ELIAS Animal Health
ELIAS Animal Health is a Kansas City veterinary biotechnology company that developed ECI®, the first USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma. It combines personalized autologous cancer vaccines with ex vivo activated T cells, distributed through 100+ authorized U.S. veterinary centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersOlathe, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ELIAS Animal Health does
ELIAS Animal Health is a privately held veterinary biotechnology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in the Kansas City metro area (Olathe and Lenexa, Kansas). The company was spun out of TVAX Biomedical, where founder and CEO Tammie Wahaus previously served as CFO, to apply adoptive cell therapy originally developed for human glioblastoma to canine oncology. Its sole commercial product is ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), a two-step personalized treatment: dogs first receive three weekly autologous vaccines manufactured from their own surgically excised cancer tissue to prime the immune system, then undergo leukapheresis so that primed T cells can be ex vivo activated, expanded, and reinfused as killer T cells to attack metastatic disease.
ECI® received full USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics approval in March 2025 as the first-ever adoptive cell therapy licensed for canine osteosarcoma (and the first autologous prescription product under USDA-CVB Product Code 95A7.50). Clinical evidence supporting approval includes the 100-dog ECI-OSA-04 pivotal study, peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and interim ASCENT study data showing 71% one-year survival when ECI® is combined with single-dose carboplatin versus 21% for carboplatin-only, with median survival of 415 days versus 134 days for surgery alone. The pipeline includes V-VET1, a clinical-stage oncolytic vaccinia virus licensed from Genelux Corporation for veterinary cancer indications, plus a Morris Animal Foundation-funded limb-sparing adjuvant study at the University of Missouri.
Commercially, ELIAS operates a one-time, quote-based treatment revenue model in which the personalized product is manufactured at the Lenexa, Kansas facility and administered exclusively through 100+ authorized veterinary treatment centers across the United States — anchored by national specialty chains (VCA, BluePearl, MedVet), multiple university teaching hospitals, and independent specialty oncology practices. Service reach is extended via mobile apheresis partners (BodeVet for national coverage, CTAC for the southeast). The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales directed at veterinary oncologists and specialty hospitals, supported by clinical education, conference presence, content marketing, and patient-story publishing. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; the company is venture-backed, is pursuing a $10 million Series A funding round launched in April 2024, and operates with 1-10 employees.
ELIAS Animal Health firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ELIAS Animal Health
- Legal name
- ELIAS Animal Health
- Website
- https://eliasanimalhealth.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ELIAS Animal Health is a Kansas City veterinary biotechnology company that developed ECI®, the first USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma. It combines personalized autologous cancer vaccines with ex vivo activated T cells, distributed through 100+ authorized U.S. veterinary centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ELIAS Animal Health industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veterinary Biologics
- NAICS
- Veterinary Services (54194)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biologics & Immunotherapies (Non-vaccine) (HLAMAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oncology & Specialty Therapeutics (HLAMAEAJ), Cell & Gene Therapy for Veterinary Regeneration (HLAMANAD)
Keywords
Where ELIAS Animal Health is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olathe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
ELIAS Animal Health business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- ECI® Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment: One-time autologous prescription product sale for canine osteosarcoma treatment. The treatment is personalized for each patient using their own cancer cells and immune cells, manufactured by ELIAS and administered at authorized veterinary treatment centers. Treatment decision must be made prior to surgery to collect cancer tissue for manufacturing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based treatment pricing through authorized veterinary centers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
ELIAS Animal Health product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ELIAS Animal Health develops and manufactures ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), the first USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The treatment combines an autologous cancer vaccine (made from the dog's own cancer cells) with ex vivo activated killer T cells collected via apheresis and reinfused into the patient. ECI® is sold to and administered through a network of over 100 authorized veterinary treatment centers across the United States.
Product overview
ELIAS Animal Health offers a single core product, the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), which is a first-in-class USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma. The treatment protocol consists of two interdependent steps: (1) personalized autologous vaccines administered over three weeks to prime the immune system, and (2) T cell collection via apheresis, ex vivo activation and expansion, and reinfusion to attack cancer cells. The company is also developing V-VET1, an oncolytic vaccinia virus treatment in-licensed from Genelux Corporation, as a pipeline product for broader cancer applications in veterinary medicine. ECI® is available through a network of over 100 authorized treatment centers across the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ECI® (ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy): The company's flagship adoptive cell therapy product for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma, combining an autologous vaccine with activated T cells.
Products and services
- ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) First USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma combining an autologous cancer vaccine with activated T cells, manufactured at ELIAS's facility in Lenexa, Kansas and administered through authorized veterinary treatment centers.
- V-VET1 (Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Therapy) Clinical-stage oncolytic virotherapy candidate in-licensed from Genelux Corporation; a vaccinia viral strain that selectively replicates in cancer cells causing apoptosis, intended for broader veterinary oncology applications.
- Authorized Treatment Centers Network Network of over 100 authorized veterinary hospitals across the United States authorized to administer ECI® treatment, including specialty oncology practices, university veterinary medical centers, and emergency/specialty animal hospitals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 71% 1-year survival rate with ECI® + single-dose carboplatin vs 21% with 4-dose carboplatin only
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ELIAS Animal Health
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ELIAS Animal Health technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ELIAS Animal Health partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Canine Transplant and Apheresis Center (CTAC)coreCTAC in Chattanooga, Tennessee provides apheresis services to veterinary patients undergoing ECI® in the southeast region of the United States. Located inside the Pullen Cancer Center at VCSG, this partnership enables broader access for veterinarians and pet owners in the southeast U.S.
