KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KaliVir Immunotherapeutics does
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, developing next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. The company's core technology is the proprietary VET™ (Vaccinia Enhanced Template) backbone, a modified vaccinia virus platform incorporating multiple proprietary genetic modifications to enable systemic (IV) delivery and expression of therapeutic transgenes in tumors. A distinguishing feature of the platform is the use of B cells as IV delivery vehicles — chemokine receptor-expressing vaccinia virus infects circulating B cells, which traffic toward tumors expressing matching chemokines while protecting the virus from neutralizing antibodies. The pipeline is led by VET3-TGI, a candidate combining TGF-β inhibition with IL-12 expression to overcome tumor immunosuppression, currently in Phase 1/1b trials (STEALTH-001) for incurable, advanced solid tumors. A second clinical program, ASP1012, received FDA IND clearance in October 2023 for Phase I evaluation in locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Targeted indications include hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and other advanced solid tumors in patients who have failed checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
The company's business model is enterprise B2B licensing rather than direct product commercialization. KaliVir monetizes its platform through strategic licensing agreements that grant pharmaceutical partners exclusive rights to develop and commercialize VET™-derived product candidates in exchange for upfront payments, development and regulatory milestone payments, and royalties on future sales. Two anchor partnerships anchor the revenue base: a worldwide exclusive license with Astellas Pharma (December 2020) for VET2-L2, and a global exclusive license with Roche (May 2022) for novel oncolytic viruses. A November 2025 clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Roche extends the relationship to combination evaluation of VET3-TGI with atezolizumab (Tecentriq). The company is funded through a March 2022 Series A round led by Premier Partners LLC with participation from Korean VCs (Company K Partners, Quad Investment Management); the round amount was not disclosed. As a pre-commercial entity, KaliVir sells nothing directly to patients or providers and relies entirely on pharma partners for downstream development and commercialization.
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
- Legal name
- KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
- Website
- https://kalivir.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Oncology Gene Therapies (incl. oncolytic vectors & gene-modified approaches) (HLAAACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA) (HLAAAEAD), Therapeutic Vaccines (e.g., Cancer/Chronic Infection) (HLAIAEAG), Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy) (HLAAAEAB)
Keywords
Where KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing and Partnership Revenue: KaliVir generates revenue through strategic licensing agreements and co-development partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. The company grants exclusive rights to its VET™ technology platform and product candidates in exchange for upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on future sales.
- Milestone Payments: Revenue from development and regulatory milestones achieved during clinical development of licensed product candidates. This includes IND clearances, clinical trial phase completions, and regulatory approvals.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics develops systemically deliverable oncolytic viral immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, built on its proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET™) platform. The platform engineers vaccinia viruses to use B cells as intravenous delivery vehicles, enabling systemic administration that protects the virus from neutralizing antibodies while targeting metastatic tumors. Lead clinical-stage product candidates include VET3-TGI (combining TGF-β inhibition with IL-12 expression) and ASP1012, both advancing in Phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors.
Product overview
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is developing a pipeline of next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for cancer treatment based on its proprietary VET (Vaccinia Enhanced Template) platform. The company's lead product candidate is VET3-TGI, which combines TGF-beta inhibition and IL-12 expression for enhanced anti-tumor immunity. Additional pipeline products include ASP1012, another systemic oncolytic virus in clinical development. The VET platform serves as the foundational technology enabling systemic delivery of oncolytic vaccinia viruses to tumors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- VET3-TGI demonstrates potent therapeutic activity in multiple preclinical tumor models, blocking TGF-beta signaling and activating type-2 IFN responses
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- RochecoreClinical trial collaboration and supply agreement to evaluate VET3-TGI in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) in advanced solid tumors. This represents a significant validation of the VET3-TGI product candidate and enables combination therapy development with a leading checkpoint inhibitor.
- RochecoreGlobal exclusive licensing agreement for novel oncolytic viruses. This partnership grants Roche rights to develop and commercialize certain oncolytic viral therapies derived from KaliVir's technology platform.
