GSK and LTZ Therapeutics Announce $50M Partnership to Develop First-in-Class Myeloid Cell Engagers for Cancer
GSK has paid $50 million upfront to LTZ Therapeutics as part of a strategic collaboration focused on developing up to four potential first-in-class myeloid cell engager therapies targeting hematologic cancers and solid tumors157.
LTZ Therapeutics specializes in drugs that engage myeloid cells, which shape the tumor microenvironment by suppressing or stimulating immune responses, offering potential advantages over conventional T-cell engagers13.
The agreement grants GSK exclusive worldwide development and commercial rights for the four preclinical therapies, with LTZ eligible for additional milestone payments and tiered royalties on future sales7.
This deal positions GSK among pharmaceutical leaders pursuing myeloid cell engager modalities, a field that has also attracted Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi in similar deals over recent years15.
LTZ’s proprietary Myeloid Engager Platform aims to harness the innate immune system by activating myeloid cells to phagocytose tumor cells, reprogram the tumor microenvironment, and enhance antigen presentation—offering a potentially safer immune-engagement profile in cancer treatment37.
LTZ recently initiated clinical trials for a myeloid cell engager targeting CD79B, but the GSK deal covers global rights to up to four preclinical programs against undisclosed targets111.
The collaboration supports GSK’s oncology strategy to use novel technologies for transformative cancer medicines and expands its pipeline following other significant deals in 2023 and 202417.
Sources:
1. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/gsk-pens-50m-ltz-pact-join-big-pharma-peers-emerging-modality
3. https://www.pharmiweb.com/pwtoday-story/gsk-ltz-therapeutics-forge-strategic-alliance-to-advance-myeloid-cell-engager-oncology-programmes
5. https://www.noahai.co/discover/article/12967
7. https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-and-ltz-announce-strategic-collaboration-to-advance-novel-myeloid-cell-engagers-in-oncology/
11. https://www.oncologypipeline.com/apexonco/gsk-buys-myeloid-cell-engagers