Theriva™ Biologics has announced promising preliminary results from its Phase 2b VIRAGE study, which investigates its treatment VCN-01 (zabilugene almandenorepvec) aimed at patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. These results, which meet the primary endpoints of survival and safety, will be detailed further during the 2025 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), scheduled for October. Steven A. Shallcross, the company’s CEO, expressed optimism about the progress made so far, paving the way for a potential Phase 3 clinical trial and an expansion in the production of VCN-01.
In another noteworthy event, the 2025 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) also showcased results from a Phase 1 study exploring the potential of VCN-01 in patients with refractory retinoblastoma. These findings have generated considerable interest in the medical community.
From a financial perspective, Theriva reported a notable increase in its overhead expenses for the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to an adjustment in the contingent consideration related to the progress of the VIRAGE trial. However, research and development expenses have decreased, dropping from $3 million in 2024 to $2 million in 2025, reflecting a reduction in clinical testing.
Industry analysts believe that the success of VCN-01 could represent a significant advancement in the fight against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, known for being one of the deadliest forms of cancer, which also presents a challenging prognosis and a low resectability rate at diagnosis. Theriva’s innovative approach to systemic administration of its product allows for the treatment of both primary tumors and metastases, enhancing its therapeutic potential.
By the end of June 2025, the company had $12.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, an amount they consider sufficient to continue operations into early 2026. Additionally, Theriva is working on establishing strategic partnerships with other entities for the clinical development of VCN-01, aiming to maximize the potential of its innovative approach in oncology biotechnology.
via: MiMub in Spanish