VGX-150

VGX-150 is a first-in-class small molecule drug candidate originally developed by VGX Pharmaceuticals (now part of Inovio Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of solid tumors, specifically melanoma. The compound was identified through research into the HIV-1 Viral Protein R (Vpr), a viral protein known to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in mammalian cells. VGX-150 was designed to mimic the pro-apoptotic properties of Vpr to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells. In 2007, a Phase I clinical trial was initiated to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous VGX-150 in patients with treatment-refractory melanoma. Following the 2009 merger of VGX Pharmaceuticals and Inovio Biomedical, the development of VGX-150 was deprioritized in favor of Inovio's DNA immunotherapy platform, and the program is currently considered discontinued.