Theriva Biologics is putting more of its eggs in the VCN-01 basket as it unveils a change-up in its R&D focus.
Last fall, SYN-004, also known as ribaxamase, finished a second cohort part of a phase 1b/2a test in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease. The Maryland biotech has since been given the regulatory sign-off to move the β-lactamase enzyme into a third cohort.
But not so fast: In its full-year financials posted March 6, Theriva said it could only do that with new “grant funding, or [by finding] a licensee or partner,” given its limited cash supply.
Instead, the focus of its current funding and research teams will now be VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus that is in multiple early or midstage trials for several conditions, including metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and refractory retinoblastoma.
The former test is currently in phase 2 trials with key data expected in the coming months, and the biotech seeks to move on to phase 3 should results go its way.
In refractory retinoblastoma, meanwhile, VCN-01 has seen positive phase 1 data, according to Theriva, which hopes to work with “key opinion leaders to develop a potential pivotal trial protocol for discussion with regulatory agencies.”
Theriva has $11.6 million in cash, which it expects to keep the lights on until the third quarter of this year. Shares in the biotech were up more than 7% after-hours Thursday.