The startup develops targeted biologics that utilize oncolytic immunotherapy to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines for solid tumors. This approach aims to overcome immune tolerance, providing patients with more effective treatment options for various cancer types.
Funding
$20.9M 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
Many solid tumors develop resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines due to immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment. This resistance limits the effectiveness of these therapies, leaving patients with fewer treatment options.
Solution
Seneca Therapeutics is developing targeted oncolytic immunotherapies designed to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines in solid tumors. Their primary asset, SVV-001, is an oncolytic virus that selectively replicates in tumor cells expressing the TEM8 receptor, while remaining non-pathogenic in humans and animals. SVV-001 converts the tumor microenvironment from T-cell resistant ("cold") to T-cell permissive ("hot"), synergizing with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other cancer agents to significantly benefit cancer patients. The company is also developing armed viruses with immunomodulatory transgenes to target difficult-to-treat solid tumor indications, as well as approaches to evade neutralizing antibodies for successful intravenous administration of SVV-001.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes cancer patients with solid tumors that are resistant or poorly responsive to existing immunotherapies, as well as oncologists and researchers seeking to improve treatment outcomes in these challenging cancers.
Features
- SVV-001 oncolytic virus selectively targets and replicates in TEM8-expressing tumor cells.
- Non-pathogenic in humans and animals, ensuring safety.
- Converts the tumor microenvironment to enhance T-cell activity.
- Synergizes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other cancer agents.
- Armed viruses with immunomodulatory transgenes in pre-clinical development.
- Companion diagnostic tool predicts SVV-001 infection sensitivity with high precision.
- Developing methods to evade neutralizing antibodies for intravenous administration.