Synthetic Biologics has announced that VCN Biosciences has received an Orphan Drug Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their therapy, VCN-01, to treat retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the eye that develops from immature cells within the retina and most commonly found in young children. VCN Biosciences’ lead therapy, VCN-01, is an oncolytic adenovirus that is engineered to replicate in tumors and destroy cancer cells. Retinoblastoma has no cure, but treatment options can range from chemotherapy to enucleation (a full removal of the eye). VCN Biosciences is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company that develops next generation oncolytic adenovirus treatments for cancers that have no cure.
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