• Combined entity aims to be a leader in oncolytic virotherapy discovery, devel­op­ment, and commer­cial­iza­tion
• Pipeline of immuno-oncology prod­ucts targets a broad range of cancers

Rochester, MN (Press Release) – Omnis Pharma, Inc. and Magnis Therapeutics, LLC, announced today their strategic merger to form Vyriad, a clin­i­cal-stage oncolytic immunovirotherapy devel­op­ment com­pany. The com­bined com­pa­nies' prod­uct devel­op­ment pipe­line encompasses multiple clin­i­cal-stage and late pre­clin­i­cal-stage prod­ucts targeting a broad range of human cancer indi­ca­tions, in­­clud­ing a Phase 1 de­vel­opment pro­gram partnered with a large pharma­ceu­tical com­pany. Financial details of the trans­­action were not disclosed.

"I am delighted to announce the completion of this merger, which consolidates two leading oncolytic plat­forms, a broad intellectual property portfolio, a strong col­lab­o­rative research and devel­op­ment network, and a vibrant clin­i­cal-stage prod­uct pipe­line that spans the cancer spectrum," said Stephen J. Russell, MD, PhD, Pres­i­dent and CEO of Vyriad. "Given our broad clin­i­cal and ad­vanced pre­clin­i­cal portfolio, prod­uct develop­ment engine, and scientific capabilities, I firmly believe that Vyriad is on course to become the leading oncolytic virotherapy com­pany creating powerful new immuno­therapies for patients with cancer."

The com­bined com­pany results in:

• A robust pipeline encompassing eight oncolytic virotherapies in clinical development and seven in late-stage preclinical development: Vyriad's lead programs include Phase 2 product candidates in ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma, and Phase 1 programs in glioblastoma, meso­thelioma, head and neck cancer, blood cancers, endometrial cancer, hematologic malignancies, and gastrointestinal cancer. The company's seven pre-IND programs include initiatives that pair onco­lytic vaccines with other cancer immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors, as well as other forms of cancer therapy such as chemotherapy.
• Validated, industry-leading oncolytic virotherapy platforms: Vyriad unites vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and measles virus platforms licensed from Mayo Clinic, the University of Miami, and Yale University School of Medicine following more than 15 years of intensive research to identify the most promising oncolytic viruses based on selectivity, mechanism of action, and potency. In 2014, Vyriad's Oncolytic Measles virus demonstrated successful treatment of a patient with multiple myeloma who had previously undergone 10 years of unsuccessful treatment and exhausted all traditional treatment options, and who remains disease-free two years following treatment.
• Partnerships: Vyriad partnership agreements include a licensing agreement with MedImmune / AstraZeneca focused on pairing Vyriad's oncolytic VSV virus with a checkpoint inhibitor created by MedImmune; and a collaborative research and development agreement with Profectus BioSciences focused on developing oncolytic recombinant VSV vaccines for cancer immunotherapy.
• Expertise: Vyriad was founded by a passionate team of researchers and clinicians with extensive expertise in development and translation of novel oncolytic therapies for the treatment of cancer.

The com­bined com­pany will be led by the existing Omnis and Magnis man­agement teams, with Stephen Russell, MD, PhD, serving as Pres­i­dent and CEO. Dr. Russell is a Professor of Molecular Medicine and Con­sultant Hematologist at Mayo Clinic Rochester. He was formerly the Dean for Discovery and Experi­mental Research across Mayo Clinic and the founder of Cambridge Genetics, a drug discovery com­pany that succeeded through a series of mergers. Dr. Russell is credited with orchestrating the first-in-human testing of oncolytic measles and vesicular stomatitis viruses.

About Vyriad

Vyriad is a clin­i­cal-stage bio­technology com­pany devel­op­ing novel oncolytic virus ther­a­pies for the treat­ment of cancers that have sig­nif­i­cant unmet need. Vyriad's oncolytic immunovirotherapy prod­ucts are based on the com­pany's engi­neered Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitus Virus (VSV) and Oncolytic Measles Virus plat­forms that enable selective destruction of cancer cells without harming normal tissues. Vyriad's prod­uct devel­op­ment pipe­line encompasses multiple clin­i­cal- and pre­clin­i­cal-stage pro­grams that target a broad range of cancer indi­ca­tions as well as pro­grams that pair the com­pany's oncolytic viruses with other cancer immuno­therapy modalities, traditional cancer ther­apy, and newer targeted ther­a­pies. In addi­tion, Vyriad is devel­op­ing novel diagnostic/ theranostic tests for more accurate prediction of immuno­viro­therapy response. Clinical trials using the com­pany's oncolytic viruses are under way at Mayo Clinic and the University of Arkansas. For more in­for­ma­tion, please visit www.vyriad.com.

Source: Vyriad.