On September 2, 2026 Evotec SE (NASDAQ: EVO; Frankfurt Prime Standard: EVT) and Plectonic Biotech reported a research collaboration to explore a novel immunotherapy approach for solid tumors. The collaboration addresses key challenges that have so far limited the successful application of traditional T cell engager therapies in solid tumors by combining Plectonic’s programmable LOGIBODY technology with Evotec’s proprietary BiTco platform.
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Plectonic’s LOGIBODY technology engineers DNA-protein therapeutics designed to recognize tumors through a highly specific combination of tumor-associated antigens before engaging T cells. Unlike conventional T cell engagers, LOGIBODY molecules require simultaneous binding to a predefined multi-antigen tumor signature to trigger T cell activation. This logic-gated approach represents a novel drug class aimed at improving treatment precision, reducing activation in healthy tissues and potentially broadening the therapeutic window.
Evotec’s BiTco platform is based on a proprietary, non-blocking CD2 antibody designed to provide an additional costimulatory signal to T cells, enhancing their activity and persistence within the tumor microenvironment. The antibody targets a unique CD2 epitope while preserving its natural interactions, enabling BiTco to strengthen T cell responses, enhance tumor cell killing mediated by T cell engagers, and delay T cell exhaustion.
By combining highly selective tumor recognition and enhanced T-cell activation, the companies will explore whether their integrated technologies can improve both the precision and potency of T-cell-engaging approaches in solid tumors. Under the terms of the agreement, the collaboration will generate preclinical proof-of-concept data to evaluate the potential of this new generation of T-cell-engaging approaches.
Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, said:
"T cell engagers have demonstrated significant promise in oncology in blood cancers, yet challenges remain in extending their clinical success to solid tumors, which represent approximately 90 percent of all cancers. Through this collaboration, we aim to evaluate the potential of combining our proprietary BiTco platform with Plectonic’s LOGIBODY technology and explore new strategies to enhance T cell engager activity in solid tumors. Our CD2-based co-stimulation approach is an ideal component for this effort or any TCE development strategy that seeks an effective source of T cell co-stimulation in the solid tumor setting."
Dr. Klaus Wagenbauer, CEO and Founder of Plectonic Biotech, added:
"This collaboration with Evotec highlights the broad potential and modularity of our LOGIBODY technology to engineer logic-gated T-cell-engaging biologics and explore novel multi-specific designs. By combining our complementary technologies, we have the opportunity to enable highly precise and controlled immune activation at the tumor. Together, we look forward to investigating this next-generation modality and exploring new ways to address long-standing challenges in tumor selectivity and safety that have limited the effectiveness of T cell engagers in solid tumor indications."
Plectonic has demonstrated the modularity of its LOGIBODY technology in preclinical studies across both liquid and solid tumors, utilizing dual-targeting and co-stimulatory therapeutic strategies. Evotec recently published preclinical research on its BiTco platform, providing proof-of-concept for CD2-mediated T cell co-stimulation in combination with T cell engager approaches.
(Press release, Evotec, SEP 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234670497])