L1CAM

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is a cell surface protein which is aberrantly expressed in many different tumor types including pancreatic, ovarian, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. L1CAM expression increases the malignancy of these tumors by promoting cellular proliferation, metastatic spread, tumor angiogenesis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Accordingly, L1CAM-positive tumors show a highly malignant and invasive phenotype, leading to a poor prognosis for the affected patients.

Immunotherapy

Elthera is developing an immunotherapy directed against L1CAM which harnesses the patient’s own immune system to actively eliminate cancer cells and stop tumor progression. Our therapeutic molecules are designed to simultaneously bind to L1CAM on the surface of tumor cells and specific receptors on the surface of specialized immune cells, which carry the intrinsic ability to destroy cancer cells. By recruiting these cells to the tumor and activating their lytic functions, our molecules mediate the destruction of the tumor cells and facilitate the development of an immune response against the cancer.

Immunotherapy

Elthera is developing an immunotherapy directed against L1CAM which harnesses the patient’s own immune system to actively eliminate cancer cells and stop tumor progression. Our therapeutic molecules are designed to simultaneously bind to L1CAM on the surface of tumor cells and specific receptors on the surface of specialized immune cells, which carry the intrinsic ability to destroy cancer cells. By recruiting these cells to the tumor and activating their lytic functions, our molecules mediate the destruction of the tumor cells and facilitate the development of an immune response against the cancer.

Intellectual Property

Elthera AG has acquired a worldwide exclusive license to the intellectual property rights protecting the development and commercialization of anti-L1CAM antibodies.

The exclusive license furthermore includes all relevant materials, and know-how e.g. additional undisclosed monoclonal antibodies and research tools.  This exclusive material and know-how facilitates and accelerates the development of an anti-L1CAM based antibody therapy.