Infinitopes Raises $35 Million to Propel Cancer Vaccine Development and Transform Patient Care

Infinitopes Secures Major Seed Funding

Infinitopes, a pioneering biotechnology firm specializing in cancer vaccines, has recently announced the successful completion of its second seed funding round. This crucial financing, which totaled $35.1 million, was co-led by notable investors such as Octopus Ventures and Amplify Bio, with additional participation from Macmillan Cancer Support and existing stakeholders including Cancer Research Horizons and Manta Ray Ventures.

The newly-acquired funds will significantly enhance the clinical development of ITOP1, Infinitopes' advanced precision cancer vaccine designed to prevent recurrence in patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. This area has traditionally seen limited clinical solutions, intensifying the critical need for innovative therapies. The Phase I/IIa VISTA trial, which marks the company's inaugural first-in-human clinical trial, is set to take place in several prominent NHS university cancer centers in the UK.

Expert Insights

Jonathan Kwok, the CEO of Infinitopes, expressed excitement about the addition of Amplify Bio to their funding roster. He highlighted that this investment paves the way for their promising Phase I/IIa trial, which aims to provide proof-of-concept for their AI/ML-precision targeted vaccination strategy. "We aspire to lead the charge in offering groundbreaking medicines that instill hope for patients facing cancers with significant unmet medical needs," Kwok stated. He anticipates unveiling their preliminary findings at major medical conferences later in the year.

Elliot Hershberg from Amplify Bio emphasized the current critical juncture for cancer vaccines, noting the distinctive position Infinitopes holds in leveraging rigorous AI-backed immunomics profiling combined with a scalable off-the-shelf vector and a clear clinical strategy. This could redefine the landscape of immunotherapy and precision oncology in the future, according to Hershberg.

A Strong Foundation

Infinitopes, backed by Cancer Research UK and the University of Oxford, is at the forefront of developing immunologically effective vaccines targeting various solid tumors. Their lead candidate, ITOP1, is on track to commence Phase I/IIa trials following the approval of its Clinical Trial Application by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The company has already made significant strides, amassing a team of 20 full-time employees from just three academic co-founders, and has established a prominent presence at Oxford University's BioEscalator innovation hub.

Additionally, Infinitopes has been recognized with maximum-sized awards from Innovate UK, securing a Cancer Therapeutics Award in 2022 and a Future Economy Investor Partnership award in 2023. These accolades underscore the company's commitment to innovation and its potential impact on the cancer treatment landscape.

With the continuous advancement of ITOP1 and the supportive backing from influential investors, Infinitopes is well-positioned to contribute significantly to the field of cancer immunotherapy. The upcoming clinical trials will be pivotal not only for the company's trajectory but also for improving treatment options for patients facing tough battles against cancer.