Oxford UK — October 7, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Theolytics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies, has appointed Matilde Saggese, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Saggese will lead clinical development and regulatory activities, including those for the company’s lead asset, THEO-260, which is currently being investigated in UK and US trials for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, utilizing both intravenous (IV) and intraperitoneal (IP) routes of administration.
David Apelian, CEO of Theolytics, expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Saggese’s appointment, highlighting her extensive expertise in medical oncology and her role in driving the clinical strategy for THEO-260 and future clinical pipeline developments.
Dr. Saggese brings over 20 years of experience in treating patients with solid and haematological malignancies, gained at institutions such as Careggi University Hospital, the Royal Marsden Hospital, and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Her experience also includes assignments at Cornell Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the UCL Cancer Institute. She previously held positions at AstraZeneca and Achilles Therapeutics.
Dr. Saggese holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMMS) from the Medical University of Pavia, Italy, a post-graduate School in Medical Oncology (CCT) from the Medical University of Florence, Italy, and a MD (Res) from the Cancer Institute, University College of London, UK.
Dr. Saggese stated her excitement about joining Theolytics, emphasizing the company’s mission to develop innovative therapies for cancer patients and noting the potential of THEO-260 to make a difference for women suffering from ovarian cancer.
Theolytics is focused on developing adenoviral oncolytic immunotherapies and is advancing its lead program THEO-260 in clinical trials. The company has additional preclinical programs for colorectal cancer and haematological malignancies. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Oxford, UK, Theolytics is backed by investors including Taiho Ventures, M Ventures, Oxford Science Enterprises, Epidarex Capital, Sound Bioventures, BGF, and Oxford University Innovation.
THEO-260 is an adenoviral oncolytic immunotherapy designed to target advanced solid tumors and is currently being evaluated in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial (NCT06618235) via intravenous delivery in ovarian cancer patients. A clinical study of THEO-260 administered by intraperitoneal delivery to advanced ovarian cancer patients has also been initiated.
Contact:Theolyticsenquiries@theolytics.comMEDiSTRAVAFrazer Hall, Mark SwallowTheolytics@medistrava.com
Source: Theolytics
