Theolytics develops next-generation oncolytic viral therapies, including candidates engineered for systemic intravenous delivery. Its lead candidate, THEO-260, is a next-generation oncolytic adenovirus that demonstrates killing of cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts while inducing immune activation in preclinical ovarian cancer models. THEO-260 is entering a Phase 1 multi-centre, open-label first-in-human trial in advanced-stage platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, to be evaluated by intravenous and intraperitoneal delivery and to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose. The company plans comprehensive biomarker studies, including development of novel biomarker tests, to demonstrate THEO-260’s dual tumour-lytic and immunotherapeutic mechanism. Additional preclinical programmes target colorectal cancer and haematological malignancies. Theolytics was founded in 2017, is headquartered in Oxford, UK, and recently received new grant funding alongside prior capital raises. Theolytics is an Oxford, UK–based biotechnology company developing oncolytic viral therapies, led by CEO Charlotte Casebourne Stock. Its lead program is THEO-260, a next-generation oncolytic adenovirus being developed for (platinum-resistant) ovarian cancer and explored for intravenous and intraperitoneal delivery. THEO-260 has shown high efficacy in killing cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in ovarian cancer patient tumour samples; destruction of cancer-associated fibroblasts is highlighted as a potentially differentiating feature. The company is focused on advancing THEO-260 into clinical trials in ovarian cancer. Additional pipeline programs in preclinical development target colorectal cancer and hematological malignancies. Theolytics raised £19M to support advancement of these programs. Theolytics is an Oxford, UK company spun out of the University of Oxford in 2017 and led by CEO Charlotte Casebourne. It has developed a large library of potential adenovirus product candidates alongside breakthrough bioselection systems. The company's internal pipeline focuses on oncolytic virus therapies, while its proprietary platforms can be applied across other adenovirus‑based modalities. The expanded Series A funding will support progress of internal programmes in ovarian cancer and a second cancer indication and further advance the company's technology platforms. As part of its accelerated growth the company will transition to state‑of‑the‑art facilities on Oxford Science Park. M Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Merck, joined the investor syndicate that also includes Epidarex Capital and Taiho Ventures. Theolytics uses a phenotypic screening platform to discover and develop oncolytic viral therapy candidates optimized for specific cancer patient populations. The company is focused on creating highly efficacious, targeted candidates suitable for intravenous delivery. Led by CEO Charlotte Casebourne and based in Oxford, the team aims to advance its pipeline toward human clinical testing. Theolytics closed a $6.8M Series A to fund progression of its candidates into clinical trials. The round underscores the company’s move from discovery toward clinical development. Board changes accompanying the financing included new directors Henning Steinhagen and Sakae Asanuma.

Total raised

$33M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Sep 2024