Pilatus Biosciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company pioneering metabolic checkpoint immunotherapies for liver and gastrointestinal cancers, announced the issuance of its foundational patent in Europe and Australia titled “Methods for Modulating Regulatory T Cells and Inhibiting Tumor Growth.”
This milestone marks a major step forward in the company’s mission to reshape cancer treatment through immune metabolism modulation. The patent, exclusively licensed to Pilatus from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) Ltd and the University of Lausanne, is based on the groundbreaking research of Dr. Ping-Chih Ho’s laboratory at the Ludwig Lausanne Branch. It provides broad global protection for Pilatus’ first-in-class antibody program targeting CD36, a critical metabolic checkpoint that governs the function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment.
A Foundational Patent for Metabolic Immunotherapy
The newly granted patent establishes intellectual property coverage for modulating Treg activity via metabolic reprogramming, representing a pioneering approach in next-generation immuno-oncology. Pilatus’ antibody program focuses on CD36, a fatty acid transporter highly expressed on Tregs that enables them to thrive in the harsh, nutrient-depleted conditions typical of solid tumors.
Under normal physiological conditions, Tregs play an essential role in maintaining immune balance and preventing autoimmune responses. However, in the context of cancer, these same cells are hijacked by tumors to suppress effector T cell activity—effectively shielding cancer cells from immune attack.
CD36 serves as a metabolic lifeline for these Tregs, facilitating lipid uptake that fuels their survival and suppressive function. By blocking this pathway, Pilatus’ antibody disrupts the tumor’s ability to maintain immune tolerance, reinvigorating the body’s natural anti-tumor immunity without inducing systemic autoimmunity.
“This patent issuance represents a cornerstone achievement for Pilatus,” said Dr. Raven Lin, Co-Founder and CEO of Pilatus Biosciences. “It solidifies our leadership in the emerging field of metabolic checkpoint immunotherapy and validates years of collaboration with world-class scientists. By targeting the metabolic dependencies of regulatory T cells, we’re unlocking a new therapeutic paradigm designed to enhance and extend the benefits of immunotherapy.”
The Science Behind CD36: Reprogramming the Tumor Immune Microenvironment
Dr. Ping-Chih Ho’s research has been instrumental in identifying CD36 as a key regulator of Treg metabolism and function. His team’s work revealed that Tregs within tumors rely on lipid metabolism, mediated by CD36, to sustain their immunosuppressive activity in hypoxic and nutrient-deprived environments.
By blocking CD36 signaling, Pilatus’ investigational antibodies can selectively impair Treg function in the tumor without compromising their systemic regulatory roles in healthy tissues. This precision immunometabolic approach offers a significant safety advantage compared to traditional Treg-depleting therapies, which can cause widespread immune dysregulation.
“Our CD36 discoveries bridge the gap between metabolic control and immune suppression,” said Dr. Ping-Chih Ho, Full Professor and Member at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne. “This work lays the foundation for a new generation of immunotherapies that rewire the tumor immune microenvironment for lasting therapeutic benefit.”
A Timely Milestone in a Transformative Field
The patent announcement coincides with a historic moment in biomedical science: the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discoveries in Regulatory T cell biology, emphasizing the global importance of immune regulation as a cornerstone of health and disease.
Notably, Prof. Shimon Sakaguchi, one of the Nobel Laureates and the scientist who first identified Tregs, was a keynote speaker at the Ho Lab Anniversary Symposium in Lausanne, where he discussed “Targeting Tregs for Cancer Immunotherapy.”
“The recognition of Treg biology by the Nobel Committee highlights how central immune regulation has become to modern medicine,” added Dr. Ho. “Our work on CD36 extends that legacy, connecting metabolic pathways to immune control and paving the way for transformative treatments in oncology and beyond.”
Positioning Pilatus as a Leader in Metabolic Checkpoint Immunotherapy
Pilatus Biosciences’ CD36-targeted antibody program is the first of its kind to translate Treg metabolic modulation into a therapeutic strategy for solid tumors. The company’s preclinical data demonstrate that blocking CD36 can restore effector T cell activation and enhance anti-tumor immune responses, with synergistic potential alongside PD-1 inhibitors—a mainstay of modern immunotherapy.
“This foundational IP positions Pilatus at the forefront of the next wave of cancer immunotherapy,” said Dr. Lin. “Traditional checkpoint inhibitors, like PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockers, revolutionized oncology by releasing the brakes on effector T cells. Our approach adds a new dimension by targeting the metabolic checkpoints that empower regulatory T cells to suppress those same immune responses. Together, these mechanisms can unleash more potent and durable tumor regression.”
Looking Ahead
With patents now secured in both Europe and Australia, Pilatus is advancing its CD36 antibody program toward clinical development. The company’s long-term vision is to expand its pipeline of metabolic checkpoint inhibitors to address additional cancers characterized by strong immunosuppressive microenvironments, including pancreatic, colorectal, and hepatocellular carcinomas.
Beyond oncology, the science behind CD36 modulation holds promise for other immune-mediated conditions where metabolic imbalance and immune suppression intersect, potentially broadening Pilatus’ impact across multiple therapeutic areas.
A New Era in Immuno-Metabolism
As cancer immunotherapy continues to evolve, metabolic reprogramming is emerging as a crucial lever for improving patient outcomes. Pilatus Biosciences’ work exemplifies how the next generation of treatments will go beyond simply activating immune cells—toward reengineering the metabolic and regulatory networks that define tumor immunity.
By securing foundational global patents and advancing CD36-targeted innovation, Pilatus is well-positioned to lead the transformation of immuno-oncology into the metabolic age, unlocking new hope for patients with some of the most treatment-resistant cancers.
