KaliVir to Present at 2025 AACR Annual Meeting
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of advanced oncolytic immunotherapies, has announced its participation in the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. The event, scheduled to take place from April 25-30, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, will provide a platform for leading oncology researchers and biotechnology firms to present groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment. KaliVir will showcase a poster presentation detailing the mechanism and clinical potential of its novel oncolytic immunotherapy, VET3-TGI.
VET3-TGI: A Next-Generation Oncolytic Immunotherapy
VET3-TGI is an innovative oncolytic immunotherapy designed to selectively target and destroy tumor cells while simultaneously stimulating the immune system to mount an effective anti-tumor response. The therapy leverages the company’s proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET™) platform, which enables systemic delivery and optimized tumor targeting. A key feature of VET3-TGI is its ability to express an immuno-stimulatory transgene payload, consisting of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibitor. This dual-action approach aims to enhance the immune response against tumors and counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.
Poster Presentation Details
The company’s poster presentation at the AACR Annual Meeting will provide in-depth insights into the mechanisms by which VET3-TGI’s TGF-beta inhibitor and IL-12 payload synergize to improve therapeutic outcomes. The presentation details are as follows:
- Presentation Title: Mechanisms of Synergy Between TGF-beta Inhibitor and IL-12 Expression from the Systemically Deliverable Clinical Oncolytic Immunotherapy VET3-TGI
- Abstract Number: 484
- Session Date & Time: Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM
- Presenter: Stephen Thorne, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
The Science Behind VET3-TGI
Oncolytic immunotherapy represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment by leveraging genetically engineered viruses to selectively infect and lyse tumor cells. VET3-TGI is based on the vaccinia virus backbone, a well-established platform with high safety and efficacy profiles. Unlike traditional cancer therapies, which often come with severe systemic side effects, oncolytic viruses provide a highly targeted approach that minimizes damage to healthy cells while amplifying the body’s natural immune response.
IL-12 is a potent cytokine known to enhance the activation of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, key components of the immune system’s anti-tumor response. However, systemic administration of IL-12 has historically been associated with severe toxicities. By engineering VET3-TGI to locally express IL-12 within the tumor microenvironment, KaliVir aims to harness the benefits of IL-12 while mitigating its toxic effects.
Similarly, the TGF-beta inhibitor incorporated in VET3-TGI plays a crucial role in counteracting the immunosuppressive mechanisms employed by tumors. TGF-beta is a signaling molecule that tumors use to evade immune detection and suppress immune cell activity. By inhibiting this pathway, VET3-TGI enhances immune cell infiltration into tumors, thereby improving the effectiveness of the anti-tumor immune response.
Clinical Development and Strategic Partnerships
KaliVir is at the forefront of oncolytic immunotherapy development, with multiple candidates in its pipeline. The company’s proprietary VET™ platform enables the creation of optimized oncolytic vaccinia candidates that can be systemically delivered and selectively target tumors. VET3-TGI represents a major advancement in this field and is currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors.
In addition to its internally developed candidates, KaliVir has established strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Astellas Pharma and Roche. Through these partnerships, KaliVir is working to accelerate the clinical development and commercialization of its oncolytic immunotherapy candidates. One such product, ASP1012, is an oncolytic virus developed using the VET™ platform and is exclusively licensed to Astellas Pharma for clinical development.
The Future of Oncolytic Immunotherapy
Oncolytic viruses are emerging as a key component of next-generation cancer immunotherapy. The ability of these engineered viruses to selectively target tumors, induce tumor lysis, and stimulate an immune response makes them an attractive therapeutic option, particularly for patients with hard-to-treat solid tumors. As research continues to advance, combination approaches utilizing oncolytic viruses in conjunction with immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and other immunotherapies hold great promise for improving patient outcomes.
KaliVir’s VET3-TGI is a prime example of the innovations shaping the future of oncolytic immunotherapy. With its dual-action mechanism and systemic delivery capability, VET3-TGI has the potential to address significant unmet needs in oncology.
About KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company utilizes its proprietary VET™ platform to engineer optimized viral backbones that enable the systemic delivery of potent oncolytic viruses. By integrating multiple genetic modifications, KaliVir is advancing a robust pipeline of therapeutic candidates designed to enhance immune responses and improve patient outcomes.
With a commitment to revolutionizing cancer treatment, KaliVir is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation in oncolytic immunotherapy. The company continues to explore novel strategies for enhancing the efficacy and safety of its oncolytic virus candidates while forging strategic partnerships to drive clinical development forward.
For more information, visit www.kalivir.com.
As the AACR Annual Meeting approaches, KaliVir remains poised to share valuable insights into its groundbreaking research. The presentation of VET3-TGI at this prestigious event underscores the company’s leadership in oncolytic immunotherapy and its commitment to advancing innovative cancer treatments.
