Our technology platform represents a novel approach to target a broad range of solid tumors using virus-like particles, or VLPs, derived from the human papillomavirus (HPV) that are designed to enable their use as oncology therapeutics. Our VLPs can be loaded or conjugated with drugs creating a new class of targeted therapies.
Modified tumor-associated glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs, are a large family of molecules found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and on the membranes of cancer cells. Tumors specifically modify GAGs with key sulfation motifs that provide high binding specificity to a number of ligands (e.g., growth factors and cytokines). Modified tumor-associated GAGs are key players in cancer cell biology and regulate many aspects of tumor progression, including proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Our VLPs selectively bind to a unique sulfation pattern in modified tumor-associated GAGs, which is not found in normal cells.
VDCs are a novel class of drugs with a dual mechanism of action that promotes cancer cell death by both the delivery of the cytotoxic payload to generate acute necrosis and by activating a secondary immune mediated response. We believe that our VDC platform has the potential to serve as a backbone for a broad portfolio of targeted oncology therapeutics.
DELIVERY
A single VDC can deliver hundreds of cytotoxic molecules conjugated to its capsid proteins.
GAG DRIVEN TUMOR TARGETING
Based on the ability of VLPs to bind to a subset of modified tumor associated GAGs present on many tumor types, VDCs have the potential to be used broadly across a wide range of cancers without binding to normal cells, limiting off-target toxicity.
BINDING
The VDCs have a high number of modified tumor associated GAG binding sites, and this multi-valency permits the strong and selective binding to tumor cells.
DUAL MOA
VDCs have a dual mechanism of action, first by acute necrosis of the tumor cells, and subsequently by creating a highly immunogenic milieu that induces an antitumor specific immune response leading to a more robust and durable therapy.
