The science behind CaniVax
CaniVax is developing new cancer treatments in dogs based on antigen discovery, immune activation, and translational studies seeking to gain clinical insights that benefit your dog.
Scientific rationale
A central challenge in cancer immunotherapy is not immune activation itself, but the lack of precise immune focus on tumour-defining antigens that can drive sustained, and targeted antigen-specific T-cell responses.
In many cancers, immune responses exist, yet the responses are often diffuse, transient, or misdirected. Tumour cells express a complex mixture of antigens, making it difficult for the immune system to prioritise targets that are both cancer-specific and therapeutically meaningful.
Tumour-specific antigens
CaniVax's proprietary platform is centred on the systematic identification of tumour-specific antigens expressed only in canine cancers, focusing on high incidence and unmet clinical need. Using tumour-derived material and established analytical approaches, candidate antigens are identified based on selective association with cancer cells relative to normal tissue.
Discovery efforts prioritise antigens that are selective for the tumour and are suitable for enhancing the immune response and thereby form the backbone of the cancer vaccine.
Immune relevance and T-lymphocyte focus
Not all tumour-associated antigens are capable of supporting effective immune responses. CaniVax therefore places immune activation at the centre of target antigen selection, with a particular focus on antigens that can drive antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses.
This immune-guided prioritisation step is designed to ensure that vaccine development is focused on antigens most likely to support durable and targeted anti-tumour immunity, overcoming any problems that might occur through specific immune activation.
Vaccine design and antigen content
Cancer antigens that are selected through discovery and immune prioritisation become incorporated into vaccines designed to present tumour-defining signals clearly to the immune system. Vaccine design is informed by AI platforms and proprietary algorithms, creating an optimised design most suited to the canine immune system.
The objective is to guide the dog's immune response toward cancer-specific antigens, supporting a focused immune response against the tumour while minimising off-target effects.
Translational development strategy
CaniVax follows a scientifically-driven translational development framework that links cancer antigen discovery with clinical evaluation. Early stages in our vaccine development focus on antigen validation and immune characterisation, followed by progressive evaluation in veterinary clinical settings under appropriate regulatory guidance.
Antigen priority decisions are data-driven at each stage, allowing programmes to advance and be refined based on supporting scientific data.
Clinical Access and Trials
If you are a veterinary professional or the family of a dog with cancer and are interested in our investigational medicines, please contact us to discuss potential clinical access or participation in one of our formal clinical trials.
Contact Us
Dog owners and veterinary professionals can use this form to learn more about CaniVax medicines in development, including potential clinical access and participation in clinical trials.
Tell us briefly about your dog, patient or clinical interest, and we will contact you to discuss the relevant programme and whether an appropriate route may be available.
Submitting this form does not guarantee access to treatment.
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Photo credit © Adrian Baughan - Oxford Dog Photography.