Neogap Therapeutics AB, a Swedish biotechnology company that develops personalized immunotherapy for cancer, has contributed to a new study published in the scientific journal Cell. The study sheds light on how Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) can be linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) and provides new insight into a question that has long been central to MS research.
In the study ”Anoctamin-2-specific T cells link Epstein–Barr virus to multiple sclerosis” shows how some T cells activated by the Epstein–Barr virus – a common herpes virus – can also react against a protein in the central nervous system. The researchers identify an immunological mechanism that helps explain the connection between EBV infection and the development of MS.
The study describes the first mechanistic evidence for how EBV-specific CD4⁺ T cells can target the MS autoantigen ANO2, thereby establishing an immunological link between EBV infection and neuroinflammation. The work has been led by professor Tomas Olsson, with assistant lecturer Olivia Thomas as first author. Both are active at the department of clinical neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet. The research is the result of extensive academic collaboration.
Neogap has participated in the study by using a method to detect antigen-specific T cells, originally developed by Associate Professor Hans Grönlund’s research group at Karolinska Institutet. Hans Grönlund, CSO and founder of Neogap Therapeutics, is one of the study’s senior authors. Several Neogap-affiliated co-authors also participate in the study.
In the work, antigen-linked particles have been used for the analysis of very specific T-cell responses linked to the central research question. The methodology is based on principles that underlie Neogap’s EpiTCs®-technology.
The results provide a deeper understanding of T-cell-driven mechanisms in autoimmune diseases and build on previous research where Neogap’s technology has enabled the identification and characterization of autoantigens in MS as well as insights into the connection between EBV and the disease. The study shows how Neogap’s patented technology and IP can be used in advanced, independent research even outside the company’s own development programs.
EpiTCer® – Neogap technology for precise analysis of T-cell responses
EpiTCer® is Neogap’s patented technology for identifying and analyzing highly specific T-cell responses. The technology is based on controlled presentation of selected antigens and enables the study of rare, antigen-specific T cells with high sensitivity. EpiTCs® is used both in Neogap’s own development programs and in academic collaborations, which shows the platform’s broad applicability and long-term relevance in immunology.
“That our technology is used in research that is published in Cell is a clear proof of its scientific quality. For Neogap, this is a step in building a long-term relevant technology and IP platform, where strong academic collaborations are a central part,” says Samuel Svensson, CEO of Neogap Therapeutics.
Publication reference:
Thomas O. et al. Anoctamin-2-specific T cells link Epstein–Barr virus to multiple sclerosis.
Cell (2026).
Co-authors from Neogap: Hans Grönlund, Guro Gafvelin, Birce Akpinar and Ola Nilsson.
Press release from Karolinska Institutet:
New mechanism links Epstein–Barr virus to MS
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Project reference number: 190185439 – NEOpTTL. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
For more information, please contact:
Samuel Svensson, CEO
Tfn: +46 733 54 21 94
Email: samuel.svensson@neogap.se
Om Neogap Therapeutics
Neogap Therapeutics is a Swedish biotechnology company in the clinical phase that develops an individually tailored immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer using the patient’s own cells. The therapy is based on the company’s two PIOR technologies® and EpiTCs®. WORSE® is an advanced software that uses DNA sequencing data from the patient and machine learning to select tumor-specific mutations. EpiTCs are then used® to increase the T cells that can recognize the selected tumor-specific target structures. Neogap is located at the Karolinska Cancer Center in Stockholm. For more information about Neogap and its innovative research, visit neogap.se and follow Neogap on LinkedIn.
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