Clovertex's February Target of the Month is the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor that...
Clovertex’s September 2025 Target of the Month is LGR5, in light of Genmab’s announcement that it will acquire Merus primarily to secure a late-stage bispecific antibody that binds LGR5 (alongside EGFR).
LGR5 (leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein–coupled receptor 5) is a marker of adult stem cells and plays a role in Wnt signaling and epithelial tissue maintenance. In cancer biology, LGR5 has emerged as a tumor-associated antigen, particularly relevant in solid tumors where it may help distinguish malignant from normal tissue and facilitate targeted delivery of therapies.
Genmab’s acquisition secures full control over petosemtamab, now entering Phase 3 trials for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. By co-targeting EGFR and LGR5, the drug is designed to improve tumor selectivity, reduce off-target effects, and enhance receptor downregulation. Phase 2 results showed strong survival signals, especially when used alongside checkpoint inhibitors. For Genmab, the $8 billion all-cash deal is a move toward a more proprietary pipeline and reduced reliance on partnered assets. For the field, it reinforces how newer targets like LGR5 can find clinical relevance when integrated into next-gen antibody formats.
The Protein Imager rendering displays the AlphaFold prediction of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (AlphaFold Database entry O75473).
About Clovertex
Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.
Useful links
1. Genmab pays $8B to buy Merus and its phase 3 bispecific that wowed analysts
2. Clovertex website
