Innova Therapeutics announced that it has completed the acquisition of Enci Therapeutics, adding the company’s lead oncology program, IVT-8086, to its development pipeline. The financial terms were not disclosed.
IVT-8086 is described as a first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that targets Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2 (SFRP2), a pathway highly expressed across numerous solid and hematologic cancers. According to the announcement, SFRP2 plays a role in the non-canonical Wnt/Ca²⁺ signaling process, which influences angiogenesis, tumor growth, cell survival, and metastasis. By blocking this pathway, IVT-8086 demonstrated multiple antitumor effects in preclinical research, including reductions in tumor burden in primary and metastatic settings, modulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, inhibition of angiogenesis, and macrophage repolarization.
The company stated that the broad expression of SFRP2 positions IVT-8086 for potential use both as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Innova is also developing a diagnostic assay tied to SFRP2 expression that could support early cancer detection, prognostic assessments, and recurrence monitoring.
The acquisition supports Innova’s strategic focus on expanding treatment options in solid and hematologic malignancies. The platform technology is backed by global patent protection through at least 2042.
Enci Therapeutics was co-founded by Dr. Nancy Klauber-DeMore and Dr. Cam Patterson to develop targeted monoclonal antibody therapies for cancer. Innova, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, plans to focus early development of IVT-8086 on multiple cancers, including pediatric osteosarcoma, sarcomas, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and pancreatic cancer.
KEY QUOTES
“The acquisition of Enci Therapeutics and IVT-8086 marks a pivotal step for Innova Therapeutics in our commitment to pioneering novel cancer therapies. IVT-8086’s unique mechanism of action, antagonizing SFRP2 and selectively blocking the non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway, holds substantial promise for addressing a spectrum of solid tumors, including pediatric osteosarcoma, sarcomas, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.”
“This cancer treatment platform has the highest potential in my view to change the paradigm of treatment of patients with many types of solid and hematological cancers, resulting in long-term survival. Given the extensive global patent protection (including composition of matter) through 2042 and beyond, the commercial value of this platform is high, both as monotherapy and in combination.”
Robert Ryan, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Innova Therapeutics
“This strategic acquisition of Enci Therapeutics by Innova Therapeutics, centered around IVT-8086, a monoclonal antibody targeting SFRP2, underscores our dedication to advancing treatment paradigms for refractory cancers. The potential of IVT-8086 to disrupt angiogenesis, tumor cell growth and survival, immune system function, and metastasis represents a significant opportunity to improve outcomes for patients facing these challenging diseases.”
Nancy Klauber-DeMore, M.D., Co-Founder, Enci Therapeutics
