Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

Oncolytic viruses (OV) are one of the most promising new therapies currently being developed for the treatment of cancer. Manufacturing of the large amounts of these viruses that is required to deliver an effective dose to a patient is one of the most significant bottlenecks for the clinical development of this novel cancer therapy. Previous work has led to the discovery of biological compounds that augment viral infection in cancer cells. In this current proposal, we intend to adapt these so-called Biological Viral Sensitizers (BVS) to the manufacturing process for our lead candidate OVs. We propose that BVS can be used to supplement cellular growth media leading to substantial increases in virus production from infected cells. We are also combining the BVS in a new Bioreactor-based manufacturing scheme which we will integrate with a GMP level process so that we may be able to offer this as a service for third party manufacturing projects. Herein, we outline a technical plan that will increase the technology's commercial value through validation of the use of BVS to increase yields of commercially relevant viruses from cell lines that are already approved and commonly used for vaccine and biotherapeutic manufacturing.