Theolytics, an Oxford, UK-based biotechnology company developing oncolytic viral therapies, raised £19M in funding.
Backers included Sound Bioventures, which joined M Ventures, Taiho Ventures, Epidarex Capital, Oxford Science Enterprises and the University of Oxford.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its lead oncolytic adenovirus – THEO-260 – into clinical trials in ovarian cancer.
Led by CEO Charlotte Casebourne Stock, Theolytics is working to develop oncolytic viral therapies suitable for systemic intravenous delivery. The company is focused on the advancement of its lead program THEO-260 into the clinic with plans to provide better outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer, for whom current treatment options are limited.
THEO-260 is a next-generation oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of (platinum-resistant) ovarian cancer. It is highly efficacious in killing cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in ovarian cancer patient tumour samples. The destruction of cancer-associated fibroblasts, in addition to cancer cells, is a potentially differentiating feature of THEO-260 as cancer-associated fibroblasts in stromal-rich tumours are a barrier to the effectiveness of many cancer treatments. THEO-260 is being explored as a therapeutic for intravenous and intraperitoneal delivery.
Additional pipeline programs in preclinical development include novel candidates developed for colorectal cancer and hematological malignancies where there remains significant unmet need.
FinSMEs
17/04/2024