Omnis Pharma, Magnis merge to form clinical-stage oncolytic immunovirotherapy development firm

The combined company’s pipeline features eight oncolytic virotherapies in clinical development, seven in late-stage preclinical development and validated oncolytic virotherapy platforms.

The merger consolidates two oncolytic platforms, an intellectual property portfolio, a collaborative research and development network, and a clinical-stage product pipeline that spans the cancer spectrum.

Vyriad president and CEO Stephen Russell said: "Given our broad clinical and advanced preclinical portfolio, product development engine, and scientific capabilities, I firmly believe that Vyriad is on course to become the leading oncolytic virotherapy company creating powerful new immunotherapies for patients with cancer."

Vyriad has collaborated with Profectus BioSciences to develop oncolytic vesiculovirus vaccines to treat advanced-stage cancers.

Both the firms will combine and use their respective recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-derived oncolytic and vaccine platform technologies to develop novel cancer drugs.

The drugs will selectively destroy tumor cells and boost patients’ immune systems to continue killing any residual cancer cells that could withstand the first virus attack.

Vyriad will be responsible for program implementation. The initial program starting human clinical trials is anticipated in 2017.

Vyriad’s oncolytic immunovirotherapy products are based on its engineered Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) and Oncolytic Measles Virus platforms that allow selective destruction of cancer cells without harming normal tissues.