Pfizer Inc. and Western Oncolytics today announced their collaboration on the WO-12 oncolytic vaccinia virus.
The two companies will work
together on the preclinical and clinical development of the cancer vaccine and
through Phase I trials.
“Our goal is to combine WO-12 with our portfolio of promising investigational immunotherapies to explore how these novel combinations could help further enhance the body’s immune response in fighting cancer cells,” Pfizer Chief Scientific Officer, Vaccine Immunotherapeutics, James Merson said. “We believe that the real advances in immuno-oncology will come from novel combinations, and cancer fighting viruses and vaccines could play a key role in helping transform cancer treatment and potentially enable us to treat more patients.”
The investigational oncolytic virus is intended to infect tumors and kill the cancer cells. The engineered virus will also stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the cancer cells. The antibodies will also seek out other cancer cells in the body and kill them. The treatment spares healthy cells.
“We have been very impressed with the expertise and commitment to success from everyone at Pfizer, and are excited to be partnering this promising therapy with a shared vision of improving the way patients are treated,” Western Oncolytics CEO Kurt Rote said.
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