Combining the power of virus and synthetic biology to transform outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.
Introduction on Glioblastoma
About
OVI-719 is a new cancer treatment that uses a virus to target and kill glioblastoma cells. Developed by scientists at Ovie Therapeutics; they selected a viral strain that spreads effectively within tumors.
To ensure safety, they added “genetic switches” that allow the virus to only replicate inside cancer cells, protecting healthy brain cells.
Introduction on Glioblastoma
In 2023, about 27,000 patents have been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumors Glioblastoma is the most commonly occurring primary malignant brain tumor, accounting for half of all malignant tumors.​ For these, the five-year relative survival rate is only about 7% and median survival is only 8 months.
Only a few treatments have ever been approved for the more than 100 types of brain tumors. None of these extend survival more than two years on average, or are considered to be curative. For many tumor types, surgery and radiation remain the standard of care, and national guidelines suggest that clinical trials remain the best place to care for patients.​
Survival rates for adult and pediatric patients with brain tumors have not changed significantly over the past 45 years despite major improvements made in the treatment of other cancers. New and effective therapies are needed for patients with brain cancer.
Why we do it ?
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most complex, deadly, and treatment-resistant cancers.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 people in the US will succumb to glioblastoma every year.
The 5-year relative survival rate is 7% with a median survival of 8 months.
Glioblastoma is one of the more expensive cancers to treat, often leaving patients and families with major financial hardship on top of the burdens of the disease.
What's in a number ?
719 is based on the international classification of diseases, 2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C71.9, for Malignant neoplasm of brain, a number and an indication selected by design as OVI-719 has been specifically optimised for the treatment of brain malignancies, including glioblastoma.
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Learning from previous generation of oncolytic viruses and years of experimentation from a talented team of virologists, molecular biologists, immunologists, and pharmacologists converged to OVI-719, a potential best-in-class therapeutics for brain cancer.
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OVI-719 has been optimized
along 3 major axis:
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Potency
OVI-719 is built on a new viral strain selected to spread within the tumor, infect and kill cancer cells. It has also been engineered to target a tumor antigen, highly expressed glioblastoma.
Safety
Synthetic off-on genetic gates have been introduced into viral genes to restrict viral replication to cancer cells and spare healthy brain cells.
Durability
OVI-719 has been engineered to express multiple payloads selected to enhance antitumor immunity.
Our Team
Christophe Quéva
PhD, CEO, is a seasoned professional in the biopharmaceutical industry, currently serving as the Co-Founder, CEO, and President of Ovie Therapeutics.
Craig Strathdee
PhD, CSO, is the Chief Scientific Officer and a cofounder of Ovie Therapeutics.
Stephanie Duncanson
PhD, CBO, is Ovie Therapeutics CBO leading business development and intellectual property
Francisco J. Quintana
PhD, Senior advisor, is a Professor of Neurology at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, the Director of the Program on Immunology of Aging at the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, and an Associate Member at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. Dr. Quintana is also the President of the International Society of Neuro Immunology (ISNI).