VacV Biotherapeutics has taken early steps toward the validation of its systemically deliverable Vaccinia virus, exiting stealth with $3 million to complete preclinical studies of its cancer immunotherapies.
Oncolytic viral therapy has the potential to both kill cancer cells and to sensitize solid tumors to checkpoint inhibitors. Many oncolytic viruses, including Amgen’s FDA-approved Imlygic, are injected directly into the tumor. In contrast, researchers have shown the immune-evasion capabilities of Vaccinia virus enable it to reach tumors after intravenous administration, suggesting it may be able to unlock systemic delivery.
VacV wants to put that idea to the test. Since spinning out of Barts Cancer Institute and Queen Mary University of London, the biotech has secured a $3 million investment from Proxima Ventures to wrap up preclinical studies and build out its team.
The team is engineering viruses to overcome the historical challenges faced by the modality, working to generate viruses with optimal payloads and backbones. Yaohe Wang, chief scientific officer at VacV, set out how the therapies could destroy tumors and activate anti-cancer immunity in a statement.
“Our approach focuses on stimulating the patient’s immune system to fight cancer through the delivery of immune-modulating payloads as well as the virus’ oncolytic activity. This expertly designed Vaccinia virus-based therapy allows for easy, intravenous administration whilst overcoming challenges of existing approaches, such as cancer vaccines, immuno-check point blockade and CAR-T/TCR-T cells,” Wang said.
VacV is initially focusing on refractory solid tumors including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma and metastatic colorectal cancer. The biotech has received support from the U.K.’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.