What Vyro Bio does

Vyro Bio is a pre-clinical Brazilian biotechnology company founded in 2021 in São Paulo, developing a proprietary oncolytic virus therapy platform for malignant Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors in adult and pediatric patients. The company was founded by scientists from the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL) at the University of São Paulo, including CEO/CSO Dr. Carolini Kaid, who has been studying the Zika virus since 2018. Its core technology is a genetically modified Zika virus (referred to internally as Oryvik) with reformulated RNA that retains the virus's natural tropism for neural stem cells, enabling it to cross the blood-brain barrier, selectively infect and destroy cancer stem cells within CNS tumors, and activate a local anti-tumoral immune response while sparing healthy neurons. Preclinical data published in Molecular Therapy (Cell Press) in February 2024 demonstrated complete tumor remission in mouse models, marking the first time a genetically modified Zika virus showed efficacy and safety against brain tumors.

The company is currently advancing through ANVISA's regulatory guidance program (selected in July 2024) toward clinical trial approval, with human trials reported as expected from mid-year. It is also participating in the CNPEM Deeptechs Acceleration Program (PACE) for 24 months, gaining access to infrastructure including the Sirius particle accelerator. Vyro has no commercial revenue and does not publicly disclose pricing; its future revenue model is expected to rely on therapeutic licensing or direct commercialization to healthcare providers and oncology centers following regulatory approval, with stated interest in incorporation into Brazil's SUS (Unified Health System). To date the company has raised approximately $2.6M across three funding rounds, primarily from Vesper Ventures, and employs a small team of 1-10 specialists.

Name

Vyro Bio

Legal name

Vyro Bio

Website

https://vyrobio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vyro Bio is a São Paulo-based pre-clinical biotechnology company developing a proprietary genetically modified Zika virus therapy that selectively targets and destroys malignant central nervous system tumors in adult and pediatric patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncolytic Virus Biotherapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Oncology Gene Therapies (incl. oncolytic vectors & gene-modified approaches) (HLAAACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Neurology/CNS Gene Therapies (HLAAACAH)

Keywords

• Oncolytic virus therapy
• CNS tumor therapeutics
• Viral immunotherapy platform
• Genetically modified Zika
• Brain cancer treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Oncolytic Virus Therapeutic: Vyro is developing a proprietary oncolytic virus therapy (Zika Virus-based) for the treatment of malignant CNS tumors. As a pre-clinical stage biotech company, it does not yet generate revenue. Future revenue is expected to come from therapeutic product licensing or direct commercialization following regulatory approval.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vyro Bio is a pre-clinical Brazilian biotechnology company developing a proprietary genetically modified Zika Virus (ZIKV)-based oncolytic therapy platform. The platform is designed to selectively target, infect, and destroy malignant Central Nervous System (CNS) tumor cells in adults and children, including glioblastoma, while sparing healthy neurons. The modified virus crosses the blood-brain barrier, recruits local immune cells, and has demonstrated complete tumor remission in preclinical mouse models published in Molecular Therapy (Cell Press).

