Biotech Theolytics relocaties to ARC Oxford
Theolytics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies, has relocated to ARC Oxford, taking 5,500 SQF at the growing innovation campus. The company joins a thriving community of more than 30 science and technology organisations at ARC Oxford, including OMass Therapeutics, FluoRok, Seloxium and Perspectum, further strengthening the campus’ position as a hub for cutting-edge innovation.
Founded in 2017 as a spinout from the University of Oxford, Theolytics is working to develop best-in-class oncolytic immunotherapies for complex and difficult-to-treat solid tumours. Leveraging its proprietary Adenovo™ platform, the company has pioneered a new approach to develop efficacious, targeted adenoviral candidates suitable for direct and intravenous delivery targeting stroma-rich tumours, a feature of major cancers, including ovarian, colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer.
Theolytics’ lead candidate THEO-260 has demonstrated its effectiveness against such tumours by killing cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts that make up the stroma (or tumour microenvironment), while inducing tumour-targeted immune activation, in advanced preclinical models, including extensive panels of ovarian cancer patient samples. THEO-260 is being evaluated in two clinical trials in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: by intravenous (IV) delivery (OCTOPOD-IV) in the UK, Spain and Canada (NCT06618235); and by intraperitoneal (IP) delivery (OCTOPOD-IP) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US (NCT07211659).
Theolytics recently secured €8 million in funding from Horizon Europe 2025, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding programme, to advance its planned Phase 2 study of THEO-260 in ovarian cancer, marking a significant step forward in its clinical development pipeline.
Dan Williams, Director of Asset Management at ARC Oxford, said:
We’re delighted to welcome Theolytics to ARC Oxford. Their pioneering work in oncolytic immunotherapy represents the kind of high-impact, translational science our campuses are designed to support. This partnership demonstrates how our fully fitted laboratory buildings can support such advanced research and development facilities and we look forward to watching the Theolytics business grow on our campus at ARC Oxford.
David Apelian, CEO of Theolytics, added:
Relocating to ARC Oxford marks an exciting new chapter for Theolytics. We join a vibrant community of innovators in an environment that champions collaboration, inclusivity, and growth, supporting our mission to develop life-changing therapies for cancer patients. The new facility will be a central hub from which to drive the development of our lead oncolytic immunotherapy THEO-260, which is advancing in two clinical trials in advanced ovarian cancer, with sites in the US, UK, Spain and Canada. It provides the space to grow the company and an excellent scientific base to enhance our platform and generate exciting new immunotherapy candidates against other solid tumours.
As an ARC Oxford member, Theolytics will have access to a curated programme of campus events, from networking and in-depth talks to exercise classes and socials, alongside seminar and co-working spaces. ARC Oxford was recently named Responsible Employer of the Year at the Oxpropfest Awards, and Workspace of the Year at the Hustle Awards recognising the campus’ strong focus on customer service, inclusivity and commitment to reimagining how science and real estate intersect to foster collaboration, growth, and success for its member organisations.
