AlloVir

AlloVir is working on the clinical development of novel cell therapies designed to restore T-cell immunity against virus-associated diseases in immunocompromised patients, including stem cell and organ transplant recipients. AlloVir built a technology platform developed by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Cell and Gene Therapy.

Development of their cell therapies involves exposing donor T cells to secreted proteins called cytokines combined with viral fragments so that the immune cells learn to recognize and eliminate certain pathogens. Their therapy Viralym-M (ALVR105) aims to be an allogeneic, off-the-shelf multi-virus specific T-cell therapy targeting six common viral pathogens: Viralym-M completed phase 2 clinical trials in 2014.

ALVR106 is an allogenic off-the-shelf multi-virus specific T-cell therapy in development that targets four common community-acquired respiratory viruses which are respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, parainfluenza virus and human meta-pneumovirus.

Using the approach used for Viralym-M, AlloVir and Baylor College of Medicine are working together to develop an off-the-shelf therapy capable of targeting the COVID-19 causing virus, SARS-CoV-2 and potentially be effective against other similar viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and endemic coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are planned as a monotherapy and coronaviruses are planned to be incorporated into a preclinical stage therapy, ALVR106, aimed at community-acquired respiratory viruses. Viralym-M expects the therapy would improve outcomes for immunocompromised patients exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.