HiFiBiO Therapeutics sets up JV with Vikas Sukhatme on cancer research

USA-based HiFiBiO Therapeutics has today announced the formation ofVicta Biotherapeutics, a joint venture with Vikas Sukhatme, Robert W Woodruff Professor of Medicine and Dean of Emory University School of Medicine.

The new open-innovation collaboration will look to expand on the immuno-oncology research pioneered by Dr Sukhatme during his time at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and ultimately help accelerate the development of breakthrough standalone or complementary therapies for various cancers. Specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The new joint venture aims to validate surface molecules on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that were previously discovered by Dr Sukhatme and his team at BIDMC. Dr Sukhatme brings his deep understanding of the targets and mechanisms of action and strong expertise about the connection between MDSCs and relevant cancer patients. HiFiBiO Therapeutics will use its biological expertise, unprecedented drug discovery engine, in-depth knowledge of pharmacology, and single-cell-based translational research capabilities to identify a repertoire of first-in-class antibody drugs for various forms of cancer.