Paula Videira, Director of UCIBIO and leader of the Glycoimmunology Research Lab at UCIBIO-NOVA FCT, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 European Inventor Award. The nomination recognizes the development of L2A5, a breakthrough antibody that identifies cancer-specific molecular signatures with unprecedented precision.
Accurately distinguishing cancer cells from healthy tissue remains a primary challenge in oncology, often limiting the success of both early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. By targeting tumor-associated sugar molecules (glycans), the innovation developed by Paula Videira and her team at UCIBIO - NOVA FCT provides a new pathway for selective cancer treatment. For this achievement, she has been selected as a finalist in the “Research” category by an independent jury of the European Patent Office (EPO).
Breakthrough in Cancer Selectivity: The L2A5 Antibody
Cancer cells frequently display altered sugar molecules on their surface, known as glycans. While these act as disease markers, their similarity to structures on normal cells makes it difficult to target tumors without damaging healthy tissue.
The UCIBIO team addressed this by developing L2A5, an antibody that recognizes glycans in a specific configuration exposed on cancer cells but inaccessible in healthy tissue. This high level of molecular selectivity allows the antibody to bind to malignant cells with a precision that previous methods could not reach.
“There was no ‘eureka’ moment; it was a cumulative process,” says Paula Videira. “Each experiment reinforced our confidence. However, when we observed our antibody binding to tumor tissue but not to healthy tissue, we realized the full therapeutic potential of our invention.”
Translating Long-term Research into Clinical Potential
The path to L2A5 is the result of years of fundamental academic work in cancer-associated glycobiology at UCIBIO. This complex field requires extensive optimization and validation to translate laboratory findings into practical medical tools.
Despite the challenges, the team combined fundamental research with a clear vision for medical application, establishing vital partnerships with the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon (IPO) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The result is a patented technology with high potential for use in cancer diagnostics and as a foundation for targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates.
“Our story could not have emerged from a single disciplinary area,” notes Videira. “Strong teams are built not only with people, but also with institutions. In research, when we share ideas, the energy becomes collective.”
Support UCIBIO in the Public Prize
The winners of the 2026 European Inventor Award will be announced during a ceremony in Berlin on July 2, 2026.
In addition to the jury-selected categories, the Public Prize is awarded based on a worldwide vote. Voting opens today, May 12, 2026, and remains open until the day of the ceremony. We invite the UCIBIO community to support this achievement by casting their vote for Paula Videira and her team here.