12 May 2026
NOVA researcher Paula Videira finalist for the 2026 European Inventor Award for innovation in cancer detection
Accurately distinguishing cancer cells from healthy tissue remains one of the major challenges in oncology, limiting the effectiveness of both diagnosis and treatment. Glycobiology researcher Paula Videira, Full Professor at the 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 up new possibilities for more selective diagnostics and cancer therapies. For this work, Paula Videira and her team have been selected by an independent jury as finalists in the “Researcher” category of the 2026 European Inventor Award.
Distinguishing tumour cells from healthy tissue
Cancer remains one of the most serious public health challenges in Europe. According to the European Commission, around 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 among people under the age of 65.
One of the main difficulties in cancer diagnosis and treatment is the identification of molecular features that clearly distinguish tumour cells from healthy tissue. Cancer cells often display altered sugar molecules, known as glycans, on their surface. Although these glycans can act as disease markers, similar structures may also be present on normal cells, making it extremely difficult to act selectively without damaging healthy tissue.
Videira’s team addressed 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 were unable to reach.
“There was no ‘eureka’ moment. It was a cumulative process. Each experiment reinforced our confidence. However, when we observed our antibody binding to tumour tissue but not to healthy tissue, we realised 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 the field of cancer-associated glycobiology, an area known for its complexity and the difficulty of translating knowledge into practical applications. Progress required years of experimentation, optimisation and validation, often with uncertain outcomes.
Despite these challenges, Paula Videira’s team persisted, combining fundamental research with a clear vision for medical application and establishing partnerships with the NOVA University of Lisbon, the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil (IPO), and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The result is a patented antibody with high potential for use in cancer diagnosis and as a basis for targeted therapies, including antibody–drug conjugates.
“Our story could not have emerged from a single disciplinary area. In research, doubts often arise, but when we share ideas, the energy becomes collective. We kept moving 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 2026 European Inventor Award. The European Patent Office (EPO) will announce the winners at a ceremony broadcast live from Berlin on 2 July 2026.
In addition to the main categories, the Public Prize will be awarded based on a combined vote by the public and an independent jury. Public voting opens today, 12 May 2026, and runs until the award ceremony on 2 July 2026. We invite you to cast your vote [here].