BRIEF—Oncolys buys into Missouri firm to expand virotherapy pipeline

Japan’s Oncolys BioPharma has bought a significant share of Missouri, USA-based Unleash Immuno Oncolytics for $3 million, affording around 27% voting rights in the company.

The firm, which was founded in 2015 to research new adenovirus-based cancer therapies, is developing UIO-512, an oncolytic virus with potential to target refractory solid tumors.

Unleash is also developing UIO-702, a genetically modified virus designed to evade human immune responses with potential against neoplastic metastatic disease.

As part of the deal, Oncolys will also buy $330,000 of common shares of Precision Virologics, affording voting rights of about 23%.

Oncolys says it hopes the move will “reinforce its existing pipeline of cancer virotherapy led by its own oncolytic adenovirus Telomelysin (OBP-301), and help to expand drug candidates portfolio in both cancer and serious infectious diseases.”