Kopra Bio Wins $100K Award from QB3 for Proof-of-Concept Development of Breakthrough Viral Therapy for Cancer

Learn more about the QB3 mentoring program here. Applications for the next cohort are due by February 14.

Kopra Bio, a UCSF spinoff developing cancer-specific genetically-engineered viruses to destroy cancer cells, won a $100K award from QB3 following a December pitch session to the early-stage mentor group.

Kopra’s engineered virus, initially developed for glioblastoma, selectively infects and replicates in cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system. In a mouse model, Kopra’s lead therapeutic candidate increased survival rates from 0% in the control group to 90% in the treated group at the three-month mark. With QB3’s support, Kopra will now extend its proof-of-concept work to assess the efficacy of its virus in cell models of breast, ovarian, and colon cancer.

Kopra is led by CEO Andrew Bartynski, a successful serial entrepreneur, working with co-founder and scientific lead Dr. Alexander Haddad — a neurosurgery resident and postdoctoral fellow in the UCSF lab of Dr. Manish Aghi. The proof-of-concept work funded by this award will be carried out in the Aghi Lab.

Andrew and Alex were matched with QB3 mentor Melissa Kotterman, an entrepreneur and investor who has held leading roles at several bio startups including Ignite Immunotherapy and 4D Molecular Therapeutics. (Melissa also advises Sphinxion Therapeutics in the QB3 program.)

“Melissa has been instrumental in helping us plan our next steps, from viral manufacturing to preparing for clinical trials,” said Alex. “Her insights, unwavering support, and ability to navigate complex challenges have proven invaluable to our team’s success.”

“It’s a pleasure working with Alex and Andrew,” said Melissa. “Their viral therapy has a lot of potential to help cancer patients and we look forward to the data they will collect to demonstrate its efficacy in several important indications using the award from QB3.”

“It is QB3’s mission to support California biotech entrepreneurs innovating new medicines and technologies for the public good,” said Kaspar Mossman, QB3’s managing director. “Our mentor group sees a lot of potential in Kopra’s technology and, with Melissa’s guidance, we hope to help Alex and Andrew move their company forward. There’s no doubt cancer patients are waiting urgently for new therapies.”