- Genelux CorporationcoreLicensing agreement granting ELIAS Animal Health worldwide rights to development and commercialization of V-VET1 for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer in veterinary medicine. V-VET1 is a clinical-stage vaccinia viral strain that selectively replicates in cancer cells.
- BodeVetcoreCollaboration with BodeVet to expand availability of ECI® treatment via mobile apheresis capabilities. BodeVet offers mobile service enabling veterinary oncologists in most major U.S. cities to incorporate ECI® into their specialty hospital portfolio of oncology services.
- University of MissouricoreLong-standing collaboration with University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jeffrey Bryan and Dr. Carolyn Henry serve as key clinical collaborators. The university conducted the pivotal ECI-OSA-04 study and multiple clinical trials. Researchers from University of Missouri published study results in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
- TVAX BiomedicalmajorDevelopment partner applying the same immunotherapy technology for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in humans. The efficacy and safety data from the canine osteosarcoma study contributed to FDA Fast Track Designation for TVAX's GBM treatment. TVAX and Genelux formed joint venture V2ACT Therapeutics™ focused on human applications.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
ELIAS Animal Health competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dechra Pharmaceuticals: UK-based animal health pharma with a strong specialty and companion animal therapeutics portfolio (acquired by EQT in 2024). Comparable as a broad incumbent in veterinary specialty pharmaceuticals.
- Virbac: French global animal health pharmaceutical company with companion animal and oncology-adjacent product lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent in animal health pharma that may compete or partner around veterinary specialty therapeutics.
- Zoetis: Largest pure-play animal health pharma (NYSE: ZTS) with established veterinary oncology portfolio and global commercial reach. Comparable as the dominant incumbent in animal health pharmaceuticals, though not specialized in cell therapy.
- Elanco Animal Health: Second-largest animal health pharma (NYSE: ELAN), acquired Aratana Therapeutics to build a veterinary oncology presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent now active in veterinary cancer therapeutics through Aratana.
- Vetoquinol: French global animal health pharmaceutical company focused on companion animals and livestock. Comparable as a broad incumbent with companion-animal therapeutic offerings that compete for veterinary clinic shelf space and formulary inclusion.
Emerging players
- Genelux Corporation: Clinical-stage oncolytic virus platform company from which ELIAS in-licensed V-VET1. Comparable as a related emerging player using vaccinia-based oncolytic virotherapy approaches in oncology, with overlapping technology.
Direct peers
- Aratana Therapeutics: Veterinary biotech that pioneered ONCEPT, the first USDA-approved canine cancer vaccine (melanoma), before being acquired by Elanco Animal Health in 2019. Most directly comparable to ELIAS as a developer of USDA-licensed veterinary cancer biologics/immunotherapies.
- VetDC: Veterinary cancer therapeutics company developing targeted biologic and chemotherapy agents for canine lymphoma and other tumors. Closely comparable to ELIAS in size, stage, and focus on veterinary oncology biologics.
- Anivive Lifesciences: Private veterinary biotech developing novel therapeutics for pets, with active oncology programs. Comparable to ELIAS as a small-cap veterinary biotech commercializing cancer and specialty therapies for companion animals.
Others
- TVAX Biomedical: ELIAS's parent entity and development partner applying the same adoptive cell therapy platform to human glioblastoma multiforme (FDA Fast Track). Comparable as a related/sister entity with shared scientific origin and platform economics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ELIAS Animal Health social profiles
Digital presenceELIAS Animal Health compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
ELIAS Animal Health financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ELIAS Animal Health leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ELIAS Animal Health funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ELIAS Animal Health M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ELIAS Animal Health
What does ELIAS Animal Health do?
ELIAS Animal Health develops and manufactures ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®), the first USDA-approved adoptive cell therapy for canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The treatment combines an autologous cancer vaccine (made from the dog's own cancer cells) with ex vivo activated killer T cells collected via apheresis and reinfused into the patient. ECI® is sold to and administered through a network of over 100 authorized veterinary treatment centers across the United States.
Is ELIAS Animal Health a public or private company?
ELIAS Animal Health is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ELIAS Animal Health founded?
ELIAS Animal Health was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ELIAS Animal Health based?
ELIAS Animal Health is headquartered in Olathe, United States, in the North America region.
How does ELIAS Animal Health make money?
One revenue line is on record: ECI® Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment.
Who are ELIAS Animal Health's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Virbac, Zoetis, Elanco Animal Health and Vetoquinol. Genelux Corporation is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Aratana Therapeutics, VetDC and Anivive Lifesciences. TVAX Biomedical is listed as an others.
Does ELIAS Animal Health have an API?
No public API is recorded for ELIAS Animal Health.
What industry is ELIAS Animal Health in?
ELIAS Animal Health's product category is Veterinary Biologics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMAEAK, Biologics & Immunotherapies (Non-vaccine), with a secondary code of HLAMAEAJ, Oncology & Specialty Therapeutics. Its NAICS code is 54194 and its SIC code is 2836.