BeneVir holds an exclusive, worldwide license to develop BV-2711, one of the most promising oncolytic virus platforms available for the treatment of solid tumors. Oncolytic viruses eliminate tumors through two mechanisms: (1) direct killing of cancer cells through tumor-specific viral replication, and (2) induction of an anti-tumor immune response that eliminates metastases. Previous oncolytic viruses were proven safe and effective, but their efficacy was limited because they were recognized as foreign, resulting in premature clearance by the immune system. The BV-2711 platform overcomes this limitation by hiding from the immune system. This promises to maximize viral spread through a tumor and increase therapeutic efficacy by directly killing more cancer cells, leading to production of more tumor and viral material needed to initiate an anti-tumor immune response that can effectively eliminate both the primary tumor as well as distant metastases. BeneVir received two Phase 1 SBIR awards to develop this promising technology for the initial indications of melanoma and glioblastoma.