Neovacs has formed a collaboration with Professor Robert Kerbel and his team at the Sunnybrook Research Institute of Toronto, Canada for preclinical development of Neovacs’ VEGF Kinoid, specifically to obtain the proof of concept for the treatment of colorectal and ovarian cancer.

The Neovacs technology presents a new therapeutic opportunity for these types of cancers where the VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor) protein plays an important role in the vascularization of the tumor. The Neovacs approach, based on active immunotherapy, aims to enhance the immune system of the patient by enabling it to produce self-polyclonal antibodies, which will selectively target and neutralize the cytokine VEGF-A. For these types of cancer the neutralization of VEGF-A could prevent tumor growth and development of metastases.

“Our cooperation with Neovacs demonstrates the commitment of the Sunnybrook Research Institute to contribute to the development of innovative therapies in cancer. Thanks to this agreement we hope to enable patients suffering from a colorectal or ovarian cancer to benefit from an innovative and potentially very efficient therapy,” said Mr. Kerbel.

Geraldine Grouard-Vogel, chief scientific officer, Neovacs, said, “This partnership with an internationally respected scientific research center, the Sunnybrook Research Institute, demonstrates the interest shown by the scientific community towards our technology.”