# KaliVir Immunotherapeutics

> KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for cancer. Its proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET) platform engineers vaccinia viruses that can be delivered intravenously, replicate selectively in tumors, and express therapeutic payloads that reshape the tumor microenvironment. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the company advances an internal lead candidate, VET3-TGI, alongside partnered programs licensed to Astellas Pharma and Roche.

- **Founded:** 2019
- **Headquarters:** Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- **Founders:** Stephen H. Thorne (Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer)
- **Team size:** ~28 employees
- **Products:** VET Platform, VET3-TGI, ASP1012 (formerly VET2-L2)
- **Notable:** Closed a $15M Series A led by a top-tier South Korean VC syndicate in March 2022., Secured global exclusive licensing agreements with both Astellas Pharma and Roche., Received FDA IND clearance for ASP1012 (2023) and for VET3-TGI (2024).

## Products & services

- **VET Platform** — Proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template platform that integrates multiple genetic modifications to maximize viral replication, enable intravenous (systemic) delivery, and express therapeutic transgenes matched to tumor immunophenotypes.
- **VET3-TGI** — Internal lead oncolytic immunotherapy candidate designed to destroy tumor cells while activating immune response via a payload combining interleukin-12 (IL-12) and a TGF-beta inhibitor; in Phase 1 STEALTH-001 study for advanced solid tumors.
- **ASP1012 (formerly VET2-L2)** — Systemic oncolytic vaccinia virus delivered intravenously, expressing a Leptin-IL2 fusion protein payload; exclusively licensed to and led by Astellas Pharma; in Phase 1 trials for locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

## Achievements

- Closed a $15M Series A led by a top-tier South Korean VC syndicate in March 2022.
- Secured global exclusive licensing agreements with both Astellas Pharma and Roche.
- Received FDA IND clearance for ASP1012 (2023) and for VET3-TGI (2024).
- Completed the first cohort of the Phase 1 STEALTH-001 study of VET3-TGI.
- Issued three new U.S. patents covering VET product candidates in 2024.
- Opened its own GMP cleanroom facility to expand oncolytic virus manufacturing capacity.

## Latest updates

- **2025-11** — Announced a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Roche to evaluate VET3-TGI in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in advanced solid tumors.
- **2024-11** — Strengthened its portfolio with three new U.S. patents covering VET product candidates.
- **2024-07** — Received FDA IND clearance for oncolytic immunotherapy VET3-TGI for solid tumors.
- **2023-10** — Received FDA IND clearance for systemic oncolytic virus ASP1012 for Phase 1 trials in locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

## Links

- Website: https://kalivir.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/kalivir-immunotherapeutics
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/kalivir_immuno

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Last updated: 2026-07-11