Cancer remains one of the most pressing medical challenges of our time, and despite significant progress in immuno-oncology, many patients with solid tumors continue to face limited treatment options. The biotech world has long been dominated by therapies targeting the adaptive immune system, especially T-cell–based strategies like checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies. While groundbreaking, these approaches have not been equally effective across all cancers and often come with safety trade-offs.
Enter Affivant, a Basel-based biotech that is quietly but ambitiously building a new class of therapies focused on activating the innate immune system. With its Innate Cell Engager (ICE) platform, Affivant is designing bispecific antibodies that recruit and direct natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This emerging modality is generating strong interest because of its potential to expand treatment efficacy to a broader range of solid tumors.
Company Origins and Background
Affivant was founded in 2020 as part of the Roivant “Vant” family of biotechs. Roivant Sciences, well known for spinning out disease- or modality-focused ventures, saw an opportunity to invest in an area of immunotherapy that had been underexplored relative to T-cell–based approaches. By seeding Affivant, Roivant aimed to accelerate the development of a platform that could engage innate immunity with precision.
The company established its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, one of Europe’s most active life sciences hubs. Basel’s rich talent pool and proximity to leading pharma companies like Novartis and Roche provide Affivant with an environment well-suited for growth.
Today, Affivant is still privately held, with early financing including a Series A raise in 2023 to fund clinical development of its first ICE therapy. The company’s lean yet experienced team, including Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Zoë Johnson, is steering its programs through the challenging but potentially transformative preclinical-to-clinical transition.
What Are Innate Cell Engagers (ICEs)?
The immune system has two primary arms: the adaptive immune system, which relies on highly specific recognition of antigens by T and B cells, and the innate immune system, which serves as the body’s first line of defense. While most modern immunotherapies focus on adaptive pathways, the innate immune system represents a vast and underutilized opportunity.
ICEs are tetravalent, bispecific antibodies designed to bind two different targets simultaneously:
- CD16A – an activating receptor found on NK cells and macrophages.
- Tumor-associated antigens – proteins highly expressed on cancer cells.
By bringing innate immune cells into close proximity with tumor cells, ICEs trigger direct cell killing, phagocytosis, and the release of anti-tumor cytokines. Unlike T-cell therapies, this approach does not require complex patient-specific engineering, making ICEs more scalable and potentially safer.
The Lead Program: AFVT-2101 (CD16A × FRα)
Affivant’s flagship therapy is AFVT-2101, a bispecific ICE targeting folate receptor alpha (FRα) on tumor cells and CD16A on innate immune effectors.
Why FRα?
FRα is expressed at varying levels across several solid tumors, including ovarian, endometrial, and certain lung cancers. Existing therapies against FRα, particularly antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), have shown activity but face limitations in terms of safety and tumor selectivity.
Affivant’s ICE approach could overcome these challenges:
- Broader patient reach: By binding FRα across a spectrum of expression levels (low to high).
- Potentially safer profile: Avoiding cytotoxic payloads that can damage Healthy tissues.
- Innate synergy: Harnessing NK cells and macrophages directly for anti-tumor activity.
Preclinical Promise
Preclinical data released by Affivant highlighted robust in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo tumor regression, validating the ICE concept. Encouraged by these findings, Affivant advanced AFVT-2101 toward clinical testing with plans for a first-in-human study.
Strategic Position in the Immuno-Oncology Landscape
Affivant’s ICEs represent a distinct category within the rapidly diversifying immuno-oncology ecosystem.
Key Advantages of ICEs
- Complementarity: ICEs could be used as monotherapies or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, or ADCs.
- Scalability: Unlike CAR-T therapies, ICEs are off-the-shelf biologics that can be mass-produced.
- Innate activation: Tapping into NK and macrophage biology could open new frontiers in tumor types less responsive to T-cell–driven therapies.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the promise, several hurdles remain:
- Clinical validation: ICEs are still in early development, and safety/efficacy must be proven in humans.
- Competition: Other biotech and pharma players are exploring NK cell engagers and macrophage-targeting approaches.
- Funding: Scaling up clinical programs in oncology is capital-intensive.
Affivant’s progress will depend on successfully navigating these challenges while differentiating its platform in a crowded but exciting field.
Financing and Business Model
Affivant follows the typical Roivant playbook: build a small, agile biotech around a clear scientific concept, then advance programs through early-stage development with the support of external partners or investors.
The Series A round in 2023 was a pivotal milestone, signaling investor confidence in Affivant’s ICE platform and providing resources to initiate clinical testing. While exact amounts and participants were not widely disclosed, the raise underscores momentum behind innate immunity as a next-generation therapeutic strategy.
Affivant may also explore strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies eager to expand into innate immunotherapy. Such collaborations could bring not only funding but also clinical development expertise and global commercialization capabilities.
Team and Leadership
A biotech’s success often hinges on its leadership team, and Affivant has assembled a roster of experienced scientists and executives.
- Dr. Zoë Johnson (CSO): With a background in antibody engineering and immunology, Johnson has been a public face of Affivant’s science, including presenting at events like BIO International.
- Roivant Support Network: As a “Vant,” Affivant benefits from shared operational, legal, and strategic infrastructure provided by its parent network, enabling a focus on scientific execution.
This combination of entrepreneurial agility and institutional support positions Affivant well for the complexities of oncology development.
Public Presence and Coverage
Though still relatively under the radar, Affivant has begun to attract attention in industry circles.
- Nature (sponsored content): Provided technical insight into Affivant’s ICE platform, particularly AFVT-2101’s CD16A × FRα design.
- Venturelab features: Highlighted Affivant as a member of Switzerland’s biotech innovation scene.
- BIO International 2023: Affivant’s participation showcased both its scientific program and fundraising progress.
In addition, more consumer-facing blogs such as RankerBlog have begun covering Affivant in accessible language, framing it as a “revolutionary cancer immunotherapy biotech.”
The Road Ahead
Affivant stands at an inflection point. If early clinical results confirm the promise of its ICE platform, it could become a major player in the next wave of immuno-oncology innovation. Success with AFVT-2101 would validate not only the drug itself but also the broader concept of engaging innate immunity against cancer.
Future milestones to watch include:
- First-in-human study results from AFVT-2101.
- Expansion of the pipeline to additional tumor antigens beyond FRα.
- Potential partnerships or acquisitions as larger players seek a foothold in ICEs.
Conclusion: Why Affivant Matters
The oncology field is hungry for fresh approaches that can move beyond the limitations of existing therapies. Affivant, with its focus on innate immune cell engagers, is carving a unique path that could complement and expand the immuno-oncology arsenal.
While still early in its journey, the company exemplifies the bold scientific bets needed to change the trajectory of cancer care. If successful, Affivant’s therapies could extend hope to patients with some of the most difficult-to-treat solid tumors.
As this story unfolds, industry watchers, investors, and patients alike will be paying close attention. For those interested in staying ahead of biotech’s next big moves, Affivant is a name worth remembering.
Movies Mod Health & Fitness proudly shares this deep-dive into Affivant and the emerging field of innate immunotherapy, helping readers stay informed about the breakthroughs shaping the future of medicine.