Virionyx goes Innate

Auckland biotech Virionyx has changed its name to Innate Therapeutics as part of a move to reposition itself in the immune response field.

The unlisted public company has a lead candidate currently in investigator-sponsored compassionate trials in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis and metastatic cancer.

The company was established to commercialise a monoclonal antibody against HIV/AIDS, but has closed that program to concentrate on the new candidate.

The compound, MIS416, is a microparticulate formation containing cytosolically active TLR-9 and NOD-2 ligands, which activate signal transduction pathways in the innate and adaptive immune systems.

It has been found to be active against infectious diseases such as anthrax, plague and flu, as well as showing anti-tumour activity in metastatic breast and lung cancers, both as a monotherapy and as an adjuvant.

It has undergone preclinical toxicology studies and the company is planning to start a Phase I safety trial this year, followed by a Phase II trial in cancer next year.