Biotech Company in Britain Secures $15 Million as Armed Virus Used for Cancer Treatment Begins Clinical Trials
The latest advancements in immuno-oncolytic virus technology are focusing on sophisticated engineering to improve tumor selectivity, immune stimulation, and combination therapy potential. Two pioneering examples of this trend are PsiOxus' NG-348 and Transgene's next-generation oncolytic virus for glioblastoma.
PsiOxus' NG-348: A Revolutionary Approach to Tumor Treatment
PsiOxus, a biotech company specializing in oncolytic virus technology, has developed NG-348 as a treatment for solid tumors, including glioblastoma. This oncolytic virus platform is designed to reprogram the tumor microenvironment by selectively infecting and killing tumor cells while expressing immune-stimulatory molecules that enhance antitumor immunity.
To further strengthen its immune-boosting capabilities, PsiOxus has armed NG-348 with transgenes encoding immune co-stimulatory ligands or cytokines, such as GM-CSF. This strategy aims to engage and activate both innate and adaptive immune responses, addressing tumor immune evasion. By leveraging synthetic biology advances, PsiOxus' viruses can carry immune-boosting transgenes, transforming "cold" tumors into immunologically active sites.
Transgene's Glioblastoma Virus: A Targeted Approach to Brain Tumors
Transgene's next-generation oncolytic virus for glioblastoma is designed to tackle the aggressive brain tumor by harnessing a carefully engineered virus backbone that can cross or target the central nervous system safely and effectively. Although specific molecular details are limited in recent reports, Transgene is developing vectors that improve tumor selectivity and carry payloads to stimulate antitumor immunity, including payload expression that may overcome the glioblastoma immunosuppressive microenvironment.
This strategy aligns with a broader effort to enhance oncolytic virus therapy for refractory tumors like glioblastoma by combining virotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other immune modulators to achieve systemic and durable responses.
Shared Advancements and Collaborations
Both PsiOxus and Transgene's developments share several key advancements, including arming oncolytic viruses with transgenes encoding cytokines or checkpoint inhibitor peptides to enhance immune activation and overcome local tumor immune suppression. Additionally, both companies are exploring combination therapies, such as pairing oncolytic viruses with checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T, or radiotherapy to boost systemic antitumor immunity and counter immune resistance.
Improved delivery techniques, such as intratumoral injection, optimized dosing, and multi-site administration, are also being developed to enhance virus distribution and reduce off-target effects. Finally, biomarker development for real-time monitoring of viral persistence, immune infiltration, and treatment response is being pursued to improve patient selection and efficacy assessment.
Commercial and Regulatory Trends
Recent regulatory and commercial trends are further facilitating the advancement of these technologies. Clinical trial harmonization and addressing manufacturing scale-up challenges are critical for translating promising preclinical platforms into approved therapies.
For instance, under a deal signed in December 2016, Bristol-Myers Squibb licensed PsiOxus' oncolytic virus technology and agreed to pay PsiOxus $15M (€13M) in milestones, with potential milestone payments rising to $936M (€795M) if the product's development and commercialization go well. PsiOxus aims to become the world's leading immuno-oncolytic company under the leadership of CEO John Beadle.
Transgene is also moving forward with its Phase I/IIa trial for its 'next generation' oncolytic virus against glioblastoma. Oryx biotech has also tested its ParvOryx virus against glioblastoma and will investigate it as part of a combination therapy.
In summary, PsiOxus' NG-348 and Transgene's glioblastoma virus represent next-generation immuno-oncolytic viruses that leverage engineered viral backbones and immune-modulating transgenes to improve safety, tumor specificity, and efficacy, particularly by reshaping the tumor microenvironment and synergizing with other immunotherapies. These developments reflect the field-wide push to integrate oncolytic viruses into multi-modal, personalized cancer immunotherapy regimens.
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- The cutting-edge advancements in gene therapy through oncolytic virus technology, exemplified by PsiOxus' NG-348 and Transgene's next-generation virus for glioblastoma, are revolutionizing healthcare and wellness by focusing on science-driven solutions for medical-conditions like cancer.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, biotech companies like PsiOxus and Transgene are employing technology to produce virotherapies that not only target tumors selectively but also stimulate the immune system for improved treatment outcomes against refractory tumors like glioblastoma.
- The future of immuno-oncolytic therapy is being shaped through partnerships with established companies, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, and continuous advancements in technology and science, ensuring potent and personalized cancer treatments of the future.
