Cancers and viruses evade the immune system by developing DRUG RESISTANCE. Drug resistance is caused by frequent mutations that change surface protein structure, function, and exposure. Drugs that target proteins require frequent re-engineering and testing. However, sugars and lipids are immutable signatures of viruses and cancers. Our solution to drug resistance is a pan-therapeutic that targets Man9 (a sugar) and PS (a lipid).

Our lead product VIT-GLT is an engineered bispecific molecule that can binds Man9 and PS. VIT-GLT binding to pathogens can block viral entry to cells, prohibit replication and mark them for destruction by the immune system. VIT-GLT binding to circulating tumor cells (CTCs) which express high levels of Man9 can potentially block metastases and induce elimination of protein-heterogeneous CTCs associated with poor cancer prognosis and drug resistance.

VITRUVIAE has carefully designed VIT-GLT to be safe for pediatric use, effective and sustainable. As an oral biotherapeutic, VIT-GLT is safer and can easily be deployed and distributed worldwide, eliminating health disparities, and increasing compliance. As a mutation agnostic therapeutic, VIT-GLT manufacturing and development is straightforward and can be stockpiled for medical countermeasures to pandemics and bioterrorism. VIT-GLT can be radiolabeled or fluorescently labeled for use as both a cancer diagnostic and the first infectious disease probe, that will allow researchers to study new viruses and provide insights into long term disease due to infection.

Development Plan

Intellectual Property

VITRUVIAE fully owns IP on all its technologies, including a patent on composition of matter and methods of use for VIT-GLT.