KWF invests over €4.5 million to bring Lumox’ light-activated cancer therapy to its first patients
The Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding) will invest more than €4.5 million in the first clinical study of
PRECISION ONCOLOGY, ENGINEERED FOR THE FUTURE
Destroy the Tumor,
Spare Everything Else.
A tumor that disappears, without sacrificing the healthy tissue and function around it. A nanobody delivers the drug straight to the tumor; harmless light activates it only there, sparing everything else. And unlike radiotherapy, the treatment can be repeated.
We exist to close the precision gap in cancer treatment by combining a tumor-seeking nanobody with a light-activatable drug, striking exactly where it matters, when everything is on the line.
Trusted by
The Problem
Two Impossible Choices
Every year, one million people worldwide are diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Too often, the only curative option is radical surgery; removing part of the tongue, jaw, or throat. Patients may survive, but up to 75% struggle long-term with speaking, swallowing, or eating. And even after that sacrifice, as many as 50% relapse.
Patients and doctors face the same impossible choice: accept mutilating surgery, or risk recurrence. We built Selective PhotoTherapy so neither has to be the answer.
About the Technology
How Selective PhotoTherapy Works
Day 0
Inject
Administer the nanobody-drug conjugate via the bloodstream
+1-2 hours
Target
Nanobody binds tumor cells
Same visit
Activate
Light temporarily switches on the drug, on site
Day 1-7
Clear & Heal
Drug clears, immune system finishes
This new targeted therapy has clear advantages over conventional approaches. When available, I am willing to apply it so that my patients can benefit from it.
Dr. Karakullukcu
Head and neck surgeon, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
Proof It Works
Proof, Not Promises
A single treatment cures 70-100% of head and neck cancer models, and we cure other mice as well, regardless of which tumor target we used. In real veterinary practice, we eradicated oral tumors in various cat patients, preventing tongue amputations.
The impossible choice between mutilating surgery and recurrence is exactly what this evidence removes.
Why Selective PhotoTherapy Is Different
Two Levels of Selectivity, Not One
Antibody-drug conjugates struggle to penetrate solid tumors and stay in the body for days, causing systemic toxicity. Conventional photodynamic therapy works, but leaves patients light-sensitive for around 4 days before treatment and weeks after.
Our small nanobody penetrates deeper into the tumor, clears from the body within hours, and needs only 1 hour of light avoidance before treatment. A same-day protocol instead of a weeks-long ordeal.
Conventional light therapies (PDT)
Light avoidance
~4 days before
Weeks after
Antibody-drug conjugates
Side effects
Target-related
Drug-related
Selective PhotoTherapy
Lack of side effects
Short light avoidance
Repeatable by Design
Radiotherapy cannot be repeated in more than 90% of head and neck cases. Selective PhotoTherapy can. That turns a single shot at cure into a treatment you can return to.
Our Focus
Head and Neck Cancer
- Over one million new cases per year
- Currently very limited treatments available
- Easily accessible for light application
Starting in head and neck cancer, Selective PhotoTherapy expands to other EGFR-positive squamous cell carcinomas (skin, cervix, anus, penis).
Our Team & Advisory Board
Driven by Entrepreneurship. Grounded in Science.
Sebas Pronk, PhD
CEO & Co-founder
Irati Beltrán Hernández, PhD
CSO & Co-founder
Cristianne Rijcken, PhD
CDO & Co-founder
Jeroen Rovers, PhD, MD
CMO
Edwin Moses, PhD
Led Ablynx’ nanobody platform to a 4-billion-euro exit.
Advisor
Gerben Moolhuizen, PhD
Experienced biotech CEO building companies reaching the clinic.
Advisor
Prof. Dr. Remco de Bree
The authority in the head and neck cancer field.
Advisor
Advisor
Assoc. Prof. Sabrina Oliveira
Expert on nanobodies and inventor of Selective PhotoTherapy.
Advisor
Jack Li, PhD
Expert on light-activatable drug chemistry.
Chemist
Fabiënne Bouquet, BSc
Master student Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences.
Intern
News
What we are working on
Lumox wins first prize at the NL Startup Competition
Biotech company Lumox has won a first prize at the NL Startup Competition, one of the leading startup
Lumox co-founder Irati Beltrán Hernández named FD Talent by Het Financieele Dagblad
A proud moment for Lumox: co-founder Irati Beltrán Hernández is featured in Het Financieele Dagblad as part of
Contact
Address
Lumox B.V.
Princetonlaan 6
3584 CB Utrecht
The Netherlands
Contact details
info@lumoxbiotech.com
Or message us via the contact form or LinkedIn.