Kalivir Immunotherapeutics, Inc.

University of Pittsburgh

Kalivir Immunotherapeutcs, Inc.

Daniel J Byrd

Stephen Howard Thorne

Mingrui Zhang

The disclosure relates to modified oncolytic viruses. The modified oncolytic viruses of the disclosure comprise modification in the viral genome encoding exogenous nucleic acids to enhance the oncolytic immunotherapy by remodeling the tumor microenvironment and with enhanced systemic delivery. The disclosure further relates to compositions comprising the modified oncolytic viruses, kits containing the same, and methods of using the oncolytic viruses.

Oncolytic immunotherapy by tumor micro-environment remodeling

This disclosure provides a modified oncolytic virus that can contain modifications in the viral genome and exogenous nucleic acids coding for proteins. The modified oncolytic virus can be utilized as a platform vector for systemic delivery.

Platform oncolytic vector for systemic delivery

This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.

Oncolytic viruses targeting STAT3

Described herein are modified oncolytic viruses that can contain modifications in the viral genome and exogenous nucleic acids coding for proteins. The modified oncolytic virus can be utilized as a platform vector for systemic delivery. Further described herein are oncolytic viruses having an exogenous nucleic acid that codes for a protein or a functional variant thereof that enhances degradation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with a tumor, wherein the protein is a membrane associated protein.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Daniel J Byrd