ELIAS Animal Health previously announced it has in-licensed an oncolytic vaccinia virus treatment for pet animals from Genelux Corporation. The agreement grants ELIAS the worldwide right to development and commercialization of V-VET1 for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer in veterinary medicine. Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about this agreement and what we plan to do with the technology.
What is V-VET1?
V-VET1 is Genelux Corporation’s clinical-stage animal health product candidate. It is a vaccinia viral strain that selectively replicates in cancer cells to ultimately cause cell death (apoptosis).
Who is Genelux Corporation?
Genelux is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a pipeline of next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies for human patients suffering from aggressive and/or difficult-to-treat solid tumor types. Learn more about Genelux and their technology at www.genelux.com.
What is an oncolytic virus?
An oncolytic virus is a virus that can infect and kill cancer cells, but not normal cells. The virus invades tumor cells and replicates, ultimately causing the tumor cell to die. Cell death occurs when the tumor cell bursts, and in this process the tumor antigen is exposed to the immune system. Once exposed to the tumor antigen, the immune system is activated.
In recent years, oncolytic viruses have been used in immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Genelux has completed seven Phase I & II clinical trials in humans with their oncolytic virus technology, and they are currently enrolling a Phase III ovarian cancer trial.
What will ELIAS do with the oncolytic virus?
ELIAS is planning clinical trials to evaluate and develop V-VET1 as a potential new immunotherapy option for veterinary oncologists. ELIAS plans to evaluate various treatment approaches with the oncolytic virus, including by using it on its own as well as in combination with the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®).