Trogenix Emerges from Stealth with Precision Gene Therapy Platform to Target Aggressive Cancers

Trogenix Ltd has launched its Odysseus platform, leveraging Synthetic Super-Enhancer (SSE) technology to advance precision viral immunotherapy for aggressive cancers.

The company, founded by 4BIO Capital and Professor Steve Pollard, spun out from the University of Edinburgh and has raised funding from IQ Capital, Cancer Research Horizons, the US National Brain Tumor Society’s Brain Tumor Investment Fund, AIN Ventures, and Old College Capital.

Dr. Ken Macnamara, Chief Executive Officer of Trogenix:

“Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with current therapies often falling short, especially for aggressive solid tumours. We founded Trogenix to transform cancer treatment from chronic disease management to potentially curative one-time treatments. Our Synthetic Super-Enhancer technology represents a significant breakthrough in precision cancer therapy, offering unprecedented selectivity in targeting cancer cells and activating the body’s own immune system against tumours, all while leaving healthy cells untouched.”

The Odysseus Platform and Synthetic Super-Enhancers

At the heart of Trogenix’s approach lies the Odysseus platform, which enables highly precise targeting of cancer cells. This is achieved through Synthetic Super-Enhancers (SSEs)—engineered DNA elements that act as docking stations for transcription factors unique to aggressive cancer cells. By activating only in diseased cell states, SSEs ensure potent and selective gene control.

The platform combines two therapeutic payloads within an AAV vector system:

• Enzyme Therapy: Converts an oral prodrug into a cytotoxic agent within the tumour.
• Immune Activation: Produces IL-12 to stimulate a robust immune response.

Delivered via direct tumour injection, this “Trojan Horse” strategy eliminates the primary tumour while establishing long-term immune memory, preventing recurrence.

See also: Ups and Downs of Adenovirus and Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors in Gene Therapy

The platform’s lead program focuses on glioblastoma (GBM), with preclinical results showing curative responses and persistent anti-tumour immunity, paving the way for Phase 1/2 clinical trials in 2025. The company is also exploring treatments for other cancers, including colorectal cancer liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Professor Steve Pollard, Chief Scientific Officer of Trogenix:

“Our Odysseus platform represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment. By precisely targeting cancer cell states rather than just cell types, we can achieve unprecedented selectivity while activating the body’s own immune system against the tumour. Our preclinical studies in glioblastoma have demonstrated complete responses with no toxicity and evidence of persistent anti-tumour immunity.”

Trogenix has bolstered its leadership with the appointment of Dr. Macnamara as CEO and Tay Salimullah, formerly of Novartis Gene Therapies, to its Board of Directors. Salimullah brings over two decades of expertise in scaling advanced therapies, including his work on Zolgensma.

The company aims to submit five IND applications within five years and plans to explore applications of its technology beyond oncology, such as regenerative medicine.

Topics: Novel Therapeutics