Valo Therapeutics Acquires Technology from Helsinki University

Valo Therapeutics, a developer of neoantigen-coated oncolytic viruses as therapeutic vaccines, has acquired a technology from Helsinki University that is expected to broaden its approach and expand the capability of the company’s cancer vaccines platform, PeptiCRAd.

The university’s proprietary PeptiENV technology works by enabling neoantigen-peptides to coat enveloped viruses. In a previously published study, PeptiENV’s functionality was demonstrated when it was used in conjunction with oncolytic vaccinia virus and the herpes simplex virus. Data from the study denoted that, when compared with uncoated enveloped oncolytic viruses alone, viruses coated with the PeptiENV approach are more effective in the activation of a tumor-specific immune response against cancer cells.

“One of the biggest hurdles in the clinical use of cancer vaccination is being overcome through the ability to expose cancer cells to immune surveillance using checkpoint inhibitors,” explained Professor Vincenzo Cerullo, co-inventor of the PeptiENV technology with Dr Erkko Ylösmäki, in a Sep. 2, 2019 press release. “As the neoantigen field continues to explode, the focus is on the identification of potent adjuvants to enable the activation of a cancer specific CD8+ T cell response that is strong enough to completely clear cancer cells. Oncolytic viruses in combination with neoantigens are potent stimulators of an immune response and therefore make excellent adjuvants.”

Dr. Michael Stein, CEO of Valo Tx added: “We are excited by the potential of the PeptiENV technology to expand the capability of the PeptiCRAd cancer vaccination platform by enabling its application across enveloped viruses. This acquisition of novel intellectual property is a natural extension of our approach to develop new and improved therapeutic options for cancer patients.”

Source: Valo Tx