The international Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) is the principal partner of RECEPTA biopharma company. The four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) licensed to the Company were developed by LICR researchers. The Institute is a non-profit research organization, with an annual budget of US$ 100 million, which is dedicated to the understanding, treatment and control of cancer. It has branches in Europe, Australia and North and South America.
As well as the licensing of the mAb intellectual property rights, the institute contributes scientific and technological advice to RECEPTA biopharma . The scientists collaborating directly with RECEPTA biopharma include Andrew Scott, M.D. from the LICR Melbourne (Australia) Center for Clinical Sciences, and both Gerd Ritter, Ph.D., and pathologist, Achim Jungblüth, M.D., from the LICR New York (USA) Branch located on the campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center.
The LICR São Paulo Branch, established in Brazil in 1983, is also one of RECEPTA biopharma's partners. Directed by Luisa Lina Villa, Ph.D., the Company-related research at this branch is being conducted by Anamaria Camargo, Ph.D., a specialist in molecular genetics, and by Sandro de Souza, Ph.D., a bioinformatics specialist. A major emphasis of the research at the LICR São Paulo Branch is on the identification of new tumor antigens and the generation of the corresponding mAbs. This project will be conducted in collaboration with Gerd Ritter, Ph.D. at the LICR's New York Branch. The LICR São Paulo Branch is known internationally for its participation in the Human Cancer Genome Project, and is located within the prestigious Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital in São Paulo.