OncoSenX develops transient gene therapies that utilize a novel Proteo-Lipid Vehicle to deliver plasmid DNA, inducing apoptosis in transcriptionally active cancer cells. This targeted approach aims to treat solid tumors with reduced side effects, providing a less invasive alternative to traditional cancer therapies.
Funding
$34.8M raised to dateRaised 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.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current cancer therapies often lack specificity, leading to significant side effects due to damage to healthy tissues. Traditional approaches may also fail to address the underlying genetic factors driving tumor growth, resulting in incomplete remission or recurrence.
Solution
OncoSenX is developing targeted gene therapies for solid tumors using a Proteo-Lipid Vehicle (PLV) to deliver plasmid DNA that induces apoptosis specifically in transcriptionally active cancer cells. The PLV system delivers a non-integrating DNA plasmid encoding an inducible death protein under the control of a promoter active in the target cell population. This approach allows for precise targeting of cancer cells based on their genetic activity, minimizing harm to adjacent healthy cells. The PLV has demonstrated low immunogenicity and toxicity in preclinical studies.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with solid tumors who are seeking less invasive and more targeted treatment options, as well as oncologists and researchers focused on developing advanced cancer therapies.
Features
- Proteo-Lipid Vehicle (PLV) for efficient delivery of DNA plasmids to cancer cells.
- DNA plasmids encoding inducible death proteins under the control of cancer-specific promoters.
- Logic gate implementation (IF/OR/AND) for precise targeting of cell populations based on genetic activity.
- Demonstrated non-immunogenicity and low toxicity of PLV in preclinical models.
- Mechanism of action induces apoptosis via caspase 9 activation.