cancer immunotherapy Archives - ELIAS Animal Health

New Study Data on Chemo-Immunotherapy Approach Using the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) to Treat Bone Cancer in Dogs Demonstrates Improved Outcomes

LENEXA, Kan., June 19, 2025 – ELIAS Animal Health, a leading companion animal cancer therapeutics company, today announced interim results from an ongoing clinical study evaluating ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), a USDA-approved autologous prescription product, combined with chemotherapy for treatment of osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer in dogs. The interim analysis, presented at the 2025 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum in Louisville, KY, demonstrated that combining the initial cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy with the targeted immune-mediated response stimulated by ECI® has the potential to enhance overall response and survival rates in canine cancer patients. The oral abstract presentation, “Adoptive Cell Therapy with Chemotherapy Improves Canine Osteosarcoma Outcomes Compared to Standard of Care Chemotherapy,” was presented by Jeffrey N Bryan, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM(O), Professor of Oncology and Associate Director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at the University of Missouri. The combined therapeutic approach showed [...]

jwiley2025-06-19T12:22:31-06:00June 19th, 2025|

ELIAS Animal Health Receives Approval from USDA for the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), First-In-Class Treatment for Canine Osteosarcoma

LENEXA, Kan., Mar. 19, 2025 -- ELIAS Animal Health, a leading companion animal cancer therapeutics company, today announced its adoptive cell therapy, ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two and represents a significant unmet medical need in veterinary medicine, with an estimated 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer each year. ECI®, the first autologous prescription product to receive USDA-CVB approval, is indicated for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma, a deadly form of bone cancer. Large and giant breed dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Greyhounds, Labradors and German Shepherds, are at higher risk of developing this cancer. ECI® works by first conditioning the immune system to recognize a patient’s unique cancer and then delivering an army of activated killer T cells to target and [...]

Tammie Wahaus, CEO & Founder2025-05-23T12:58:33-06:00March 19th, 2025|

ELIAS Animal Health Announces Apheresis Partnership with CTAC, Expanding Access to Cancer Immunotherapy in Southeast U.S.

LENEXA, Kan., Feb. 13, 2025 -- In alignment with our commitment to expand access to innovative veterinary cancer care across the country, ELIAS Animal Health is excited to announce that the Canine Transplant and Apheresis Center (CTAC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee is now providing apheresis services to veterinary patients undergoing the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®). CTAC is located inside the Pullen Cancer Center at VCSG. ECI® is an adoptive cell therapy that harnesses the dog’s own immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. Apheresis is a critical step in the ECI® treatment protocol, which is a one-time procedure used to collect primed immune cells for activation and expansion. This new partnership enables broader access for veterinarians and pet owners interested in pursuing ECI® to treat cancer in dogs in the southeast region of the United States. Questions about treatment and patient referrals should be directed to ELIAS Animal Health. The decision [...]

jwiley2025-02-13T15:26:35-06:00February 13th, 2025|

ELIAS Animal Health Conducting Limb-Sparing Canine Osteosarcoma Clinical Study with Grant from Morris Animal Foundation

LENEXA, Kan., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ELIAS Animal Health, a clinical stage development company advancing novel treatments for cancer in companion animals, has initiated a new study evaluating the company’s adoptive T cell therapy—the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®)—in combination with a novel adjuvant as a limb-sparing treatment for large-breed dogs suffering from appendicular osteosarcoma. The study, which is funded by a grant from Morris Animal Foundation, will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Jeffrey Bryan and Dr. Megan Mickelson at the University of Missouri. “For dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma, amputation of the affected limb followed by chemotherapy is the typical standard of care. However, in certain cases amputation may not be appropriate,” said ELIAS Chief Medical Officer Noe Reyes, DVM. “In this study, we’re evaluating a new approach where the dog is treated with the limb-sparing surgery followed by ECI® immunotherapy.” The study will assess the safety and efficacy [...]

jwiley2024-07-31T07:12:52-06:00July 31st, 2024|

ELIAS Animal Health Appoints Chief Revenue Officer; Launches Fundraising Round to Support Commercialization and Development of Innovative Canine Cancer Therapies

Experienced executive will lead launch of the first USDA-approved immunotherapy for the treatment of bone cancer in dogs OLATHE, Kan., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ELIAS Animal Health, a leading companion animal cancer therapeutics company, today announced the appointment of Brian Segebrecht as Chief Revenue Officer in anticipation of the impending product approval of the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) in Q4. Segebrecht joins the ELIAS leadership team after recently leading Sentrx Animal Care as CEO to a point of exit in 2023. At ELIAS, he will lead the commercialization of the company’s first-in-class adoptive cell therapy, as well as drive new business partnerships for the expanding product pipeline at ELIAS. “Brian’s track record of transforming commercial strategy and building value for shareholders make him the perfect fit as we move closer to the regulatory approval of ECI® in Q4 of 2024,” said Tammie Wahaus, CEO of ELIAS Animal Health. “His leadership [...]

