Key Investor Signals
€4.5M+ KWF funding secured for the first patient study
KWF approved more than €4.5 million for Lumox's planned first clinical study in head and neck cancer at UMC Utrecht, supporting its move toward testing in patients.
Eradicated oral tumors in veterinary cat patients
Lumox's platform has been applied in cats with oral cancer in veterinary practice, with tumor eradication in multiple patients and no reported treatment-related side effects.
Exclusive licence gives Lumox rights to two core Utrecht University patents
Lumox signed an exclusive licence with Utrecht Holdings for two patents protecting the core technology developed at Utrecht University.
Other Positive Signals
- Selected for €200,000 in 2025 Biotech Booster project funding.
- Won the 2026 NL Startup Competition, one of the Netherlands' largest startup contests.
- Won the Innovator Award at the 2025 Philips Innovation Award Grand Final.
- Awarded €449,900 in NWO Take-off Phase 2 funding for a two-year project preparing its first patient trial.
Team
Sebas Pronk
Co-founder & CEO
- Completed a 2024 PhD at Utrecht University on nanobody-drug conjugates for targeted intracellular drug delivery.
- Worked in R&D at LinXis B.V., co-authoring a 2021 proof-of-principle study on single-domain antibody drug delivery.
- Worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Sabrina Oliveira's Molecular Targeted Therapies group at Utrecht University.
Irati Beltrán Hernández
Co-founder & CSO
- Completed a 2021 PhD at Utrecht University on translating nanobody-targeted light-activated cancer therapy toward clinical use.
- First-authored a 2021 study advancing nanobody-targeted light therapy toward treatment of feline oral cancer.
- Worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Sabrina Oliveira's Molecular Targeted Therapies group at Utrecht University.
Cristianne Rijcken
Co-founder & CDO
- Founded Cristal Therapeutics and led it from Utrecht University spin-out to venture-backed clinical development.
- Led development of CriPec, a docetaxel cancer treatment, from academic research into a Phase 2 clinical study for solid tumors.
- Authored more than 30 scientific publications and is named on all Cristal Therapeutics patents and patent applications.
Product
Selective PhotoTherapy is an injected nanobody-drug conjugate designed for solid tumors that can be reached with light. Lumox's lead construct targets EGFR; after the conjugate accumulates at the tumor, local red-light illumination activates the drug and triggers cell killing.
Combines molecular targeting with local activation
A nanobody binds EGFR on tumor cells and carries the light-activated drug to the target. The therapy is then switched on only where red light is applied, adding spatial control to molecular targeting.
Designed for a same-day treatment protocol
The small nanobody format reaches the tumor within one to two hours and clears rapidly. Lumox is designing the treatment around a same-day visit with a short light-avoidance window rather than prolonged light sensitivity.
Can be retargeted to different solid tumors
The light-activated payload can be paired with a different tumor-binding nanobody, allowing the platform to target other solid tumors that express a suitable surface marker and can be reached with light.
Market Overview
Head and neck cancer remains a large global oncology indication in which treatment can permanently affect speech, swallowing and appearance. Surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapy can control disease, but recurrence and long-term functional damage leave a clear need for more selective local treatment.
Lumox is starting in a setting well suited to light activation: head and neck tumors are accessible for local illumination, and EGFR is frequently overexpressed in this cancer type. This gives the platform a clearly defined initial patient group where both the biological target and treatment delivery approach are well matched to the disease.
New head and neck cancer cases estimated worldwide in 2022, showing a large patient population for more selective treatment approaches.
Share of survivors reporting swallowing difficulty 6 months to 10 years after chemoradiotherapy.
Reported range of local or regional recurrence, leaving substantial need for better local disease control after standard treatment.
Share of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas reported to overexpress EGFR, supporting the relevance of Lumox's initial target.
Comparable Outcomes
Ablynx
Ablynx developed Nanobody therapeutics, single-domain antibody fragments used as a platform for targeted drug development. Its pipeline included a late-stage treatment for a rare blood-clotting disorder. Sanofi acquired Ablynx in 2018 for approximately €3.9 billion, adding its Nanobody technology platform and late-stage pipeline.
Merus
Merus developed multispecific antibody therapies for cancer. Its lead asset petosemtamab targets EGFR and reached Phase 3 development in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Genmab acquired Merus in December 2025 for $97 per share in cash, with a total purchase price of approximately $8.0 billion.
Interested in More Startups Like Lumox?
Get a curated pipeline of healthcare and life sciences startups aligned with your investment thesis.
Sources
This profile was built from public company materials, ecosystem sources, market references, and professional profiles.