2025/01/23

New bi-specific antibodies for cancer treatment receive ERC Proof of Concept funding

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a Proof of Concept grant to fund the BiParatopic project.
This innovative initiative aims to develop bi-specific antibodies capable of revolutionizing immunological therapies in cancer treatment, particularly focusing on patients who do not respond to current treatments.

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a Proof of Concept grant to CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, to develop bi-specific antibodies capable of revolutionizing immunotherapy for cancer treatment. Leading this research are Ikerbasque researchers Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director of CIC bioGUNE and head of the Chemical Glycobiology group, and June Ereño-Orbea, leader of the Cancer Glycoimmunology Laboratory.

Under the title Bispecific Bi-paratopic Antibodies for the Treatment of Cancer, the research addresses one of the main challenges in oncology immunotherapy. Despite advances with immune checkpoint inhibitors, more than 70% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) do not respond to treatments such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition. A key mechanism of this resistance is the overexpression of sialic acid glycans on tumor cells, which interfere with the immune system by binding to Siglec receptors on immune cells, blocking their response.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat types, remaining one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. In this context, with the support of the ERC Proof of Concept grant, the CIC bioGUNE team is working on designing bi-specific antibodies that target two epitopes of the same checkpoint receptor, blocking its immunosuppressive function. This strategy has the potential to reactivate the immune system and overcome the limitations of current treatments, offering new therapeutic alternatives for patients resistant to conventional therapies.

The project includes the engineering, structural characterization, and functional validation of these antibodies, as well as preclinical studies in NSCLC models to assess their efficacy. Additionally, is designed to develop a robust commercialization strategy, with the potential for patent filings and engagement with pharmaceutical partners. Our vision is to bring these bispecific antibodies to the clinic, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for patients with NSCLC and other cancers.

Through this initiative, CIC bioGUNE takes a significant step forward in oncological research, opening new treatment possibilities for patients with cancer resistant to conventional therapies, particularly those with non-small cell lung cancer and other tumors.

The ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) projects funded by the European Research Council are aimed at researchers currently holding ERC grants who wish to explore the commercial potential of their research. These projects focus on establishing proof of concept for an idea generated during ERC-funded projects. The funding of €150,000 is primarily allocated to activities aimed at translating research findings into a commercial product.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About Ikerbasque
Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation for Science - is the result of an initiative of the Department of Education of the Basque Government that aims to reinforce the commitment to scientific research by attracting, recovering and consolidating excellent researchers from all over the world. Currently, it is a consolidated organization that has 290 researchers/s, who develop their work in all fields of knowledge.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

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