Next Generation Products

SEPREHVIR®(HSV1716) is a therapy in its own right, but can also act as the basis for a whole family of enhanced HSV vectors.

VIRTTU has developed a proprietary viral engineering system (SEPREHVIR®) to rapidly generate novel HSV1716-based viruses that contain additional genes to enhance its properties.

This technology has allowed the development of a family of next generation products that are showing promising results in non-clinical development.

The aim of the next generation programme is to provide additional therapeutic options by the development of novel oncolytic viruses that are:

• "targeted" specifically to tumour cells; and/or
• "armed" with additional genes to enhance the destruction of tumour cells.

VIRTTU has already generated impressive and exciting non-clinical results with an extensive repertoire of "targeted", "armed" and "targeted + armed" next-generation products.

"Armed" variants of HSV1716, for example that express enzymes, membrane transporters, hormones, antisense and siRNA, have been produced and have shown significant improvements to tumour killing in animal models.

"Targeted" variants of HSV1716, for example by using antibodies, incorporated into the herpes virus surface proteins are used to target tumour cell antigens, stem cell markers, receptors, or ligands. HSV1716 variants targeted to specific tumour antigens have shown improved tumour uptake and enhanced efficacy in animal models and this opens up the possibility of more effective systemic delivery to patients.

It is also possible to combine both "targeted" and "armed" next-generation viruses, and VIRTTU has demonstrated Proof of Concept that this approach is feasible.

VIRTTU has active R&D programmes to develop novel candidates for cancer therapy that have potential applications in other cancer types, and also for systemic delivery by injection into the bloodstream.

We are seeking to expand our repertoire of cancers amenable to HSV1716 oncolytic therapy by developing novel next generation variants with complementary anti-cancer functions and intend to pursue the development of our Next Generation products into the clinic.

Development Opportunities and Technology

Product	Indication	Research & Non-clinical	Status
Seprehvec (Accelerated Vector Programme)	Rapid generation of novel engineered HSV viruses	Ongoing	VIRTTU has a proprietary and patented technology (Seprehvec) for rapid construction and characterisation of novel engineered HSV viruses.
"Targeted" Next Generation HSV1716	Herpes virus therapy for many solid tumour types	Ongoing	Extensive non clinical work undertaken on many "targeted" next generation viruses. Many exciting development oppurtunties exist for further novel virus designs. Applications in many solid tumour types.
"Armed" Next Generation HSV1716	Herpes virus therapy for many solid tumour types	Ongoing	Extensive Non-Clinical work done on many "armed" next generation viruses. Many exciting development oppurtunties exist for further novel virus designs. Applications in many solid tumour types.
"Targeted and Armed" Next Generation HSV1716	Herpes virus therapy for many solid tumour types	Ongoing	Extensive Non-Clinical work done on many "targeted + armed" next generation viruses. Many exciting development oppurtunties exist for further novel virus designs. Applications in many solid tumour types.