Product overview

Vyro Bio is a biotechnology company developing a single oncolytic virus therapy platform based on a proprietary genetically engineered Zika virus. The platform is designed to treat malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors in adults and children, including glioblastoma. The therapy harnesses the natural tropism of Zika virus for neural stem cells (which are also present in CNS tumors) and modifies it through genetic engineering to be safe and selective for cancer cells only.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oncolytic Zika Virus Therapy Platform A proprietary genetically modified Zika virus (also referred to as Oryvik) designed to selectively target and kill malignant CNS tumor cells while sparing healthy neurons and cells. The platform is intended for adult and pediatric patients with malignant CNS tumors, including glioblastoma, where it crosses the blood-brain barrier, activates anti-tumoral immune responses, and demonstrates tropism to the tumor border and cancer stem cells. Currently in pre-clinical regulatory approval with ANVISA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Complete tumor remission demonstrated in preclinical mouse models with synthetic Zika Virus
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CNPEM (National Center for Research in Energy and Materials)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Vyro was selected as one of five startups for the Deeptechs Acceleration Program (PACE) promoted by CNPEM. Over 24 months, Vyro will receive specialized technical support and access to CNPEM's state-of-the-art infrastructure including the Sirius particle accelerator. The kick-off meeting took place on July 25th at the CNPEM campus. 32 startups from 7 states and the Federal District applied.
• ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Vyro was selected by ANVISA to participate in a regulatory guidance program for innovative startups developing medications. This initiative provides crucial support for regulatory compliance and accelerates delivery of therapeutic solutions. The program is aligned with Brazil's National Strategy for the Development of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex and ANVISA's Innovation Policy.
• ABIQUIFI (Brazilian Association of Pharmaceutical Inputs Industries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIQUIFI promotes and fosters ANVISA's Innovation Policy and partnered with Sail for Health to create the regulatory guidance program for innovative startups. Vyro is participating in this initiative.
• Sail for HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSail for Health partnered with ABIQUIFI to promote the regulatory guidance program for innovative startups in health, in alignment with ANVISA's Innovation Policy.
• Sindusfarma, RBIF (Brazilian Network of Pharmaceutical Innovation), Biominas BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSindusfarma, RBIF, and Biominas Brasil jointly organized the Inovo Award, which recognized Vyro in the Promising Health Company category, demonstrating recognition of Vyro's contributions to pharmaceutical innovation in Brazil.
• Hospital Sírio LibanêsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDra. Caroline Chaul, Oncologist and Scientist at Hospital Sírio Libanês, participated in media filming with Vyro's CEO/CSO, Dra. Carolini Kaid, for a Rede Bandeirantes program about Vyro's lab and research.
• BiotimizeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFernando César Barbosa, Co-Founder and CEO of Biotimize, participated in Open Conference discussions with Vyro, discussing shared purposes and challenges that biotechnology startups face. Both companies are developing innovative biotechnologies in Brazil.
• MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVyro participated in multiple Open Conferences and events organized by MCTI to discuss 'Biotechnology as a Tool for a Fair, Sustainable, and Developed Brazil.' Vyro also participated in the 5th CNCTI preparatory events. MCTI expressed support through these initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PsiOxus Therapeutics: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing oncolytic virus enadenotucirev (tumour-selective adenovirus) and the NG-350A platform. Comparable as a developer of engineered oncolytic viruses for solid tumors, though focused on systemic delivery rather than CNS.
• Replimune Group: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing a portfolio of oncolytic viruses (RP1, RP2, RP3) based on a proprietary herpes simplex virus platform. Comparable as a direct oncolytic virus developer with multiple programs in clinical development, though targeting different tumor types.
• DNAtrix: Clinical-stage biotech developing oncolytic virus DNX-2401 (tasadenoturev) for glioblastoma and other CNS tumors. The most directly comparable peer — same indication (malignant gliomas), same modality class (oncolytic virus), and similarly focused on crossing the blood-brain barrier.
• TILT Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing oncolytic adenoviruses armed with cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-2) to enhance anti-tumor immune response. Comparable as a developer of armed oncolytic viruses for solid tumors, with similar mechanism of combining direct tumor killing with immune activation.
• Istari Oncology: Clinical-stage company developing PVSRIPO, a live attenuated poliovirus-based immunotherapy for glioblastoma and other solid tumors. Direct competitor in CNS tumor oncolytic immunotherapy with Phase II data, comparable modality class to Vyro's approach.

Emerging players

• Plus Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing targeted radiotherapeutics (not direct virus, but comparable CNS oncology focus) for glioblastoma and other CNS tumors. Comparable as a small-cap CNS oncology developer facing similar clinical and commercial challenges in a high-unmet-need indication.
• Genelux Corporation: Clinical-stage company developing oncolytic vaccinia virus (Olvi-Vec) for solid tumors, including ovarian cancer and other indications. Comparable as a clinical-stage oncolytic virus developer with a distinct viral backbone (vaccinia vs. Zika).
• VCN Biosciences: Barcelona-based clinical-stage biotech developing oncolytic adenoviruses (VCN-01) for solid tumors, including pancreatic and pediatric retinal cancers. Comparable as a smaller, emerging European oncolytic virus developer in the broader modality class.
• Cold Genesys: Clinical-stage company developing oncolytic adenovirus CG0070 for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and other solid tumors. Comparable as an emerging oncolytic virus developer, though focused on different indications than Vyro's CNS focus.

Broad incumbents

• SillaJen: Clinical-stage Korean biotech developing pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec), a thymidine kinase-deleted vaccinia virus for solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma. Comparable as a more advanced, larger oncology company in the oncolytic virus field.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/vyrobio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

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 Vyro Bio