Matthias Gromeier
MD
IO
Istari Oncology
Istari Oncology develops Lerapolturev, an immune activator derived from the live attenuated Sabin type 1 oral polio vaccine, designed to enhance antitumor immunity in patients with solid tumors, including glioblastoma and melanoma. This therapy targets CD155, the poliovirus receptor present on most solid tumors, to stimulate a robust interferon-driven T cell response, addressing the limitations of existing immunotherapies.
- Biotechnology
Updated 7 months ago
Funding
Raised to date
$63.6MRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Funding rounds are not available yet.
Founders
Darell Bigner
MD
Product
Problem
Current cancer immunotherapies are often limited by the lack of pre-existing anticancer T cells or the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, hindering effective antitumor immunity in patients with solid tumors. Overcoming these challenges requires intervention at multiple points within the immune system to stimulate a robust anticancer response.
Solution
Istari Oncology is developing Lerapolturev, an immune activator based on the live attenuated Sabin type 1 oral polio vaccine, to enhance antitumor immunity in patients with solid tumors. Lerapolturev targets CD155, the poliovirus receptor present on most solid tumors, to stimulate a robust interferon-driven T cell response. By leveraging the memory response against polio, Lerapolturev amplifies the anticancer immune response, exhibiting direct antitumor cytotoxic effects and engaging antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the tumor microenvironment. This multifaceted approach aims to overcome the limitations of existing immunotherapies by activating antitumor immunity at multiple points.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with solid tumors, such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and bladder cancer, who are seeking novel immunotherapeutic approaches, as well as medical professionals involved in oncology research and treatment.
Features
- Based on the live attenuated Sabin type 1 oral polio vaccine, leveraging the established polio vaccination memory response
- Targets CD155, the poliovirus receptor, present on virtually all solid tumor types
- Stimulates a robust type-I/III interferon-dominant response required for anticancer T cell activation
- Administered intratumorally via convection-enhanced delivery
- Investigated in multiple ongoing phase 2 trials across various solid tumors, including recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), melanoma, and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
- Holds Orphan Drug and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) by the FDA
- Holds Orphan Drug Designation in advanced melanoma and Fast Track status for patients with advanced melanoma who have disease progression after anti–PD-1/L1 therapy