Vivtex and Equillium Collaborate on GI-Targeted Oral Peptide Therapy

Vivtex Corporation, a biotech company based in Cambridge, MA, USA, and Schlieren, Switzerland, has entered into a research and licensing agreement with Equillium, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology firm. This collaboration aims to leverage Vivtex's proprietary AI-enabled GI-ORIS™ screening and formulation platform to develop an optimized oral version of Equillium’s EQ302. EQ302 is a first-in-class bi-specific peptide inhibitor targeting IL-15 and IL-21, which are crucial cytokines involved in gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation.

The initiative is focused on creating a GI-targeted oral formulation of EQ302, which is currently being developed to treat various GI disorders like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac Disease, and Eosinophilic Esophagitis. The optimized oral version aims to offer a strong anti-inflammatory effect while improving convenience and patient compliance compared to existing biologic therapies. Equillium plans to initiate a first-in-human Phase 1 trial for this formulation by the second half of 2025.

Vivtex is establishing itself as a leader in the field of oral biologics delivery. The company has successfully executed multiple therapeutic programs, both internally and in collaboration with other biotech firms. Vivtex’s technology significantly enhances the oral bioavailability of peptides, thereby offering new possibilities for peptide drug developers to create effective oral therapeutics.

Maureen Deehan, CEO of Vivtex, expressed optimism about the partnership with Equillium, stating that it broadens their project portfolio and highlights the potential of their GI-ORIS™ technology. She emphasized the collaboration’s role in redefining the possibilities for orally available peptides, aiming to offer more effective, accessible, and less burdensome treatment options for patients.

Stephen Connelly, Chief Scientific Officer at Equillium, echoed Deehan's sentiments, highlighting their confidence in Vivtex’s capability to model complex gastrointestinal environments. He noted that Vivtex's technology would provide essential insights to advance the development of EQ302 for oral delivery.

Vivtex Corporation originated as a spin-off from the labs of Robert Langer at MIT and Giovanni Traverso at MIT and Harvard Medical School. The company is focused on revolutionizing the market for biologic therapies by developing novel oral biologics, including enhanced oral versions of high-value biologic candidates that currently require injection or infusion. Vivtex aims to achieve its mission through strategic partnerships and research collaborations with other biotech and pharmaceutical companies, leveraging its proprietary AI-enabled GI-ORIS™ screening and formulation platform.

Equillium is dedicated to developing novel therapeutics for severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The company's pipeline includes EQ101, a selective tri-specific cytokine inhibitor targeting IL-2, IL-9, and IL-15 for dermatological conditions, and EQ302, an orally delivered bi-specific cytokine inhibitor for gastrointestinal conditions. Equillium also has a monoclonal antibody, Itolizumab, targeting the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway, which is in Phase 3 clinical trials for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and has shown positive results in a Phase 1b clinical study for lupus and lupus nephritis.

Through this strategic collaboration, both Vivtex and Equillium aim to bring advanced, patient-friendly treatments to market, focusing on improving the quality of life for patients suffering from severe GI disorders.