New connections for precision cancer therapies

Reprogramming protein and immune cell interactions to disrupt cancer

Orionis is a clinical-stage life sciences company pioneering the development of novel precision medicines.

Our drug modalities – including molecular glues, cytokines, and cell engagers – harness the body’s natural defense mechanisms to fight cancer more effectively.

Reprogramming protein, cell, and immune connections to target cancer

We discover, design and engineer molecules that connect proteins on and within cells to reprogram disease-driving processes or activating immune responses.

Protein-Protein Connection
Allo-Glues®

Allo-Glues® are small molecule drugs [●] that connect two or more proteins. Drug-induced interaction between an effector protein [●] and a traditionally hard-to-drug target protein [●] can trigger target modulation, inhibition or degradation.

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Protein-Cell Connection
A-Kines®

A-Kines® are conditionally active cytokine biologics. Their modified cytokine [●] portion exerts an effect through its receptor only when the A-Kine is connected to a target cell [●] through a cell-specific surface marker [●]. This precision targeting harnesses immune signaling without triggering off-target effects.

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Cell-Cell Connection
Cell Engagers (MCEs)

Multimodal cell engagers (MCEs) are biologics [●] that connect two or more specified cells, such as an effector cell [●] (e.g., CD8+ T cell or NK cell) with a target cell [●] (e.g., tumor cell). The resulting synapse directs immune cells to modulate or eliminate the target cell. Optional A-Kine components can be included to fine-tune or amplify immune signals.

 

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Protein-Protein Connection
Allo-Glues®
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Protein-Cell Connection
A-Kines®
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Cell-Cell Connection
Cell Engagers (MCEs)
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In clinical trials: Designer cytokines
Orionis’ first-in-class targeted interferons, interleukins and tumor necrosis factors are designed to activate the cancer immunity cycle while avoiding the systemic exposure and toxicities seen with traditional cytokine therapies.
ORB-011
A-KINE®
PHASE 1
INDICATION
ONCOLOGY – SOLID TUMORS
TARGET
DC1
RIGHTS
ORIONIS BIOSCIENCES

ORB-011 is an A-Kine® that is designed to bind to and selectively activate the tumor antigen presenting immune cell cDC1. Effector function is encoded by a specialized, on-target conditionally active interferon. Interferon is a potent promoter of cDC1 activities associated with tumor antigen presentation-mediated activation of CD8 T cells. Activated cDC1 cells may also communicate with and promote activity of NK cells, thus engaging both adaptive and innate immune mechanisms. cDC1 activation initiates antitumor response in both tumor microenvironment and tumor draining lymph nodes. ORB-011 is in a Phase 1 open-label dose escalation study for patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors. The trial (NCT05947474) is designed to provide initial safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic readouts.

ORB-021
A-KINE®
PHASE 1
INDICATION
ONCOLOGY – SOLID TUMORS
TARGET
NK AND MDSC CELLS
RIGHTS
ORIONIS BIOSCIENCES

ORB-021 is an A-Kine® that is designed to bind to and selectively modulate the function of tumor and immune cells that express the PD-L1 checkpoint marker. Antitumor activity of ORB-021 invokes activation of natural killer and dendritic cells, and inhibition of myeloid derived suppressor cells [MDSCs]. MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment are highly immune suppressive, and prevalent in “cold” tumors that are refractory to standard cancer (immuno)-therapies. ORB-021 is in a Phase 1 open-label dose escalation study for patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors. The trial (NCT06607939) is designed to provide initial safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic readouts.

Partnerships

We collaborate with industry and academic leaders across a range of diseases including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. These collaborations with world-class institutions validate the disruptive potential and therapeutic promise of our platforms. They also enable us to leverage diverse experiences in next-generation developments of our proprietary OrionisBio™ technology and R&D engines.