Rapid Clearance of Disease Targets from the Body
Advancing Therapies for Inflammation, and Beyond
Clear2Cure is a Rotterdam based biotech spin-off from Utrecht University, the Netherlands. We are developing Clearbodies®, a novel class of bispecific antibody-derived therapeutics. They are designed to capture disease targets and direct them the cell’s natural degradation system, the lysosome. Subsequently, the target is rapidly cleared for efficient and sustained therapeutic effects.
With our proprietary, modular platform, we are building a preclinical pipeline targeting diseases in the infection and immunity space that were previously considered undruggable or are poorly addressed by existing therapies. Our mission is to transform treatment options for patients facing severe infections, inflammatory disorders, and beyond.
A New Chapter in Targeted Protein Degradation
Targeted protein degradation is a powerful drug modality that entirely eliminates disease targets once considered undruggable. First-generation approaches are limited to targets within the cell, leaving circulating molecules like deregulated extracellular proteins unaddressed. Clear2Cure is closing this gap, extending protein degradation outside the cell.
Our research was initiated with a Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle HIV with an innovative idea. We achieved rapid viral target degradation, establishing a platform that now extends beyond viruses.
Clearbodies®
Clearbodies® are llama-derived VHH (variable heavy-chain) antibodies with two functional “heads”. One binds to the disease target, the other to an internalizing membrane protein. Our technology combines the best of two worlds—antibody precision and protein degradation—to rapidly destroy targets entirely without requiring to block them, all while bypassing immune activation for an improved safety profile.
Furthermore, compared to conventional antibodies, Clearbodies® offer distinct advantages due to their smaller size including:
+ Enhanced tissue penetration
+ Better access to hidden epitopes
+ Ability to degrade targets present at high concentrations
+ Greater structural stability
+ Lower immunogenicity
+ Faster development process
Conventional Antibody
Camelid Antibody
Clearbody®
How It Works
Clearbodies® capture disease targets that circulate outside the cell. One domain of the Clearbody® binds to the harmful molecule, while its second domain attaches to a widely expressed membrane protein, such as EGFR. This membrane protein is then rapidly internalized by the cell, carrying the disease target with it. Once inside, the natural turnover of the membrane protein directs the molecule to the lysosome, where it is degraded.
Our Versatile Toolbox
VHH antibodies provide a highly versatile toolbox for targeting a wide range of diseases. Their small size and modular nature allow each binding domain, or "head," to recognize different disease targets and membrane proteins. This flexibility enables the creation of bi-specifc, or even multi-specific, constructs that can simultaneously engage multiple targets, enhancing effectiveness in complex diseases.
Our Team
From the Netherlands to Boston, Clear2Cure’s team blends scientific expertise with commercial strategy, advancing the next generation of targeted protein degradation. As we continue to expand, we are inviting top talent to join our mission.
Jord Stam, PhD
Founder & CEO
Remco Spanjaard, PhD
CTO
Jasper van Berkel
COO
Samuel Feldmann
Co-Founder
Partner With Us
Clear2Cure’s straightforward Clearbody® platform allows the rapid development of therapies that directly degrade disease-causing molecules. Our technology enables the removal of virtually all circulating pathogenic molecules that can be targeted by conventional antibodies, including (bacterial) toxins, deregulated cytokines, and toxic protein aggregates. While we focus on our core targets, we invite academic and industry partners to collaborate in addressing critical unmet medical needs.
Interested in working together? Contact us at info@clear2cure.com