Viron Therapeutics

Viron Therapeutics, LLC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company established in 2018, with its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company was founded to advance technology licensed from The Wistar Institute, a notable center for biomedical research in vaccines, cancer, and infectious diseases. Co-founders include Andrew D. Luber, Pharm.D., and Bernard Rudnick, M.B.A. Viron Therapeutics is focused on creating T cell-based immunotherapies to address cancers and chronic infectious diseases.

The company's business model centers on the development and commercialization of its proprietary immunotherapy platform. This platform, known as VIACT™, uses genetically encoded checkpoint modifiers (CPMs) delivered via an adaptable viral vector to enhance the body's CD8+ T cell response against tumors or infections. This approach is designed to stimulate potent, broad, and durable T cell activity, aiming to overcome immune exhaustion often seen in chronic conditions. Revenue generation is anticipated through strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and the eventual sale of approved therapies. In October 2023, Viron entered into a joint venture with Ocean Biomedical to accelerate its clinical programs.

Viron's lead product candidate is VRON-0200, an immunotherapy administered via intramuscular injection with the goal of providing a functional cure for chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Affecting an estimated 296 million people globally, chronic HBV currently has no functional cure. In the third quarter of 2023, Viron initiated a first-in-human, Phase 1b clinical trial for VRON-0200 across multiple countries to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in patients with chronic HBV. Initial results from the first cohorts have shown the treatment to be safe and well-tolerated. The company's pipeline also includes VRON-0300, an oncology program in development for advanced solid tumors.

Keywords: T cell immunotherapy, checkpoint modifiers, chronic infectious diseases, Hepatitis B Virus, HBV, functional cure, cancer immunotherapy, viral vector platform, clinical-stage biotechnology, CD8+ T cells, VRON-0200, VIACT platform, Wistar Institute, immuno-oncology, vaccine development, Ocean Biomedical, gene therapy, biologics, drug development