Virogin Biotech develops oncolytic HSV-1 viruses and mRNA-based therapeutics to generate robust anti-tumor immune responses against solid tumors. Their dual-platform approach enhances the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, with candidates currently in clinical trials and preclinical stages.
Funding
$301M 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.
CLFounders
Product
Problem
Solid tumors often evade the body's immune system, limiting the effectiveness of traditional cancer treatments. Generating a robust and durable anti-tumor immune response against these tumors remains a significant challenge in oncology. Current immunotherapies may not be effective for all patients or tumor types due to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.
Solution
Virogin Biotech is developing a dual-platform approach that combines oncolytic virotherapy and mRNA-based therapeutics to enhance cancer immunotherapy. The company's lead platform utilizes innovative HSV-1 based oncolytic viruses engineered to selectively replicate in and lyse cancer cells, releasing tumor-associated antigens and stimulating an immune response. This is complemented by an mRNA platform, including self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), designed to further boost the anti-tumor immune response. Virogin's heterologous prime-boost strategy leverages the strengths of both platforms to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and generate a more effective and durable systemic anti-tumor immunity. The oncolytic virus platform has multiple candidates in clinical trials, and the mRNA platform has completed preclinical proof of concept.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), who have failed standard therapies, as well as medical professionals seeking innovative cancer immunotherapies.
Features
- HSV-1 based oncolytic viruses with enhanced anti-tumor immunity
- Proprietary transcription-translation dual-regulation viral backbone to enhance oncolytic activity and safety
- Ability to deliver multiple synergistic exogenous genes
- mRNA platform with a proprietary delivery system supporting both traditional and self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA)
- Prime-boost strategy combining oncolytic viruses and mRNA vaccines for synergistic activation of anti-tumor immunity
- Oncolytic viruses can be administered through intratumoral or intravenous injection
- VG161: First-generation oncolytic virus product with Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA
- VG201: Advanced non-attenuated HSV-1 oncolytic virus product based on transcription-translation dual regulation (TTDR)