MT PLEASANT, S.C. — November 25, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Innova Therapeutics has acquired Enci Therapeutics, including its main cancer therapeutic program, IVT-8086, according to a recent announcement. IVT-8086 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2 (SFRP2), which is often expressed in solid and hematological cancers.
The terms of the agreement and financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. IVT-8086 is the only cancer therapeutic of its kind to target multiple cell types associated with cancer, including the tumor, and multiple components of the tumor microenvironment. The therapeutic targets endothelial cells, T-cells, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) through a common pathway.
IVT-8086 is a first-in-class mAb designed to antagonize the SFRP2 pathway. SFRP2 is secreted by tumor and endothelial cells and activates the non-canonical Wnt/Calcium (Ca2+) signaling cascade, a pathway involved in angiogenesis, cell survival, cell growth and proliferation, cell migration and invasion, oncogenesis, and metastasis in cancer.
In preclinical models, blocking SFRP2 with IVT-8086 induces multiple antitumor effects, including a significant reduction in tumor burden in primary and metastatic tumors. It also reduces the expression of CD38 and PD-1 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), inhibits angiogenesis, and increases interferon gamma (IFNγ) in TAMs, which leads to macrophage repolarization and an increase in the M1/M2 ratio.
The SFRP2 pathway’s high expression across various solid and hematologic malignancies positions IVT-8086 as a potential therapy for multiple cancer types, both as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Validation confirms SFRP2 as a critical molecular target, with expression levels strongly correlating with patient outcomes. A diagnostic assay is also under development to potentially serve as a marker for early cancer detection, a prognostic tool for assessing therapeutic benefit, and an indicator for cancer recurrence risk.
Robert Ryan, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Innova Therapeutics, said the acquisition marks a pivotal step for Innova Therapeutics in its commitment to pioneering novel cancer therapies. Dr. Ryan noted 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.
Dr. Ryan added that the cancer treatment platform has the highest potential to change the paradigm of treatment for patients with many types of solid and hematological cancers, resulting in long-term survival. He also noted the extensive global patent protection through 2042 and beyond gives the platform a high commercial value, both as monotherapy and in combination.
Nancy Klauber-DeMore M.D., Co-founder of Enci Therapeutics, said 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.
Innova Therapeutics is a Charleston, South Carolina-based biotechnology company developing a monoclonal antibody (mAb) platform targeting a protein highly expressed in solid cancers and shown to correlate with patient outcomes. The lead humanized mAb, IVT-8086, is initially focused on targeting cancers including pediatric osteosarcoma, sarcomas, breast cancer, multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer.
Enci Therapeutics was co-founded by Nancy Klauber-DeMore M.D., FACS, Professor of Surgery Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Dr. Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, Former Provost University of Arkansas Medical Center, to identify and develop monoclonal antibody therapies for cancer.
Dr. Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, can be contacted at rryan@innovatherapeutics.com or (919)-274-0703.
Source: Innova Therapeutics
