GSK Bets $50M on LTZ’s Immune-Engager Platform for Next-Gen Cancer Treatment

GSK and LTZ Therapeutics have agreed to a strategic collaboration that the two companies say will address a significant unmet need in oncology, by advancing the development of novel myeloid cell engagers (MCEs) (1). GSK has been granted an exclusive licensing option, for which it will pay LTZ $50 million up front, to develop and commercialize as many as four potential first-in-class NCE therapies worldwide, focusing on hematologic cancers as well as solid tumors (1).

GSK has made oncology a focus in 2025, as evidenced by the April 2025 approval by the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency of belantamab mafodotin—an antibody-drug conjugate that comprises a humanized B cell maturation antigen monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic agent auristatin F via a non-cleavable linker—for treatment of certain adults with multiple myeloma (2).

Is myeloid cell engagement the next oncology frontier?

The collaboration highlights an increased focus on MCEs, an emerging class of immuno-oncology treatments that utilize the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells (1).

“By combining our scientific expertise with LTZ’s innovative immune-engager platform, we aim to accelerate first-in-class myeloid cell engager therapies in hematologic cancers and solid tumors to transform outcomes with a safety profile to enable broad community access for people living with cancer,” Hesham Abdullah, senior vice-president, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said in a company press release (1).

What novel technology is being leveraged?

As Abdullah mentioned, the initiative utilizes LTZ’s innovative immune-engager platform, aligning with GSK’s strategy of investing in next-generation technologies to advance cancer medicines with transformative potential (1). Since myeloid cells constitute a large proportion of tissue resident immune cells, the approach offers the potential for broad and sustained infiltration of tumors.

“This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to uncover the potential of myeloid biology to deliver new treatment options for diseases with significant unmet need,” said Robert Li, founder and CEO of LTZ (1). “Working with GSK for oncology indications will enable us to accelerate this vision, uniting expertise, and a common goal of improving outcomes for patients.”

How might development shift patient care?

Drug developers are prioritizing safety profiles that enable broad community access, as existing effective modalities often require inpatient monitoring due to significant side effects (1). The LTZ platform is designed to combine potent anti-cancer cell killing with a favorable safety profile, which could enable treatment in community settings.

How do collaborations influence pipeline growth?

Strategic agreements of this nature enable large biopharma companies like GSK to rapidly expand their pipeline in key therapeutic areas by gaining an exclusive option to license worldwide development and commercial rights for novel preclinical assets (1). This high-value investment is demonstrated by the $50 million upfront payment, emphasizing the industry importance of novel immunotherapy platforms.

What other oncology innovations are emerging?

At CPHI Frankfurt 2025, BioPharm International® spoke with Viktoria Enkmann, co-founder and CEO of RNAnalytics, about the August 2025 decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to wind down its messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine development activities—although Enkmann pointed out that not all mRNA development was subject to HHS’ cuts.

“One of the big areas where mRNA-based therapeutics are highly relevant is oncology, and not just therapeutic vaccines,” Enkmann said (3). “And in this area, the contracts were not canceled, so this is still going on, and even the policymakers in the US recognize that this is a very important area.”

References

1. GSK. GSK and LTZ Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Novel Myeloid Cell Engagers in Oncology. Press Release. Nov. 19, 2025.
2. GSK. Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) Combinations Approved by UK MHRA in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Press Release. April 21, 2025.
3. Lavery, P. RNAnalytics CPHI Interview, Part Two: Nanoparticle Case Studies and Response to US mRNA Pullback. BioPharmInternational.com, Oct. 30, 2025.