Lakefront sells preclinical CAR-T pipeline to Armed Cell Therapeutics

Lakefront Biotherapeutics NV announced on October 14, 2026 that it had completed the sale of its early-stage cell therapy pipeline to Armed Cell Therapeutics BV, a Belgium-based biotechnology company developing next-generation armed CAR-T therapies for cancer, formed by executives Paul Stoffels, John Mellors and Peter Verhaeghe.¹

The assets being sold originated from outside research. The preclinical program is based on technology originated from, and research undertaken by AboundBio, which was acquired by Lakefront NV (previously Galapagos NV) in 2022.¹

On deal terms, the agreement includes an upfront payment of €8 million and the potential for up to $230 million in milestone payments plus a low-single-digit royalty to Lakefront.¹

Describing the science, the company said the transferred preclinical assets comprise multi-targeting and armed CAR-T constructs designed to improve the potency and persistence of CAR-Ts and prevent cancer treatment resistance in hematological and solid tumors of high unmet need.¹ Going forward, Armed Cell Therapeutics will independently advance these programs.¹

Lakefront Chief Business Officer Sooin Kwon commented that the sale provides a path to continue to advance these assets on behalf of patients and offers Lakefront shareholders the opportunity to benefit from their potential future progress by the team at Armed Cell Therapeutics.¹

The transaction follows an earlier strategic decision. Lakefront had previously announced its intention to wind down its cell therapy activities following a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, and that process is now substantially complete.¹

Lakefront describes itself as having established a clinical-stage portfolio in immunology and inflammation, anchored by gamgertamig, a potential first-in-class and best-in-class BCMAxCD3 T-cell engager for autoimmune diseases.¹