- Astellas PharmacoreWorldwide exclusive licensing agreement for development and commercialization of VET2-L2 novel oncolytic virus. KaliVir granted Astellas rights to develop and commercialize this specific product candidate globally.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PsiOxus Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncolytic virus company developing enadenotucirev (T-SIGn platform) and NG-350A armed with anti-CD40 antibodies. Direct peer developing transgene-armed OV immunotherapies for solid tumors.
- Vyriad: Clinical-stage oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) company with systemic IV-delivered OV programs (Voyager-V1) for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Direct peer competing on systemic OV delivery.
- Oncorus: Clinical-stage developer of oncolytic virus immunotherapies using both intratumoral (ONCR-177) and IV-delivered (ONCR-719) platforms based on HSV and synthetic virotherapy approaches—a direct competitor in the systemic OV delivery space.
- Replimune: Clinical-stage oncolytic virus company developing RP1, RP2, and RP3 (HSV-based platform) for solid tumors with checkpoint inhibitor combinations. Most directly comparable next-generation OV peer, though Replimune's viruses are delivered intratumorally versus KaliVir's systemic approach.
- Genelux Corporation: Clinical-stage oncolytic virus company developing GL-ONC1 (Olvi-Vec) and next-generation vaccinia-based immunotherapies. Competes with KaliVir in vaccinia-vectored OV immunotherapy for solid tumors.
- Turnstone Biologics: Clinical-stage oncolytic virus company developing a maraba virus prime-boost platform (now evolving toward tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy). KaliVir's CMO James Burke led initial Phase 1–2 development of Turnstone's maraba program, and CDO Pelusio was SVP of Clinical Operations there.
- SillaJen (Jennerex): Developed Pexa-Vec (pexastimogene devacirepvec), the most clinically advanced vaccinia-based oncolytic virus, including a Phase 3 HCC program. KaliVir's founders, CSO, CMO, CRO, and CDO all previously held senior roles at Jennerex/SillaJen, and VET uses a vaccinia backbone—a direct lineage peer.
- DNAtrix: Clinical-stage developer of oncolytic adenoviruses (DNX-2401, DNX-2440) for brain tumors and other solid tumors. Direct peer in the OV immunotherapy category with differentiated viral platform.
- Targovax: Clinical-stage developer of ONCOS-102, an oncolytic adenovirus for mesothelioma and other solid tumors. Direct peer in transgene-armed OV immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitor combinations.
Broad incumbents
- CG Oncology: Late-stage oncology company focused on cretostimogene (oncolytic adenovirus) for NMIBC. KaliVir's CRO Ursula Fritsch was previously CRO at CG Oncology, making it a peer in the broader oncolytic immunotherapy category.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceKaliVir Immunotherapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics 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 KaliVir Immunotherapeutics
What does KaliVir Immunotherapeutics do?
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics develops systemically deliverable oncolytic viral immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, built on its proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET™) platform. The platform engineers vaccinia viruses to use B cells as intravenous delivery vehicles, enabling systemic administration that protects the virus from neutralizing antibodies while targeting metastatic tumors. Lead clinical-stage product candidates include VET3-TGI (combining TGF-β inhibition with IL-12 expression) and ASP1012, both advancing in Phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors.
Is KaliVir Immunotherapeutics a public or private company?
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was KaliVir Immunotherapeutics founded?
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KaliVir Immunotherapeutics based?
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does KaliVir Immunotherapeutics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Licensing and Partnership Revenue is the primary driver. The others are milestone Payments.
Who are KaliVir Immunotherapeutics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PsiOxus Therapeutics, Vyriad, Oncorus, Replimune, Genelux Corporation, Turnstone Biologics, SillaJen (Jennerex), DNAtrix and Targovax. CG Oncology is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does KaliVir Immunotherapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for KaliVir Immunotherapeutics.
What industry is KaliVir Immunotherapeutics in?
KaliVir Immunotherapeutics's product category is Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAF, Oncology Gene Therapies (incl. oncolytic vectors & gene-modified approaches), with a secondary code of HLAAAEAD, Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.