Aptadir Therapeutics is a Milan-based preclinical biotechnology company developing RNA inhibitor-based therapeutics for intractable genetic conditions and underserved cancers. Its platform is built on a class of RNAs called DNMT1-interacting RNAs (DiRs), which bind and inhibit DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), blocking aberrant DNA methylation at a single-gene level and reactivating genes that have been silenced. The lead candidate, CAP1-FMR1, is being developed for Fragile X Syndrome, while an earlier program, Aptadir Ce-49, targets myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS).

The company was launched in September 2024 with $1.6M in pre-seed funding from EXTEND, the technology transfer hub launched by CDP Venture Capital and jointly funded by Angelini Ventures and Evotec, and it is the first biotech company born from EXTEND. The underlying science originates from research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Harvard Medical School, the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore. Giovanni Amabile was appointed Executive Chairman and acting CEO at launch.

In September 2026 Aptadir closed a EUR 40 million seed round led by 4BIO Capital, with participation from EXTEND, CDP Venture Capital, Indaco Venture Partners, XGEN Venture, CE-Ventures, Angelini Ventures, Kerna Ventures, Italian Angels for Biotech and Club degli Investitori. The round is one of the largest biotech seed financings in Italy and Europe, and the proceeds are intended to advance the pipeline toward clinical development.