Landmark Investments Propel Immunotherapy Innovation Across Europe
UK Biotechs LIfT BioSciences and Centauri Therapeutics Secure Multi-Million-Euro Backing to Advance First-in-Human Clinical Trial
Two pioneering UK-based biopharmaceutical companies have secured substantial funding to accelerate the clinical development of next-generation immunotherapies targeting cancer and drug-resistant infections, underscoring Europe’s growing leadership in biotech innovation.
LIfT BioSciences, a London-based biotech specializing in neutrophil-based immunotherapies, has been awarded a record-breaking €12 million grant from Ireland’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). This landmark investment — the largest in the DTIF’s history — will fund a first-in-human clinical trial of the company’s Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs), engineered cells designed to overcome tumour resistance in hard-to-treat solid cancers.
The trial, set to begin in Q4 2026, will focus on patients with metastatic cervical and head & neck cancers who have exhausted standard treatment options. Conducted in partnership with the University of Galway and Hooke Bio, the trial will initially assess safety and dosing, before expanding to include combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors.
“This grant represents a major milestone in our mission to transform cancer treatment,” said Alex Blyth, CEO of LIfT BioSciences. “It validates the potential of IMANs and supports our ongoing clinical and manufacturing expansion in Ireland, while strengthening our Series A fundraising efforts.”
Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, emphasized the importance of the DTIF’s investment in LIfT’s N-LIfT project, highlighting its potential to reshape the treatment landscape for advanced cancers. The project integrates LIfT’s cutting-edge immunotherapy platform with Galway’s translational research expertise and Hooke Bio’s “Mera” high-throughput analytics platform, aimed at improving predictive accuracy in immunotherapy response.
This collaborative effort seeks to unlock the therapeutic power of neutrophils—traditionally seen as short-lived immune cells—as a scalable and effective cell therapy for cancer.
In a separate announcement, Centauri Therapeutics, based in Alderley Park, UK, confirmed a further $5.1 million in non-dilutive funding from CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) to advance its ABX-01 programme. This brings CARB-X’s total commitment to $12.3 million since 2019.
ABX-01 is an immune-enhancing, broad-spectrum antimicrobial targeting drug-resistant Gram-negative lung infections. Derived from Centauri’s proprietary Alphamer® platform, the candidate combines direct antibacterial action with immune activation via complement fixation and phagocytosis. First-in-human trials are expected in early 2026.
“With CARB-X’s continued support, we’ve transitioned seamlessly from discovery into clinical development,” said Dr Jennifer Schneider, CEO of Centauri Therapeutics. “ABX-01 represents a critical new approach to treating multidrug-resistant infections in high-risk patient groups.”
Together, these major funding awards mark a significant advancement in early-stage immunotherapy development in Europe, highlighting the role of public-private partnerships in translating groundbreaking science into clinical impact. As both oncology and infectious disease pipelines move toward human trials, the momentum behind innovative, immune-based therapies continues to build across the region.
