Vivacitas Oncology

What Vivacitas Oncology does

Vivacitas Oncology is a privately-held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. The company develops next-generation camptothecin-based chemotherapy compounds for solid tumors that have proven resistant to existing treatment modalities, with primary focus on recurrent glioblastoma and secondary indications in colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancers.

Its lead candidate AR-67 is a third-generation, fully synthetic, highly lipophilic Topoisomerase-1 inhibitor supported by a proprietary chemical synthesis method that decouples manufacturing from seasonal plant-derived raw materials. Phase II data in recurrent glioblastoma reported progression-free survival of 6–29 months with a favorable toxicity profile relative to standard treatments, and AR-67 has received FDA Orphan Drug Designation for glioblastoma. The company also holds Rubitecan (Orathecin), a second-generation oral camptothecin previously administered to over 900 patients in prior clinical development.

Vivacitas is pre-revenue and operates with a 1–10 person footprint. Its business model relies on equity financings (notably a $1M DSS Biomedical investment and a $3M Form D offering in 2021) to fund ongoing clinical development, with an explicit stated goal of pursuing a strategic partner, licensing deal, or acquisition following positive Phase II results. The company distributes no products itself, relying instead on contract research organizations, a medical advisory network drawn from institutions including Duke, Harvard, Dana-Farber, and Columbia, and event-driven outreach at BIO CEO, SAPA, SNO, and the Glioblastoma Drug Development Summit to build visibility with prospective pharmaceutical partners.

Name

Vivacitas Oncology

Legal name

Vivacitas Oncology, Inc.

Website

https://vivaoncology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-stage Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rare Oncology & Hematologic Malignancy Therapies (HLAIAIAC), Neuro-Oncology (HLAKAFAH), Gastroenterology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAE)

Keywords

• Clinical-stage oncology therapeutics
• Camptothecin drug development
• Glioblastoma pharmaceutical pipeline
• Solid tumor chemotherapy
• Biopharmaceutical drug pipeline

Headquarters

HQ city

Walnut Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Development and Licensing: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The company is seeking strategic partners and investors to fund continued development of AR-67 through clinical trials toward regulatory approval. Successful Phase II results may lead to strategic exit through partnership or acquisition by larger pharmaceutical company.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vivacitas Oncology is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation synthetic camptothecin-based chemotherapies for treatment-resistant solid tumors. Its lead candidate, AR-67, is a third-generation lipophilic silatecan (Topoisomerase-1 inhibitor) targeting recurrent glioblastoma, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancers, supported by a proprietary patented synthesis platform. A second pipeline asset, Rubitecan (Orathecin), is a second-generation oral camptothecin with prior clinical exposure in over 900 patients.

Product overview

Vivacitas Oncology is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with two pipeline assets: AR-67, a third-generation synthetic Camptothecin-based compound and lead development candidate targeting improved efficacy and tolerability for multiple solid tumors including glioblastoma, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic and NSCLC; and Rubitecan (Orathecin), a second-generation oral Camptothecin representing the second asset in the pipeline. The company focuses on transforming select chemotherapies to address potency, toxicity, stability, and pharmacokinetic challenges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AR-67 AR-67 is a third-generation, fully synthetic camptothecin-based compound developed as a novel lipophilic small molecule targeting improved efficacy and tolerability for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (reGBM), colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic cancer, and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). It is intended for oncology patients with treatment-resistant solid tumors and for healthcare providers seeking improved chemotherapy options.
• Rubitecan (Orathecin) Rubitecan (Orathecin) is a second-generation oral camptothecin acquired after being given to over 900 patients, showing promising results as second-line defense therapy for solid tumors. It is intended for oncology patients with treatment-resistant solid tumors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Progression-free survival of 6-29 months in recurrent glioblastoma patients (Phase II data)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Image Analysis Group (IAG)coreTechnology or Integration · 3 May 2021Vivacitas partnered with IAG to apply AI technology and advanced imaging strategies for the development of AR-67 in recurrent glioblastoma patients. IAG's proprietary Dynamika™ platform is being used for AI-assisted tumor volumetric analysis to more accurately assess patient responses to AR-67 treatment. The collaboration includes retrospective analysis of imaging data from Phase 2 clinical studies.
• International Infusion Advisors, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Vivacitas' partnership with International Infusion Advisors, LLC via its investment arm Infusion 51a is anchored in a common mission to develop disruptive technologies aimed at improving the quality of life of cancer patients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DelMar Pharmaceuticals / Kintara Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing therapeutics for recurrent glioblastoma (VAL-083 / dianhydrogalactitol). Same target indication, same clinical-stage position, same strategic exit dependency as Vivacitas with AR-67 — the most directly comparable peer.
• Diffusion Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage company developing treatments that address the tumor microenvironment, with a primary focus on glioblastoma (trans-sodium crocetinate / TSC). Same target indication (recurrent GBM), similar clinical-stage size, and similar partnership-or-exit strategic orientation.
• Karyopharm Therapeutics: Oncology small-molecule developer with an approved drug (XPOVIO / selinexor) and a pipeline targeting solid tumors including glioblastoma. Closely comparable as a clinical/commercial-stage oncology small-molecule company tackling tough-to-treat cancers via novel mechanisms.

Broad incumbents

• Daiichi Sankyo: Developer of irinotecan (CPT-11, a first-generation camptothecin analog) and broader oncology portfolio. Directly comparable as the originator of the camptothecin drug class on which AR-67 is built; would be a natural strategic acquirer.
• Pfizer: Sells irinotecan (Camptosar) under license and operates a major oncology franchise. Direct overlap on the camptothecin mechanism; representative of the strategic-acquirer set for a late-Phase-II GBM asset.
• Novartis: Developer/marketer of topotecan (Hycamtin), another camptothecin analog. Operates a deep oncology franchise and is a recurring acquirer/in-licensor of late-stage oncology assets comparable to AR-67.
• GlaxoSmithKline: Original developer of topotecan and a large oncology franchise with a track record of acquiring or in-licensing late-stage oncology assets. Comparable as a strategic acquirer with relevant camptothecin and CNS-oncology experience.

Emerging players

• Lingea Pharmaceuticals: Reference placeholder for emerging oncology small-molecule developers that compete in the same indication space but at different stages; representative of regional or niche clinical-stage oncology peers with overlapping target tumor types.
• Mustang Bio: Clinical-stage company developing CAR-T and gene therapies for hematologic cancers and solid tumors including GBM (MB-101, IL13Rα2-targeted CAR-T). Same target indication (glioblastoma), comparable clinical-stage size and strategic exit orientation, but with a different modality — useful as a benchmarking peer.
• PharmAbcine: Clinical-stage oncology company developing novel therapeutics for solid tumors including brain cancers (bevacizumab biosimilar / olinvacimab). Comparable as a small-cap clinical-stage oncology peer with a similar out-licensing-or-partnership growth model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vivacitas-oncology-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vivacitas Oncology