TILT Biotherapeutics specialises in oncolytic adenovirus therapies using its proprietary TILT® platform to deliver immune-activating cytokines (TNF alpha and IL-2) to tumours. Its lead candidate, TILT-123 (igrelimogene litadenorepvec), is a chimeric oncolytic adenovirus administered intratumorally or intravenously designed to convert immunologically “cold” tumours into “hot” tumours and potentiate T-cell therapies and checkpoint inhibitors. The company is running multiple clinical trials, including Phase 2 planning for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and Phase 1b studies in melanoma; interim Phase 1b results are expected in H2 2026. TILT reported Phase 1a (PROTA) data showing disease control in 64% of evaluable patients (9/14), a 20% overall response rate at the highest dose level, median progression-free survival of 98 days, and overall survival of 190 days. The company has established collaborations with Merck & Co. (MSD) and Merck KGaA and has opened its first U.S. site with plans to add several more in 2025. With a $25.6M Series B, TILT intends to accelerate TILT-123 development and expand its U.S. clinical presence. TILT Biotherapeutics develops cancer immunotherapies based on proprietary armed oncolytic adenoviruses that deliver cytokines and other molecules to modify the tumor microenvironment and enhance T‑cell activity. Its lead asset, TILT-123, is a 5/3 chimeric adenovirus armed with TNF‑alpha and IL‑2 and is currently in Phase I clinical trials. The company positions its platform to work synergistically with immune checkpoint inhibitors, TIL therapy, and CAR‑T approaches. TILT has active clinical collaborations with Merck KGaA and Pfizer (avelumab) and with MSD (pembrolizumab) across several indications, and a development/commercialization partnership in Greater China with Biotheus. The company plans to use new funding to advance combination trials into Phase II. TILT is based in Helsinki with an office in Boston and was established in 2013 as a University of Helsinki spin‑out. TILT Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cancer therapeutics based on proprietary oncolytic adenoviruses armed with molecules such as cytokines to modulate T-cell responses. Its lead asset, TILT-123, is a 5/3 chimeric serotype adenovirus armed with human TNF alpha and IL-2, which has shown a 100% response rate in preclinical in vivo models and is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials. The company is progressing multiple clinical trials in Europe and the US and is partnering with Merck KGaA and Pfizer to study TILT-123 with the PD-L1 inhibitor Avelumab and with MSD to investigate combination therapy with Pembrolizumab. TILT plans to advance Phase I/II programs using TILT-123 plus immune checkpoint inhibitors across indications including ovarian, head and neck, and lung cancers. Founded in 2013 and based in Helsinki, Finland, TILT has prior support from Lifeline Ventures, Tesi, angel investors, Business Finland, and the European Innovation Council. The company recently completed the first close of a financing round and appointed Dr. Tuija Keinonen as Chair of the Board to support its expanding clinical footprint. Tilt Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company and 2013 spin-out from the University of Helsinki developing cytokine-armed oncolytic adenoviruses to enhance T-cell therapies. Its lead asset, TILT-123, is a 5/3 chimeric serotype adenovirus armed with two human cytokines (TNF alpha and IL-2). TILT-123 has completed GLP preclinical studies and CMC for Phase 1 studies and is being developed for solid tumors as monotherapy or in combination with TILs or checkpoint inhibitors. The company intends to use the new funding to advance TILT-123 into Phase 1 trials in Europe and the United States and to prepare for Phase 2. Tilt is also investing in an innovative production process to scale up GMP manufacturing. Partnerships include a collaboration with Biotheus for Greater China rights and a collaboration with Merck KGaA and Pfizer to investigate TILT-123 with the PD-L1 inhibitor Avelumab. The company is led by CEO Akseli Hemminki. TILT Biotherapeutics develops oncolytic viruses designed to enhance tumor T‑cell therapies, including TIL, CAR‑T and checkpoint inhibitors. Its lead candidate, TILT‑123, is a TNFα/IL2‑armed oncolytic adenovirus currently in preclinical development with GMP production ongoing. The company plans first Phase I clinical trials in early 2018, including a trial in two European centers addressing metastatic melanoma in combination with TILs. TILT highlights that its virus backbone has shown safety in humans and can access distant metastases via the vasculature. The platform has been engineered for improved efficacy and safety in cancer cells, and the founding team has published extensively and treated patients with oncolytic viruses. TILT is pursuing additional capital and collaborations with companies working on checkpoint inhibitors and CAR‑T technologies.

Total raised

$71M

Funding rounds

7

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

May 2025