Apr 09, 2026
3 min read
A single dose of Trogenix's proprietary Synthetic Super Boosters achieved complete tumor eradication in a brain cancer model that closely mimics human glioblastoma, with no toxicity in 83% of treated cases and no tumor recurrence for 11 months to generate durable defense against aggressive brain cancer.
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Trogenix announced that groundbreaking preclinical data demonstrating complete tumor eradication and durable protection in an aggressive brain cancer model has been published in Nature.
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A single dose of Trogenix's proprietary synthetic enhancers achieved complete tumor eradication in 83% of treated cases with no toxicity over 11 months and no tumor recurrence in a brain cancer model that closely mimics human glioblastoma.
Provides compelling proof of concept for Trogenix's dual gene therapy platform, which combines direct tumor killing with immune system activation to produce long-lasting protection against aggressive brain cancer.
The published preclinical data supports the company's transition to a clinical-stage oncology company, with dosing planned for patients in the first clinical trial for glioblastoma in the second quarter of 2026.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 08 April 2026 - Trogenix Ltd ("Trogenix"), a science and technology company dedicated to the development of advanced cancer treatments, today announces the publication of its pre-clinical data in Nature showing complete tumor eradication and protection in a modern model of BM brain cancer.The study is an innovative way to achieve therapeutic responses with long-term safety.vaccine supports GBM, the deadliest form of brain cancer.It hopes to transform the company into a clinical-level oncology center with a number of patients in its first clinical trial for glioblastoma in the second quarter of 2026.
The publication, written by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, the UCL Cancer Institute and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, focuses on Trogenix's proprietary Synthetic Super-Enhancers (SSEs), which are designed to act as selective transcription agents, designed to take advantage of the transcriptional characteristics of the glioblastoma stem cell itself.SSEs, delivered using adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVs), targeting gene networks driven by SOX2 and SOX9 are activated in glioblastoma stem cell patients.The main findings of the study showed that, when given as a single treatment dose, SSEs led to:
Impressive tumor regression within 1-2 weeks and complete tumor removal in 83% of treated cases within 2-3 weeks
Precise immune activation for tumor eradication
No further tumour regrowth after the initial treatment, with no toxicity over the next 11 months
No tumors were found even after re-challenge
In summary, the activity of SSE was determined using new patient GBM tissue samples, showing selectivity in tumor cells but not in healthy brain cells.Proper targeting of glioblastoma cells while preserving normal tissue reduces unanticipated risks and represents a confirmatory step before starting a trial in patients.
Professor Steve Pollard, head of the study at the University of Edinburgh and chief scientific officer of Trogenix, said: "This preclinical work in an aggressive brain tumor model that closely mimics human glioblastoma has achieved what we envisioned - complete tumor eradication and without using our long-standing protection against tumor recurrence in a single dose. We hope that the synthetic Super-Enhancer can destroy tumor cells in a way that has the potential to transform GB and tumor technology. Combining the dual power of induction and immune stimulation can provide a new approach to the treatment of solid tumors.
The dual-targeting method delivers two drugs directly to cancer cells: HSV-TK to directly target the tumor (cytotoxic) and IL-12 to activate the immune system (cytokine), creating synergistic effects as intranasal injections.Teaching the immune system to recognize cancer, turning gene therapy from temporary intervention to permanent protection.
Horizons Cancer Research chief executive Dr Ian Foulkes said: "Every year in the UK, 3,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma, of which 160 live for five years or more. This number is unacceptable and we urgently need better treatment options. Horizons Cancer Research hopes to bring us closer to a world where fewer people die from cancer. Aggressive cancers do occur, and we are excited tosee how their promising science can benefit patients.
This work was funded by Cancer Research UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).Trogenix was issued by the University of Edinburgh in 2024, co-founded by Professor Steve Pollard, based on ten years of research.
The full publication can be accessed in Nature: here
Reference: Koeber U, Matjusaitis M, Alfazema N et al.Synthetic inhibitors enable precise viral immunotherapy
Corresponding author: Steven Pollard
Trogenics integrates the latest technologies in genomics, oncology, immunotherapy and gene therapy to create a revolutionary approach to treatment through its Odysseus® platform.Using proven AAV vectors, our proprietary synthetic super-enhancer (SSE) and linked cargoes are delivered directly to tumor cells without detection.Our SSEs enable unprecedented precision in gene regulation, exposing cancer to the immune system and killing tumor cells.For any cell that evades trogenics technology, our 'Trojan horse' can fight recurrence, thus providing a single treatment for aggressive tumors that provides long-term protection.With our key assets in GBM entering the clinic, we are poised to change the treatment paradigm for many types of cancer.
Trogenix was launched in 2023 based on pioneering research by founding member Professor Steve Pollard at the University of Edinburgh – including his UK Center for Mammalian Synthetic Biology and the Institute for Regeneration and Repair – and the Cancer Research UK Centre.Incubated by 4BIO Capital, additional seed funding was provided by IQ Capital, Cancer Research Horizons, the US National Brain Tumor Society's Brain Tumor Investment Fund, AIN Ventures and the University of Edinburgh's venture capital fund Old College Capital.In addition, Innovate UK awarded an Investor Partnership grant to support Trogenix's preclinical research in hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancer liver metastasis programs.In October 2025, the company closed a £70m/$95m Series A round, led by IQ Capital, with existing and new investors Eli Lilly & Co, Meltwind, LongeVC and Calculus Capital investing.The funding enables the rapid advancement of Trogenix's robust, potentially curative cancer therapies into the clinic across a range of aggressive solid tumors.