jwiley2024-07-17T12:35:48-06:00April 10th, 2024|

USDA Agrees Clinical Trial Data for the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) Demonstrates Reasonable Expectation of Efficacy for the Treatment of Bone Cancer in Dogs

First-in-class adoptive cell therapy for treatment of osteosarcoma, a deadly form of bone cancer in dogs OLATHE, Kan., Jan. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ELIAS Animal Health, a leading companion animal cancer therapeutics company, today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics has determined that the data from the company’s ECI-OSA-04 pivotal combined safety and efficacy study demonstrated a reasonable expectation of efficacy, a critical milestone in the licensure pathway. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two and represents a significant unmet medical need in veterinary medicine. This two-arm field safety and efficacy study (n=100) is one of the largest clinical trials conducted in canine cancer and the first of its kind to evaluate a state-of-the-art adoptive cell therapy as a treatment for cancer in dogs. The ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) works by conditioning the immune system to recognize a patient’s [...]

jwiley2024-02-27T19:07:55-06:00January 17th, 2024|

New Clinical Trial Will Evaluate Combination Therapy to Treat Canine Lymphoma

After successfully concluding a clinical trial for canine osteosarcoma, ELIAS Animal Health is focused on continuing to push forward in the fight against cancer with a new clinical trial involving combination therapy to treat lymphoma in dogs. The pilot study, which is currently underway, will evaluate ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) in combination with VCAA (L- asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin) chemotherapy to treat lymphoma in dogs. All trial participants will be treated at a single investigator site for this preliminary study. Prevalence of Lymphoma in Dogs Canine lymphoma is a fairly common type of cancer in dogs. In an article published by VCA Animal Hospitals, authors Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH and Catherine Barnette, DVM the disease accounts “for 15-20% of new cancer diagnoses in dogs. It is most common in middle-aged and older dogs, and several breeds are predisposed...” Overview of the Clinical Trial Protocol for Canine Lymphoma Patients [...]

Tammie Wahaus, CEO & Founder2023-11-02T13:40:15-06:00November 2nd, 2023|

Pet Cancer Awareness Month and the One Health Connection

Pets bring us immense joy and companionship, making them cherished members of our families. However, just like humans, they too can be affected by cancer. Pet Cancer Awareness Month, observed throughout November, is a reminder of the importance of early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer in our animal companions. Fittingly, it coincides with One Health Day on November 3, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and animal health, and the environment we share. Cancer Can Happen to Pets Too Cancer is a complex and devastating disease that can affect any breed, age, or species of pet. Just like in humans, pet cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that can spread to other parts of the body. The most common types of cancer found in dogs include lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma (bone cancer), while cats are often prone to lymphoma, mammary cancer, and oral cancers. [...]

jwiley2023-10-31T12:32:43-06:00October 31st, 2023|

ECI®: What to Expect During the T Cell Infusion

The ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) is an alternative treatment option to chemotherapy for certain types of canine cancer. ECI is a two-step sequential and interdependent protocol. Step 1 involves priming the patient’s immune system with a personalized vaccine that stimulates an immune response. Step 2 is the activation, expansion and reinfusion of the patient’s cancer antigen-specific T cells which can travel to and attack the cancer cells in the dog’s body. We’re often asked if patients can receive only the vaccines, without T cell infusion. Both steps are essential and play different roles in treatment. Stimulating the immune system isn’t enough to eliminate cancer. The vaccine step primes the immune system to create T cells that can specifically recognize the cancer cells. In the second step of the treatment protocol, these T cells are collected from the blood, and then functionally activated and numerically expanded in the laboratory. Once [...]

jwiley2022-11-17T19:36:13-06:00November 16th, 2022|

ELIAS Animal Health Research Demonstrates Cancer-Killing Capabilities of Its Activated T Cell Immunotherapy

In vitro study of the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) showed personalized T cell immunotherapy initiated a significant immune response against target cancer cells. OLATHE, Kan., August 10, 2022 -- ELIAS Animal Health recently presented new mechanism of action data for the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) at the 2022 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. ECI is an adoptive cell therapy that stimulates a patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancers. ECI uses a personalized vaccine made from a patient’s own cancer cells to “prime” the immune cells to recognize the cancer. These primed immune cells—which are collected from the patient through a procedure called apheresis—are activated and expanded ex vivo for reinfusion into the patient, where they travel to the cancer cells and attack them. In vitro study demonstrates how vaccine-primed T cells mount an immune response against cancer cells [...]

jwiley2022-12-12T13:42:11-06:00August 10th, 2022|