ONCR-719

ONCR-719 is an armed oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector developed by Oncorus for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The vector is specifically engineered to utilize the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and its variant EGFRvIII for viral entry, ensuring selective targeting of tumor cells which highly express these receptors. To overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment characteristic of GBM, ONCR-719 is armed with four distinct immunomodulatory payloads: interleukin-12 (IL-12), an anti-PD-1 nanobody, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD), and a macrophage-modulating Fc-enhanced antibody. The virus incorporates fusogenic mutations to enhance viral spread and oncolysis, alongside a microRNA attenuation strategy to improve safety. Development was paused in 2022 pending further financing or strategic partnerships.