TAVO

TAVO™ + Electroporation (EP) Gene Delivery

We are developing cytokine-based intratumoral immunotherapies to stimulate the body’s immune system to target and attack cancer.  We have built a deep clinical pipeline utilizing our primary technology, TAVO™ (tavokinogene telseplasmid) as a potential treatment for multiple cancer indications either as a monotherapy or in combination with leading checkpoint inhibitors.  TAVO has the potential to become the first approved therapeutic to address a great unmet medical need: anti-PD-1 non-responders.

TAVO is DNA-based interleukin-12 (IL-12), a naturally occurring protein in the body with immune-stimulating functions. We believe TAVO is administered directly into the tumor using our proprietary electroporation (EP) gene delivery system, which employs a series of momentary energy pulses.  Those pulses are designed to increase the permeability of the cell membrane and facilitate uptake of IL-12 coded DNA into cells.  This non-invasive method is easy to perform and avoids systemic toxicity issues historically associated with IL-12 usage.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that TAVO induces local expression of IL-12, converting immunologically suppressed “cold tumors” into T-cell inflamed “hot tumors” which is fundamental to generating objective responses in both treated and untreated distant tumors.

TAVO is being studied in multiple clinical trials, including a registration-directed pivotal Phase 2 trial in metastatic melanoma and two Phase 2 trials in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and head and neck cancer.  Results from recently completed clinical studies of TAVO have demonstrated a local immune response, and subsequently, a systemic effect as either a monotherapy or combination treatment approach.

OncoSec’s TAVO: Learn From Physicians and Patients How It Works

OncoSec’s TAVO™ plus Electroporation Gene Delivery: Learn From Physicians and Patients How It Works

Key Highlights Include

Safety Profile

In clinical studies, TAVO has shown a favorable safety profile to date and has been generally well-tolerated across multiple treatment cycles.

Anti-Tumor Activity with Abscopal Effect

Data from our Phase II melanoma program provide preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity with a whole body (abscopal) effect, paving the way for expansion of our immuno-oncology pipeline.

Cold to Hot

Data indicates that local delivery and expression of TAVO promotes tumor immunogenicity and increases tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-12 can promote the recruitment of T-cells to the tumor. By driving T-cells or TILs into the tumor microenvironment, TAVO may enhance response to anti-PD-1 and convert anti-PD-1 non-responders to responders.

How It’s Designed to Work

Roll over images to reveal how TAVO is designed to work.

Step 1

Cancer is identified in the body.

Step 2

DNA-based interleukin-12 (IL-12), a naturally occurring protein, is injected directly into the tumor.

Step 3

The applicator supplies a sequence of short-duration electrical pulses through a series of needles.

Step 4

Electrical pulses result in increased permeability of the cell membrane, allowing DNA-based IL-12 to enter.

Step 5

DNA-based IL-12 is expressed in the local tumor microenvironment.

Step 6

Immune cells are educated to recognize the patient’s cancer.

Step 7

Immune cells are educated to recognize the patient’s cancer.

Step 8

Educated immune cells identify and attack tumors throughout the body.

Technology

Our plasmid DNA delivery platform is designed to boost the body’s immune system to target and attack cancer.

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Publications

We are committed to sharing the results of our research and clinical development programs.

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Visceral Lesion Applicator

OncoSec’s investigational VLA is designed to treat non-cutaneous tumors through direct delivery of TAVO.

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