OmniCyte

OmniCyte is a preclinical stage, immunology based, biotechnology company located in Branford CT. Our therapeutics are developed on our proprietary, Targeted Immune Activation, platform technology, which acts though the dendritic cell. The platform consists of a bi-specific protein complex, with a conserved domain that activates an adaptive, as well as an innate, immune response, and a variable domain that is engineered to target numerous tumors and pathogens.

Our first indication is in Ovarian cancer (the fifth greatest cancer killer in women). The platform has demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor growth in syngeneic tumor models expressing target gene. Additionally, the platform has shown activation of t-cell memory. When cured animals are challenged with new tumor, and without additional treatment, tumor growth is inhibited. Initial experiments with our human ovarian therapeutic (Omn007) have been successful in demonstrating a specific cytotoxic T-cell response with tumor infiltration. Proof of concept in ovarian cancer suggests the platform may be re-engineered to be effective against multiple solid tumors.

By re-engineering our versatile platform, we are developing a broad pipeline. We have recently developed a highly effective COVID-19 Vaccine candidate, which, stimulates a robust antibody response, T-cell activation, and does not require an adjuvant, and promises increased durability compared to existing vaccines. Additional infectious disease indications include many viral pathogens (prophylactic and therapeutic). Based upon the success of our vaccine program we have entered into a collaboration with a group at SCRIPPS Research to develop an HIV vaccine. The vaccine design leverages our platform’s ability to activate both a cytotoxic T-cell response and a strong neutralizing antibody response. These responses are targeted against different regions of the HIV virus to create an effective protective response. Utilizing the versatility of our platform, we are also developing therapeutics to treat autoimmune diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Type I Diabetes. This is accomplished by inducing tolerance to the disease-causing autoimmune response. We accomplish this by activating an epitope specific T-reg response.

OmniCyte boasts a strong management team and an even stronger bench of advisors & collaborators including key opinion leaders in oncology, immunology and biotech business. The platform is protected by broad issued patents, US and foreign. To date we have been funded through Connecticut Innovations, The Connecticut University Fund, Angel Investors, NSF and NCI SBIR & STTR, and LLS Translational Research grants and Founder financing.