Janssen has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BeneVir Biopharm, a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of oncolytic immunotherapies.
BeneVir utilises a proprietary T-Stealth Oncolytic Virus Platform to engineer oncolytic viruses, tailored to infect and destroy cancer cells.
“Oncolytic viral immunotherapy holds exciting potential in the treatment of solid tumours through the priming and augmenting of an anti-tumour immune response,” said Peter Lebowitz, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research & Development. “BeneVir’s unique technology platform complements our immuno-oncology research, which is focused on bringing forward an array of novel immunotherapies and combinations that may improve treatment outcomes for patients.”
Janssen said it intends to advance pre-clinical candidates as standalone therapies and in combination with other immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumor cancers (e.g., lung, prostate, colorectal, etc.)
