LAVA Therapeutics N.V.

LAVA Therapeutics N.V. is a biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation bispecific gamma-delta T cell engaging (bsTCE) antibodies to fight cancer. The company's expertise lies in gamma-delta T-cell engagers (TCEs), known as gamma-delta bispecial T-cell engagers, which specifically activate a unique and abundant effector gamma-delta T-cell subset called Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells, triggering activity of immune cells. LAVA's bsTCEs have shown superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to other bsTCE approaches in preclinical studies, demonstrating preferential activity against tumor cells and potentially limiting toxicity in healthy tissue. LAVA is the only company developing bispecific gamma-delta T-cell engaging antibodies for cancer treatment. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in The Netherlands, the company raised a notable $83.00M Series C investment on 17 September 2020 from a group of prominent investors including Gilde Healthcare, Versant Ventures, Redmile Group, MRL Ventures Fund, Sanofi Ventures, Ysios Capital, Novo Ventures, and Pureos Bioventures. LAVA Therapeutics N.V. is building a pipeline of gamma-delta bsTCEs with applications in solid and hematologic malignancies. Their lead program, LAVA-051, targets the tumor-specific antigen CD1d and is set to enter a Phase I/IIa study in 1Q21.