Cytovation is a clinical-stage immune-oncology company developing CyPep-1, an immunotherapy that targets the cell membrane of tumor cells. CyPep-1 has a multi-modal mechanism of action: it forms pores in the plasma membrane to eliminate cancer cells, releases antigens to the immune system, promotes an inflammatory microenvironment, and induces a tumor-specific immune response by in situ vaccination. The company is advancing CyPep-1 toward treatment of solid tumors and plans to move the asset into a full Phase 2 program. Cytovation is led by CEO Lars Prestegarden, MD, PhD, and is a spin-off from the University of Bergen. Financially, the company recently completed an $8M Series A extension that increased total Series A funding to over $28M. Cytovation is a clinical-stage immune-oncology company and spin-off from the University of Bergen focused on developing CyPep-1, a first-in-class tumorolytic agent that targets the plasma membrane of cancer cells. CyPep-1 is engineered to selectively target cancer cells and kill them by forming pores in the plasma membrane, releasing cancer-specific antigens to the immune system. That release promotes an inflammatory tumor microenvironment and induces a tumor-specific immune response described as in situ vaccination. Preclinical data cited by the company suggest this mode of action is highly synergistic with checkpoint inhibitors. Cytovation plans to progress CyPep-1 into Phase II, expanding single-agent arms and adding three combination arms with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in HNSCC, triple-negative breast cancer, and melanoma in collaboration with MSD. The company intends to use financing proceeds to advance CyPep-1 and explore further pipeline development targeting patients with high unmet medical need. Cytovation develops CyPep-1, a 27–amino-acid peptide that selectively targets cutaneous warts by disrupting the cell membrane and triggering an immune response through antigen release. The company intends to formulate CyPep-1 as a topical cream for treatment of warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and sees applications in other dermatological diseases. Cytovation says the approach is a completely novel treatment strategy and that the product has already undergone extensive testing and quality control. The company will use the new funding to complete pre-clinical toxicology studies and GMP manufacturing and to advance CyPep-1 into a Phase I clinical trial. Cytovation is led by CEO Kjell Inge Arnevig and has ties to Haukeland University Hospital and the University of Bergen. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Bergen, Norway.

Total raised

$30M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Jun 2023