Biotherapeutics Company Initiates Partnership For Lung Cancer Treatment
Calidi Biotherapeutics Collaborates with SIGA Technologies to Advance RTNova Virotherapy for Lung Cancer and Metastatic Solid Tumors.
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Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has entered into a collaboration with SIGA Technologies (Nasdaq: SIGA). This partnership, initiated in the first quarter of 2024, aims to accelerate the development of Calidi’s revolutionary RTNova (CLD-400) virotherapy platform. The collaboration represents a significant step toward potentially providing a universal treatment for all tumor types, initially focusing on lung cancer and metastatic solid tumors, which together account for the majority of cancer-related deaths.
The Promise of RTNova Virotherapy
RTNova is an advanced virotherapy platform that uses an enveloped vaccinia virus engineered to combat cancer. Unlike traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, virotherapy employs viruses to target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. RTNova’s unique characteristics allow it to survive in the bloodstream, target multiple tumor sites, and kill tumor cells while modifying the tumor immune microenvironment. This innovative approach offers the potential for more effective and less invasive cancer treatments. At the core of the collaboration between Calidi Biotherapeutics and SIGA Technologies is the integration of SIGA’s TPOXX, an antiviral agent known for its efficacy against the vaccinia virus. TPOXX was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2018 for the treatment of smallpox, primarily to mitigate the impact of a potential outbreak or bioterror attack.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated TPOXX’s effectiveness against all tested orthopoxviruses, including vaccinia, which is critical to the development of vaccinia-based cancer therapies. By incorporating TPOXX into the RTNova platform, Calidi aims to create a "safety switch" to control the spread of the virotherapy in vivo. This safety mechanism could provide additional assurance to patients, physicians, and regulatory bodies during future clinical trials.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration: Antonio F. Santidrian, Chief Scientific Officer of Calidi Biotherapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with SIGA Technologies. According to Santidrian, RTNova represents a major breakthrough in cancer treatment, with the potential to shift the landscape for patients across all tumor types. By partnering with SIGA, Calidi will have access to a safety switch during the development process, which could significantly enhance the viability and safety of RTNova during clinical trials.
“We believe RTNova is a major breakthrough, and Calidi’s novel systemic targeted virotherapy has the potential to radically shift the treatment landscape for patients across all tumor types,” said Santidrian. “By partnering with SIGA, we will have access to a safety switch during the development process, which could provide assurance to patients, physicians, and regulatory bodies during future clinical trials. We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings.”
Understanding Virotherapy and Its Mechanisms
Virotherapy involves using viruses to infect and kill cancer cells. The RTNova platform utilizes an enveloped vaccinia virus, which is part of the orthopoxvirus family. This category of viruses has been extensively studied, and their interactions with the human immune system are well understood. Vaccinia viruses can be genetically engineered to selectively replicate within cancer cells, causing cell lysis (destruction) and subsequent tumor reduction. Virotherapy can alter the tumor immune microenvironment. By attacking cancer cells, the virus can trigger an immunogenic response, thereby helping the body’s immune system recognize and fight the tumor more effectively. This dual action—direct oncolysis (cancer cell destruction) and immune modulation—positions virotherapy as a promising treatment option for various cancers.
TPOXX (tecovirimat) is an antiviral medication that inhibits the activity of the VP37 protein, preventing the formation of viral particles. It has been shown to be effective against several orthopoxviruses, including the vaccinia virus used in RTNova. Incorporating TPOXX as a safety switch in the RTNova platform could enable clinicians to control the spread of the virotherapy, ensuring that it remains confined to the tumor site without affecting healthy tissues.
The inclusion of TPOXX in the RTNova platform is particularly relevant given the FDA's approval of TPOXX for smallpox treatment. The extensive preclinical studies and published efficacy data in animal models underscore the potential of TPOXX to enhance the safety profile of vaccinia-based virotherapies. This strategic integration aims to address any concerns related to the systemic administration of live viruses in cancer patients.
Calidi Biotherapeutics: A Pioneer in Immuno-Oncology
Calidi Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in developing novel stem cell-based platforms designed to arm the immune system to combat cancer. The company's proprietary technology harnesses potent allogeneic stem cells capable of carrying payloads of oncolytic viruses. These platforms are being developed for multiple oncology indications, including high-grade gliomas and solid tumors. One of Calidi’s key innovations is its off-the-shelf, universal cell-based delivery platforms. These systems are designed to protect, amplify, and potentiate oncolytic viruses, leading to enhanced efficacy and improved patient safety. Calidi’s preclinical enveloped virotherapies aim to target disseminated solid tumors, potentially treating or even preventing metastatic disease.
The collaboration between Calidi Biotherapeutics and SIGA Technologies marks a significant milestone in the advancement of virotherapy for cancer treatment. With the integration of TPOXX as a safety mechanism, the RTNova platform is poised to undergo rigorous clinical testing, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in cancer therapy. If successful, RTNova could revolutionize the treatment of lung cancer and metastatic solid tumors, offering new hope to patients who have limited options under current treatment paradigms. By leveraging the unique properties of virotherapy and the protective capabilities of TPOXX, Calidi aims to deliver a powerful and safe therapeutic option that can transform the oncology landscape.
The partnership between Calidi Biotherapeutics and SIGA Technologies to advance the development of the RTNova virotherapy platform represents a significant step forward in cancer treatment. By combining the innovative RTNova virotherapy with the proven antiviral properties of TPOXX, this collaboration aims to create a safer and more effective treatment option for lung cancer and metastatic solid tumors.
As clinical trials progress, the scientific community will be closely watching the outcomes of this collaboration. The potential to provide a universal treatment for all tumor types could have far-reaching implications, offering hope to countless patients around the world.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical, investment, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any significant decisions.
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