VGXI to Manufacture Key Component for Sutro’s Cancer Drug Trial

• VGXI, a plasmid DNA CDMO, will partner with Sutro Biopharma to produce luveltamab tazevibulin (luvelta) for clinical trials.

• Luvelta targets Folate Receptor-α in cancers, with potential benefits for 80% of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.

VGXI a contract developer and manufacturer specialising in plasmid DNA, has announced a strategic partnership with Sutro Biopharma, Inc., to support the clinical production of a novel cancer treatment, luveltamab tazevibulin, also known as luvelta. This antibody-drug conjugate is designed to target Folate Receptor-α (FRα), a protein often overexpressed in certain cancers.

Sutro Biopharma, which specializes in site-specific and novel-format antibody-drug conjugates, has recently begun the randomized phase of a global clinical trial for luvelta in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. VGXI will provide cGMP plasmids for use in Sutro’s proprietary cell-free expression system to manufacture the drug. The clinical activity of luvelta suggests it could meet a significant need for patients with low to medium FRα expression.

Young Park, CEO of VGXI, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Our expertise in large-scale cGMP plasmid production will be instrumental in advancing Sutro’s promising therapy through its late-stage clinical trial evaluation and towards commercialization.”

Dr. Venkatesh Srinivasan, Chief Technical Operations Officer at Sutro Biopharma, also commented on the collaboration, highlighting VGXI’s role in enabling their cell-free manufacturing platform to operate at a commercial scale as their lead product candidate moves into registrational clinical studies.

VGXI’s facilities and technologies are well-equipped to produce high-quality cGMP plasmid materials, essential for the rapid development of these treatments. The partnership aims to expedite the availability of luvelta to patients, addressing an urgent medical need in the field of oncology.