Fusix Technology
Heating up the tumor
The Fusix technology offers a unique mechanism of action that will revolutionize immune oncology in solid cancers. In addition to direct tumor cell killing effects, the Fusix portfolio of immunotherapeutics excels at converting the tumor microenvironment from an immune suppressed “cold” tumor into an immune-sensitized “hot” tumor infiltrated with immune-stimulatory cells, thereby sensitizing patients to all of the immunotherapy “tools” that are already on the market in rationally designed combination approaches.
Fusix unique mechanism of action
The FUSIX Technology relies on a fusion-based oncolytic virus platform. Below you can see FUB101 in action.
In this timelapse video FUB101 is killing a monolayer of human cancer cells (HCC) within 48 hours through a fusogenic mechanism of action. Infected cells fuse with surrounding tumor cells, creating a chain reaction in which a single infected tumor cell can lead to lysis of hundreds of tumor cells.
The FUSIX technology is based on a hybrid virus construct that combines all of the advantages of both parental platforms while eliminating toxicity in healthy cells. This results in a potent therapeutic platform with an excellent safety profile, significant oncolytic activity, and potent immune-stimulatory properties mediated by fusogenic cell death. This approach not only initiates systemic effects against distant tumor cells, but it also synergizes with other immunotherapeutic approaches.
The Fusix technology offers multiple mechanisms of action
In contrast to other cancer therapeutic approaches, the Fusix technology offers multiple therapeutic mechanisms to destroy the tumor. First, tumor specific vector replication leads to direct cell lyisis. Second, the highly immunogenic mechanism of cell death leads to immune cell activation and priming for a systemic immune response that can attach additional tumor cells throughout the body. Third, through local inflammation in the tumor, other immunotherapeutic approaches are enabled to function synergistically.
Combination Immunotherapy Using the FUSIX Platform
The Fusix technology enables synergistic combination with other immunotherapies, because of their ability to induce immune cell infiltration and breakdown tumor immune tolerance. Additionally, responses against neoepitopes released through immunogenic cell death are raised. This technology offers a potent and flexible platform for sensitizing solid cancer patients to existing immunotherapeutic drugs.
Publications
Marek et al (2023) Oncolytic virotherapy with chimeric VSV-NDV synergistically supports RIG-I-dependent checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Mol Ther Oncolytics
Göbel et al (2022) Cell line screening and process development for a fusogenic oncolytic virus in small-scale suspension culures.
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
Nettlebeck et al. (2021)
Virotherapy in Germany – recent activities in virus engineering, preclinical development, and clinical studies.
Viruses
Krabbe et al. (2021)
Adoptive T Cell Therapy Is Complemented by Oncolytic Virotherapy with Fusogenic VSV-NDV in Combination Treatment of Murine Melanoma.
Cancers – Special Issue
Advances and Future Prospects in Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy
Abdullahi et al. (2018)
A Novel Chimeric Oncolytic Virus Vector for Improved Safety and Efficacy as a Platform for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Journal of Virology
Krabbe T., Altomonte J. (2018) Fusogenic Viruses in Oncolytic Immunotherapy.
Cancers
Göbel et al. (2018)
Process intensification strategies toward cell culture-based high-yield production of a fusogenic oncolytic virus.
Biotechnol Bioeng.