The company has two oncolytic virus platforms – a herpes simplex-based intratumoral injection and a synthetic virus-based intravenous technology for repeat systemic administration.

A late-phase assessment of the oncolytic virus in liver cancer patients was stopped early for futility but Transgene thinks the failure is an isolated event.

AstraZeneca inks a deal with French firm Transgene to co-develop five armed oncolytic vaccinia virus candidates in an area that is hotting up for big pharma.

Recently battered by clinical setbacks, Immune Design has a co-development partnership with Merck around Keytruda and Merck’s Perlmutter is a former board member. Merck would pay roughly $300m to acquire the company and its immune system-boosting technologies.