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Calidi Biotherapeutics Presents Data at The 2020 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium

February 13, 2020 Off By BusinessWire

Data shows that Calidi’s cell-based platform protects and potentiates oncolytic vaccinia virus resulting in enhanced oncolytic virotherapy

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#bio—Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical‐stage immuno-oncology company at the forefront of cell-based oncolytic virus immunotherapies for cancer, presented pre-clinical data on their lead oncolytic virus candidate SNV1 (allogeneic adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells loaded with tumor selective CAL1 vaccinia virus) in a poster presentation at the 2020 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium.

SNV1 demonstrated enhanced therapeutic effects when compared to naked vaccinia virus across multiple human cancer cell lines and animal tumor models. “The biggest hurdle in oncolytic virotherapy is the quick elimination of an oncolytic virus by the patient’s immune system,” said Boris Minev, MD, President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Calidi Biotherapeutics. “We presented data documenting potent anti-tumor and immunologic effects not only at the SNV1-injected site, but also at distant non-treated tumor sites. These abscopal effects on non-injected tumors support our premise that Calidi’s proprietary stem cell vehicle and vaccinia virus combination can modulate the tumor microenvironment and activate the immune system making it a powerful combination therapy partner in immuno-oncology. We look forward to exploring partnerships and licensing opportunities with other companies working in this space.”

SNV1 was analyzed for its ability to kill cancer cell lines in vitro, and protect and potentiate the oncolytic virus even in the presence of active neutralizing antibodies and complement. SNV1 was also injected intratumorally in various xenograft and syngeneic animal models. Immune cell infiltration of the injected tumors was analyzed by flow cytometry of tumor-derived single cell suspensions. Intratumoral SNV1 treatment showed statistically significant tumor growth inhibition when compared to control (non-treated tumors) or to CAL1 naked virus treatment in all tested syngeneic tumor models (breast, melanoma, colon, and prostate cancers). Importantly, the local administration of SNV1 induced systemic therapeutic effects as well as modulation of local and distant tumor immune infiltration.

The therapeutic premise behind Calidi’s cell-based platform is to protect and potentiate the oncolytic vaccinia virus by circumventing humoral innate and adaptive immune barriers, resulting in enhanced oncolytic virotherapy. These findings provide a fundamental rationale for the development of cell-based platforms to maximize the therapeutic potential of various oncolytic viruses. A copy of the abstract and poster presentation materials can be found in the Publications section of the Calidi Biotherapeutics website.

About Calidi Biotherapeutics

Calidi Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with proprietary technology that is revolutionizing the effective delivery of oncolytic viruses for targeted therapy against difficult to treat cancers. Calidi Biotherapeutics is advancing a potent allogeneic stem cell and oncolytic virus combination for use in multiple oncology indications. Calidi’s off-the shelf universal cell-based delivery platform is designed to protect, amplify and potentiate oncolytic viruses currently in development leading to enhanced efficacy and improved patient safety. Calidi Biotherapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit www.calidibio.com.

About the ASCO-SITC Conference

The ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium is a three-day meeting focused on clinical and translational research in immuno-oncology and the implications for clinical care. This meeting addresses the high-level of need for clinical education in a field where all aspects of care are fundamentally different from traditional therapies.

About SNV1

Supernova 1 (SNV1) is CAL1 tumor selective vaccinia virus combined with allogeneic adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC). Vaccinia virus is not a human pathogen and has been extensively used as a vaccine in hundreds of millions of people for smallpox. CAL1 has naturally occurring attenuations/truncations linked to tumor selectivity and can infect wide range of tumor cells as vaccinia virus does not require a cell receptor. In addition, CAL1 offers a large insertion capacity of therapeutic genes for next generation, gene modified vaccinia viruses. To protect the vaccinia virus from the complement system, Calidi utilizes AD-MSC to protect the viral payload from the patients’ immune system, thus allowing effective delivery to the tumor sites.

Forward Looking Statement

Some of the statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties inherent in research and development. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including potential clinical successes, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings and market shares. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. The statements made by the Company are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Calidi Biotherapeutics does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or updated status of such statements.