Valo Therapeutics Oy, a biotechnology company based in Helsinki, has raised €19 million to further its research in cancer immunotherapy. The funding, obtained from investors in Europe and Australia, will support clinical trials and the development of its immunotherapy platform. The company has focused on enhancing immune responses against cancer using virus-based technologies and aims to demonstrate its effectiveness in upcoming trials. With operations expanding into Italy, the firm is also strengthening its research presence in the region.
Valo Therapeutics has previously attracted investments to develop its PeptiCRAd platform, which utilizes tumour antigen-coated viruses. Past funding efforts have allowed the company to refine this approach, moving it closer to clinical applications. The latest funding round signifies continued investor confidence in the company’s advancements and its potential in cancer treatment. The shift toward clinical trials marks a critical phase in validating the platform’s effectiveness.
What is Valo Therapeutics developing?
The company’s leading platform, PeptiCRAd, modifies oncolytic adenoviruses to enhance immune responses against solid tumours. The technology was originally developed at the University of Helsinki under the guidance of Professor Vincenzo Cerullo. PeptiCRAd-1, the main candidate, consists of the proprietary virus VALO-D102 combined with MAGE-A3 and NY-ESO-1 peptides, designed to trigger a systemic immune reaction against cancerous cells. Additionally, the company is advancing PeptiCHIP, a diagnostic tool for identifying tumour-specific antigens from small biopsy samples.
How will the funding be used?
A portion of the investment will be directed toward completing a Phase 1B clinical trial in multiple countries, including Italy, Australia, and Germany. The company has also established Valo Therapeutics Italy Srl in Naples, where it will conduct patient enrollment, treatment procedures, and virus manufacturing for further development. Research collaborations with institutions in Southern Italy are also planned as part of this initiative.
“We are very excited to secure this investment and be backed by Indaco Venture Partners, via the specialised Biotech fund, and two large Italian Institutional investors, CDP and ENEA Tech e Biomedical,” said David Hinton, Chair of Valo.
The investors emphasize the project’s potential in immuno-oncology and its strategic significance in building Italy’s biotech industry. CDP Venture Capital sees the investment as a way to strengthen local talent and contribute to advancements in cancer immunotherapy. ENEA Tech e Biomedical also highlighted its role in supporting research and attracting foreign investments to Italy.
“This investment represents a great opportunity to strengthen the biotech innovation ecosystem in Italy, harness local talent, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge solutions in cancer immunotherapy,” said Francesca Ottier, Senior Partner and Head of Italia Venture II Fund at CDP Venture Capital.
Valo Therapeutics’ research aligns with ongoing efforts to improve cancer treatment through immunotherapy. While traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have limitations, virus-based immunotherapies offer a different approach by stimulating the body’s immune system to target tumours. The success of PeptiCRAd in clinical trials could provide an additional option for patients with solid tumours.
The latest funding marks an important step for Valo Therapeutics as it continues clinical development. If the trials demonstrate positive results, the technology may progress to larger-scale studies, potentially leading to regulatory approvals. Investors remain optimistic about the platform’s potential impact on oncology, while the company’s expansion in Italy strengthens its research and development capabilities. The outcomes of these trials will determine the next steps for Valo Therapeutics and its immunotherapy products.
