Theolytics Ltd

Theolytics is an Oxford-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing differentiated intravenous oncolytic immunotherapies for solid tumours. Its proprietary Adenovo platform applies natural selection from the world's largest adenovirus library to identify candidates with novel biology, using fresh patient tumours, blood and immune cells to let biology select the candidate.

Lead candidate THEO-260 combines three therapeutic mechanisms in a single agent: killing cancer cells, killing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and inducing anti-tumour immunity. CAFs help form the stromal barrier that excludes T cells and suppresses immunity in many solid tumours, and THEO-260 is designed to target it. Because it is delivered intravenously, it is designed to reach both primary and distant tumours.

THEO-260 is investigational and is not approved anywhere. It is in Phase 1 clinical development in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, through the OCTOPOD-IV (intravenous) and OCTOPOD-IP (intraperitoneal) trials, with an initial focus on ovarian cancer and potential to expand across stroma-rich solid tumours.

Theolytics originated from University of Oxford technology and is backed by Oxford Science Enterprises, Sound Bioventures, Taiho Ventures, M Ventures, Epidarex Capital and BGF. 

• Virology
• Oncology