08-05-2026
Accurately distinguishing cancer cells from healthy tissue remains one of oncology's greatest challenges, limiting the effectiveness of both diagnosis and treatment. Glycobiology researcher Paula Videira, professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) and director of the UCIBIO research unit, has developed, together with her team, L2A5 — a highly specific antibody that recognises molecular signatures present in cancer cells but absent or inaccessible in healthy tissue.
By identifying tumour-associated sugar molecules with unprecedented precision, the invention opens new possibilities for more selective diagnostics and cancer therapies. For this work, Paula Videira and her team have been selected as finalists in the "Research" category of the European Inventor Award 2026 by an independent jury.
Distinguishing tumour cells from healthy tissue
Cancer remains one of the most serious public health challenges in Europe. According to the European Commission, approximately 2.7 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2024, making it the second leading cause of death overall and the leading cause of death in people under 65.
One of the main difficulties in cancer diagnosis and treatment is identifying molecular characteristics that clearly distinguish tumour cells from healthy tissue. Cancer cells frequently display altered sugar molecules, known as glycans, on their surface. Although these glycans can act as disease markers, similar structures may also be present in normal cells, making selective targeting without affecting healthy tissue extremely challenging.
Videira's team responded to this challenge by developing L2A5, an antibody that recognises tumour-associated glycans in a specific configuration that is exposed on cancer cells but absent or inaccessible in healthy tissue. This molecular selectivity allows the antibody to bind to malignant cells while sparing healthy ones — achieving a level of precision that previous approaches could not attain.
"There was no 'eureka' moment. It was a cumulative process. Each experiment strengthened our confidence. However, when we observed our antibody binding to tumour tissue but not to healthy tissue, we understood the therapeutic potential of our invention," says Paula Videira.
Sustaining long-term cancer research
The research that led to L2A5 resulted from long-term academic work in cancer-associated glycobiology, a field known for its complexity and the difficulty of translating knowledge into clinical application. Progress required years of experimentation, refinement and validation, often with uncertain outcomes.
Despite these challenges, Paula Videira's team persisted, combining fundamental research with a clear vision of medical application and building partnerships with Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, the Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil (IPO) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The result is a patented antibody with high potential for use in cancer diagnostics and as the basis for targeted therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates.
"Our story could not have come from a single disciplinary area. In research, doubts sometimes arise, but when we share ideas, the energy becomes collective. We moved forward together," says Paula Videira. "Strong teams are built not only with people, but also with institutions — and having access to the right environment made all the difference."
Paula Videira and her team are one of three finalists in the "Research" category of the European Inventor Award 2026. The other finalists in this category are Adrian V.S. Hill, for a highly effective malaria vaccine, and Mikko Möttönen, for the cryogenic microwave sensor for quantum computing. The European Patent Office (EPO) will announce the winners at a ceremony broadcast live from Berlin on 2 July 2026.
Voting is now open. We invite the entire community to vote for Paula Videira by accessing the following link: https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/european-inventor-award#finalists
