Versant backs new approach to gamma delta T cells, co-leads Lava's $18.9M round
With immuno-oncology dominating pipelines these days, the field of gamma delta T cells — once a tiny area of study — is gaining some steam. The newest player to the space is Lava Therapeutics, a tiny biotech in the Netherlands that just got $18.9 million co-led by Versant Ventures and Gilde Healthcare to develop its unusual take.
Gamma delta T cells are targets for research for their potential to invade tissue and perhaps be better at infiltrating tumors, which would be a groundbreaker in immuno-oncology. Where CAR-Ts have proved effective in blood cancers, it’s been a challenge getting them into tumors And while checkpoint therapies like Keytruda and Opdivo require an environment with a heavy mutation load to be effective, gamma delta cells – at least in the preclinical work — don’t. Gamma delta cells have the essential properties to get inside tumors to do their work.
Unlock this article instantly by becoming a free subscriber.
You’ll get access to free articles each month, plus you can customize what newsletters get delivered to your inbox each week, including breaking news.
