Regeneron and Vyriad to develop oncolytic virus therapies

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has formed a five-year alliance with Vyriad for the development of oncolytic virus-based treatments for cancer. Under the research collaboration and option licensing agreement, a clinical trial is set to be initiated next year to assess Regeneron’s Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc) in combination with Vyriad’s Voyager-V1. The trial will enrol patients with various cancer types including lung, liver and endometrial cancers, as well as melanoma. Libtayo is a PD-1 inhibitor, while Voyager-V1 is an oncolytic virus. Regeneron invented Libtayo using its VelocImmune technology, which involves the use of a genetically-humanised mouse to generate fully-human antibodies. The drug is being developed in alliance with Sanofi. Vyriad programmed Voyager-V1 to selectively attack cancer cells and also stimulate the immune system to destroy local and distant cancer cells. The oncolytic virus also boosts inflammatory and antitumor immune system responses for turning ‘cold’ tumours ‘hot’, which is believed to improve anti-PD-1 activity.