OncoSec Medical
OncoSec Medical is a biotechnology company focusing on cancer immunotherapy, currently undergoing Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
Company Undergoing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
OncoSec Medical has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. This filing marks a significant turning point for the company and indicates the start of a liquidation process to pay off creditors according to the legal provisions of Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Lead Product Candidate: TAVO
TAVO is OncoSec Medical's lead product candidate. It's being investigated for its potential to stimulate a systemic immune response through the intratumoral administration of IL-12. TAVO is involved in multiple clinical trials, including a pivotal Phase 2 trial for metastatic melanoma, as well as two Phase 2 trials for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and head and neck cancer. Across these trials, TAVO has demonstrated a favorable safety profile, generally being well-tolerated in multiple treatment cycles.
Core Technology Platform
OncoSec Medical's core technology platform aims to bolster the body’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. The platform focuses on the intratumoral delivery of plasmid DNA, particularly for immunologically relevant genes. This technology is advancing through clinical trials targeting various cancer types.
Investigational Visceral Lesion Applicator (VLA) Technology
The visceral lesion applicator (VLA) technology at OncoSec Medical is under investigation for treating non-cutaneous, internal tumors. This technology enables the direct delivery of TAVO or other genes into internal lesions located in critical organs like the gastrointestinal tract, lung, liver, pancreas, and bone. Key components of VLA include novel access applicators and the reversible, low-voltage electroporation generator known as APOLLO. This innovation is designed to enhance the targeted treatment of internal cancerous lesions.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
OncoSec Medical has established several strategic partnerships and collaborations to advance their product development and market reach. These include a clinical trial collaboration with Merck to evaluate the combination of TAVO and Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA in a Phase 2b clinical trial. They have a strategic alliance with China Grand Pharmaceutical (CGP) for introducing TAVO to the Chinese market and collaborate with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on CAR T-cell therapies. Additional partnerships include a research agreement with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and a collaboration agreement with Emerge Health to commercialize TAVO in Australia and New Zealand under Australia's Special Access Scheme (SAS).