What is Oncorus?
Oncorus is dedicated to transforming outcomes for cancer patients through innovative viral immunotherapies. The company leverages two core platforms: its Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Platform, designed for enhanced systemic activity with direct tumor administration to maximize local concentrations and minimize systemic toxicities, and its selectively self-amplifying viral RNA (vRNA)/lipid nanoparticle (LNP) Immunotherapy Platform, which combines RNA and oncolytic virus modalities for advanced cancer treatment. The lead HSV program, ONCR-177, is engineered for intratumoral delivery, while lead IV-administered vRNA immunotherapy candidates, ONCR-021 and ONCR-788, are in IND-enabling studies.
How much funding has Oncorus raised?
Oncorus has raised a total of $243.5M across 4 funding rounds:
Series A
$57M
Series B
$79.5M
Stock Offering
$87M
Debt
$20M
Series A (2016): $57M with participation from MPM Capital, SunStates Fund, Long March Investment Fund, Arkin Bio Ventures, Celgene, Inc, Excelyrate Capital, and Deerfield
Series B (2019): $79.5M led by Surveyor Capital, SV Investment Corp, UTC Investment, QUAD Investment Management, Shinhan Investment-Private Equity, IMM Investment, Perceptive Advisors, Cowen Healthcare Investments, and Sphera Funds
Stock Issuance/Offering (2020): $87M, investors not publicly disclosed
Debt (2022): $20M featuring K2 HealthVentures
Key Investors in Oncorus
Perceptive Advisors
Founded in 1999 and based in New York, NY, Perceptive Advisors is an investment firm managing around $7 billion in assets, focused on funding innovative healthcare and life sciences technologies.
Cowen Healthcare Investments
Founded in 1918, Cowen is headquartered in New York City, New York. They are an independent financial services firm with services including investment banking, research, investment management, and more.
Deerfield
Deerfield Management is an investment firm focused on advancing healthcare through investment, intelligence, and philanthropy. The firm supports companies across the healthcare ecosystem with flexible funding models and drives innovation using AI, data, and market research.
What's next for Oncorus?
The recent major strategic investment signifies a critical juncture for Oncorus, likely enabling the company to accelerate its clinical development pipeline and further validate its innovative therapeutic platforms. This capital infusion is expected to support the progression of ONCR-177, ONCR-021, and ONCR-788 through crucial stages of clinical trials, bringing them closer to potential market approval. The company's focus on both intratumoral and intravenous delivery methods positions it to address a broad spectrum of cancer indications, potentially solidifying its role as a key player in the evolving landscape of oncology therapeutics.
See full Oncorus company page
