Building on UCSD intellectual property, EpicentRx is working on immunotherapy drugs intended to target the body's non-specific and adaptive specific immune function synchronously.

EpicentRx, a US-based cancer immunotherapy developer exploiting University of California, San Diego (UCSD) research, has procured $35m in series D funding from an unnamed client of life science-focused investment bank Biotech Alliances International. Based in Europe, the unnamed investor will supply the cash in three tranches, bringing EpicentRx’s funding total to approximately $77m. EpicentRx is working on two immunotherapeutic approaches each targeting a different half of the immune system –  non-specific immunity and adaptive specific immunity – to fight cancer with minimal toxicity. The company’s lead asset is a small molecule compound called RRx-001 currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials with the aim of positively influencing the tumour microenvionment and prompting tumour-associated macrophages under the body’s innate immune response. Proceeds from the series D rounds will support RRx-001’s development while also fuelling progress on EpicentRx’s second concept – a group of oncolytic adenoviral agents genetically engineered to selectively destroy cancer cells by replicating inside of them. EpicentRx’s adenoviruses are additionally equipped with multiple transgenes that are selectively expressed throughout the replication process, with the most advanced candidate, dubbed TGF-beta trap, currently under preparations for phase 1 testing. The concept was formulated by EpicentRx chief scientific officer Tony Reid, professor of medicine at UCSD’s Moores Cancer Center. Details of EpicentRx’s earlier funding rounds have not been publicly disclosed.

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