A new University of Edinburgh spinout Trogenix, involving IGC's Professor Steven Pollard, has unveiled a novel technology platform that promises unprecedented precision in targeting aggressive cancers, starting with brain cancer. Professor Steven Pollard, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Trogenix Pre-clinical trials have shown that the technology can kill glioblastoma cancer cells, leaving nearby healthy cells untouched in a way previous therapies have not managed, whilst also activating the body’s immune system against tumours. Currently, only 25% of glioblastoma patients survive beyond one year.Trogenix’ Synthetic Super-Enhancer (SSE) precision viral immunotherapy technology, Odysseus, uses a combination of gene control, machine learning, gene therapy and precision targeting to attack the cancer cells and stimulate the immune system. Preclinical studies have demonstrated curative responses with no toxicity and evidence of persistent anti-tumour immunity. Phase 1/2 clinical trials are planned for 2025. Our Odysseus platform represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment. By precisely targeting cancer cell states rather than just cell types, we can achieve unprecedented selectivity while activating the body's own immune system against the tumour. Professor Steven Pollard Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Trogenix Trogenix emerged from groundbreaking research at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair and UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, and the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre. It was co-founded by investor 4BIO Capital, which specialises in creating breakthrough therapeutic companies. The company's proprietary SSEs are engineered DNA elements that act as docking stations for transcription factors uniquely expressed in aggressive cancer cells. This enables highly selective and potent gene control with multiple layers of safety, including direct tumour injection for localised delivery and self-limiting control mechanisms. Through these SSEs, Trogenix's Odysseus platform delivers a comprehensive attack on cancer through controlled cell killing via targeted expression of cytotoxic payloads, immune modulation to overcome tumour-induced immunosuppression, and a unique ‘Trojan Horse’ approach that reawakens the immune system to provide long-term protection against recurrence. The company has also received investment from IQ Capital, Cancer Research Horizons, the US National Brain Tumor Society, AIN Ventures and Old College Capital (OCC), the University of Edinburgh’s in-house venture investment fund.Beyond glioblastoma, Trogenix is advancing programmes in colorectal cancer liver metastases, hepatocellular carcinoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma, with the goal of submitting five Investigational New Drug applications in five years, as well as a pipeline of research programmes in regenerative medicine. Link Trogenix Tags 2024 Publication date 20 Nov, 2024
