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Biological products

Lava Therapeutics Develops Novel Antibodies for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Lava Therapeutics N.V. has been issued a patent for a novel antibody that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and can stimulate autologous Vg9Vd2 T cells to kill prostate cancer cells. The patent, titled "Antibodies that bind PSMA and gamma-delta T cell receptors," was filed on May 6, 2024, and published online on September 30, 2025.

The novel antibody combines PSMA-binding regions with binding regions capable of binding a Vg9Vd2 T cell receptor, allowing it to engage T cells and induce killing of prostate cancer cells. In preclinical studies, the antibody demonstrated high potency against patient-derived tumor cells and human prostate cancer cell lines, with minimal toxicity to healthy tissue.

The patent also describes a novel bispecific VHH-human-Fc-containing antibody format, which was developed to have suitable pharmacokinetic properties for use in medical treatment. The format was found to have a highly homogenous and pure product, with low levels of cytokine release and minimal renal filtration.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lava Therapeutics has developed a novel antibody that targets PSMA and stimulates Vg9Vd2 T cells to kill prostate cancer cells.
  • The antibody was found to have high potency against patient-derived tumor cells and human prostate cancer cell lines, with minimal toxicity to healthy tissue.
  • A novel bispecific VHH-human-Fc-containing antibody format was developed, which has suitable pharmacokinetic properties for use in medical treatment.
  • The format has a highly homogenous and pure product, with low levels of cytokine release and minimal renal filtration.
  • The patent claims cover a wide range of uses for the antibody, including the treatment of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and other types of cancer.

Statistics:

  • 124 to 1 effector to target cell ratio was effective in killing prostate cancer cells.
  • Low levels of cytokine release were observed, indicating a low risk of cytokine release syndrome.
  • The antibody was found to be effective against patient-derived tumor cells and human prostate cancer cell lines.

Sources:

  • Iglesias Guimarais, Victoria. Antibodies that bind PSMA and gamma-delta T cell receptors. U.S. Patent Number 12428493, filed May 6, 2024, and published online on September 30, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12428493)&db=USPAT&type=ids

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