LIfT BioSciences has recently secured £10 million in the first close of its Series A funding round, an achievement that sets the stage for the company to advance its pioneering cell therapy into clinical trials. This influx of capital will help accelerate the development of its Neutrophil Only Leukocyte Infusion Therapy (N-LIfT), a breakthrough platform that promises to transform cancer treatment by leveraging the body’s innate immune system. The company plans to initiate Phase I clinical trials with Galway University, where they will evaluate the safety and efficacy of their Immunomodulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs), which are designed to kill solid tumours, both directly and indirectly, by activating the patient’s immune system.
IMANs represent a novel class of supercharged neutrophils that address one of the major hurdles in oncology—tumour resistance. Unlike current therapies, IMANs target the tumour microenvironment, which is often a significant barrier to effective treatment. In many cancers, Tumour Associated Neutrophils (TANs) actively suppress the immune system, allowing tumours to grow unchecked. LIfT’s IMANs replace these pro-tumour neutrophils with powerful, anti-tumour agents that recruit the patient’s immune cells to attack the cancer. This dual mechanism makes IMANs particularly effective against “cold” tumours, which are typically resistant to therapies like checkpoint inhibitors. The potential impact here is significant, as checkpoint inhibitors alone represent a market worth over $43 billion, and LIfT’s therapy could more than double patient response rates to these treatments.
The Series A funding round was led by new investor, the Sijbrandij Foundation, alongside returning investors such as Lifespan Vision Ventures, Starbloom Capital, and Jonathan Milner. With this financial backing, LIfT is positioned to advance its clinical programme, which includes securing vital partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies for future licensing opportunities. The biotech sector has seen increased investment activity in recent years, particularly in the field of immuno-oncology, where breakthroughs like LIfT’s could lead to highly lucrative outcomes. As companies seek to address unmet medical needs, this focus on immune system modulation is gaining traction, making LIfT’s platform especially attractive to both investors and potential collaborators.
Chief Executive Alex Blyth expressed his optimism regarding the progress, emphasising that the company’s robust pre-clinical data has been key in attracting investor confidence. He highlighted that the upcoming clinical trials could pave the way for long-term partnerships and licensing agreements that could expand the reach of IMANs beyond cancer treatment. The aim is to develop a portfolio of engineered CAR IMAN cell therapies that can target a broader range of solid tumours, potentially unlocking applications in other disease areas as well.
The long-term potential for LIfT’s technology extends well beyond cancer therapy, as its immune-modulating platform could be applied to other diseases that similarly evade immune detection. Investors, already drawn by the compelling clinical evidence and the company’s strategic vision, are now watching LIfT closely as it prepares to enter the next critical phase of development. This combination of scientific innovation, a strong market opportunity, and strategic foresight could see LIfT emerge as a key player in the future of immunotherapy.
(Source: Liftbioscience)