Avidicure

First-in-class triple agonistic antibodies that sustainably activate the full immune system

HARNESSING THE POWER OF ANTIBODIES AND THE FULL IMMUNE SYSTEM

About Us

Avidicure is pioneering an entirely new triple agonistic antibody modality, “Actibody”, designed to safely deliver targeted and potent monotherapy for patients, with broad applicability in oncology and autoimmune diseases.

Actibody molecules unlock strong and orchestrated immunological responses, safely harnessing the full power of the innate and adaptive immune system.

Actibody molecules surpass the best qualities of first-generation antibodies, T-cell engagers, conditional agonists and checkpoint inhibitors.

The company’s lead oncology program, AVC-S-201, is a γδ T cell-targeting Actibody for the treatment of AML and several other blood cancer and solid tumor indications.

Avidicure is based in the Netherlands and supported by a syndicate of top-tier investors led by EQT-LS, and with BioGeneration Ventures as founding investor.

LESSONS FROM BIOLOGY LACKING IN CURRENT ANTIBODY MODALITIES

The Challenge

Immune effector cells are induced and modulated through a primary activating signal (Signal 1 – e.g. the T cell receptor or the Fc receptor), together with a second co-stimulatory signal (Signal 2 – e.g. 41BB or CD28), and a third cytokine signal (Signal 3 – e.g. IL2, IL15 or IL21). Only Signal 1/2/3-activated immune cells are armed with the necessary tools to target and kill tumor cells, as well as to orchestrate a full immunological response involving additional myeloid, innate and adaptive effector cells. Lack of an appropriate Signal 2 and Signal 3 can lead to immune cell exhaustion (cell death, anergy and terminal differentiation), and can lead to immune responses that are not potent, are disproportional or are even immuno-suppressive. This fundamental biology is considered in adoptive CAR-T cell therapies, which are engineered with co-stimulatory signaling domains and armed with cytokines. Current antibody modalities lack the full variety of signals required to activate immune cells. Fc-competent antibodies and T cell engagers only activate Signal 1, while conditional agonists such as bispecific antibodies targeting CD28 and 41BB are often Fc silenced and typically only modulate Signal 2. This results in poor potency and proliferation of effector cells, immune cell exhaustion, lack of durability, and suppression in tumor micro-environment.

FIRST-IN-CLASS RATIONALLY DESIGNED TRIPLE AGONISTIC ANTIBODIES

Our Platform

The fully owned proprietary Actibody platform builds on a human IgG scaffold to which two proprietary domains are genetically fused, providing unique triple agonism that delivers all required signals to trigger the immune system: primary activation signal (Signal 1), the co-stimulation signal (Signal 2) and the cytokine signal (Signal 3).

By using AI and a range of in silico tools, the co-stimulation domain and cytokine domain in the Actibody are optimized to deliver all three signals, and to stimulate the immune response only at the target cell. This unique specificity drives conditional activation, reduces toxicity risks and enhances the therapeutic window.

The Actibody platform was designed combining decades of antibody engineering know-how, in silico design capabilities and immunology expertise.

Actibody molecules can be manufactured in a scalable and cost-effective way using well-established antibody production platforms.

ACTIVATion of THE FULL IMMUNE SYSTEM

Mode of Action

Actibody molecules sustainably activate and modulate the full power of the innate and adaptive immune system. The genetically fused co-stimulatory domain and cytokine domain in the Actibody are engineered to be functional only in the immunological synapse that is formed between immune cells and the target cells. Actibody molecules are therefore safe as they are only active locally at the target tissue. The Actibody drives enhanced proliferation and survival of immune cells and makes them resistant to the immunosuppressive TME. This turns cold tumors hot, delivering antigen and antibody independent tumor killing, immune surveillance and immune orchestration.

BROAD THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Pipeline

The Actibody modality has broad potential across multiple therapeutic areas, including solid tumors, hematologic cancers and autoimmune disease. Avidicure’s lead product is AVC-S-201, a γδ T cell-targeting antibody that is being developed for AML and multiple other cancer indications.

Leadership

Avidicure’s management team is uniquely qualified to develop this new first-in-class treatment modality, merging proven drug development leadership, clear strategic vision and scientific rigor. The team brings decades of pharmaceutical executive leadership experience, with demonstrated execution from early target discovery through development, manufacturing and commercialization, while playing key roles in the notable strategic acquisitions of Crucell, Ablynx and Kiadis.

CEO

Arthur Lahr

COO

Dirk De Naeyer

CSO

Robert Friesen

CBO

Govert Schouten

Board / SAB

Avidicure has a seasoned board, with a deep track record in venture capital, life sciences and biotech

Chairman

Frank Verwiel

Boardmember

Oskar Slotboom

Boardmember

Martijn Kleijwegt

Boardmember

Rémi Droller

Boardmember

Hunter Smith

Boardmember

Helen Collins

Chair SAB

Joern-Peter Halle

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