New Biotech, Avidicure, Launched to Develop Multifunctional Antibody Modality for Cancer

BillionPhotos.com - stock.adobe.com

Netherlands-based Avidicure is a new biotechnology company that has been launched from a $50 million seed financing round. Announcing the launch on April 24, 2025, the company said it aims to develop a new multifunctional antibody modality that will have broad applicability in oncology. The financing round was led by EQT Life Sciences. Other participants included Kurma Partners, BioGeneration Ventures, BOM, Curie Capital, and V-Bio Ventures.

Avidicure’s platform technology is based on dual agonistic, multifunctional and avidity engineered antibodies, or AVC-Boosters, that can safely deliver targeted and potent cancer monotherapy. AVC-Boosters work by unlocking strong and orchestrated immunological responses, harnessing both the innate and adaptive immune system. According to the company, the design of these AVC-Boosters is a step up from the best qualities built into first-generation antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell engagers, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) (1).

“AVC-Boosters have the potential to change the treatment landscape for a wide range of cancers as first-in-class multifunctional antibody products that safely mobilize the full power of the immune system,” said Arthur Lahr, chief executive officer, Avidicure, in a company press release (1). “Our products drive targeted and potent immune responses only in the tumor with reduced toxicity risk. We are eager to build a broad pipeline with our unique platform and progress our lead oncology product, AVC-S-101, into clinical development for solid tumors.”

This platform technology leverages decades of antibody engineering, in-silico protein design capabilities, and immunology expertise. It has a plug-and-play functionality, which offers the flexibility for multiple product development. Avidicure’s lead product, AVC-S-101, targets Trop2 and boosts that protein’s expression. It is being developed for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and multiple other indications.

Trop2, a transmembrane glycoprotein, is an intracellular calcium signal transducer that is differentially expressed in many cancers. Among its functions is signaling cells for self-renewal, proliferation, invasion, and survival. It also has stem cell-like qualities. It is expressed in many normal tissues; however it is overexpressed in many cancers (2).

“Avidicure is taking an entirely new approach with broad clinical potential,” said Joern-Peter Halle, PhD, former chief strategy officer and global head of Research at Merck KGaA and chairman of Avidicure’s scientific advisory board, in the press release. “Avidicure’s multifunctional antibodies provide a novel treatment modality with a unique, differentiated mode of action. These products are well-positioned to make a significant impact in the treatment of cancer patients.”

Avidicure’s management team includes Arthur Lahr as CEO, Dirk De Naeyer as chief operating officer, Robert Friesen as chief scientific officer, and Govert Schouten as chief business officer, who previously served as executive management in Crucell, Ablynx, and Kiadis. The company’s supervisory board includes Frank Verwiel (Intellia, Aptalis, Bavarian Nordic, Merck & Co.), Martijn Kleijwegt (EQT-LS), Hunter Smith (Rhythm), and Helen Collins (Five Prime, Enliven, Gilead, Amgen).

Molecular engineering has significantly contributed to the clinical success of antibodies over the years with the modular structure of antibodies lending itself to modification in numerous ways, allowing for researchers to meet various clinical requirements. Antibody engineering has made it possible to modify the molecular size, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, binding affinity, specificity, and effector function of antibodies (3).

References

1. Avidicure. Avidicure Launches with $50 Million in Seed Financing to Develop New Multifunctional Antibody Modality to Treat Cancer. Press Release. April 24, 2025.
2. Shvartsur, A.; Bonavida, B. Trop2 and Its Overexpression in Cancers: Regulation and Clinical/Therapeutic Implications. Genes Cancer. 2015, 6 (3–4), 84–105. DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.40
3. Jain, M.; Kamal, N.; Batra, S. K. Engineering Antibodies for Clinical Applications. Trends Biotechnol. 2007, 25 (7), 307–316. DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2007.05.001