 467.5 million for assets specifically targeting glaucoma.
Team and recognition
- Founding team with extensive experience in drug development, ophthalmology and the creation of biotechnology companies.
- Recent awards: Best Project Keiretsu Forum 2025, ENISA Empresa Emergente certification, Top 5 Innovator's Pitch Challenge (RESI Europe) and Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2025.
In summary: Telara Pharma combines innovative technology with solid scientific validation, intellectual property protected until 2043, a multi-billion market, a defined regulatory pathway and a clear exit strategy, offering a unique opportunity to invest in a potential future leader in ophthalmic neuroprotection.
Who is the reference investor?
ESADE BAN
INVESTOR
About ESADE BAN
ESADEBAN es una de las principales redes de business angels de España, promovida por ESADE Alumni, que actúa como punto de encuentro entre startups innovadoras e inversores privados. A nivel inversor, reúne a más de 250 inversores, incluyendo business angels, family offices, fondos de venture capital y grupos de inversión. La red ha canalizado más de 48 millones de euros en financiación hacia más de 317 startups y organiza alrededor de 20 foros de inversión al año, con más de 500 proyectos analizados anualmente. La inversión media por proyecto es de aproximadamente 130.000 €, aunque frecuentemente promueve operaciones de coinversión entre varios inversores. Por qué es relevante para Telara Pharma: ESADEBAN tiene una fuerte actividad en el sector healthcare y cuenta con foros especializados para proyectos biotecnológicos y de salud, siendo una plataforma reconocida para captar inversores privados cualificados y generar visibilidad frente a potenciales coinversores y fondos de capital riesgo.- Investing in startups:Since 2006
- Euros invested:+€48M
- Investments:317
- Exits:37
We also particularly value the fact that the technology is based on a molecule with a known clinical record, which reduces part of the development risk that is usual in this type of project. In addition, the preclinical results obtained to date are solid and support the company's potential.
Another key aspect is the market. Glaucoma represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity and large pharmaceutical companies are continuously looking for innovative ophthalmology assets to add to their portfolios. Telara has defined a clear value-creation strategy based on reaching clinical milestones and, subsequently, licensing the technology to a company in the sector.
Finally, we trust the team. It has demonstrated the ability to generate intellectual property, advance complex programs and, most importantly, has already previously validated its business model through an international licensing agreement with Arch Biopartners. The combination of a disruptive technology, an attractive market, a defined exit strategy and an experienced team leads us to consider that Telara Pharma represents an excellent investment opportunity".
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