• Vivtex to apply its GI-ORIS™ technology to optimize oral bioavailability of EQ302, Equillium’s novel IL-15/IL-21 bi-specific peptide therapy
• Equillium targeting initiation of Phase 1 study investigating EQ302 in 2H 2025

Vivtex Corporation (“Vivtex” or “the Company”), a biotech company aiming to transform the development of oral biologic therapies for major diseases, announces that it has entered a research and licensing agreement with Equillium, Inc. (“Equillium”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

The research collaboration is focused on the application of Vivtex’s unique and proprietary AI-enabled GI-ORIS™ screening and formulation platform technology to develop an optimized oral version of Equillium’s EQ302, a first-in-class bi-specific peptide inhibitor of IL-15 and IL-21 in development for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation. Under the agreement, Equillium has the option to enter into a license agreement under which Vivtex may be eligible for royalties and other payments. No financial terms are disclosed.

EQ302 inhibits IL-15 and IL-21, two cytokines important in the pathophysiology of a range of GI disorders, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac Disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis. An optimized GI-targeted, oral formulation of EQ302 has the potential to revolutionize treatment options for patients suffering with GI disorders by combining a strong anti-inflammatory effect with improved convenience and patient compliance compared to current biologic therapies. Equillium is targeting a first-in-human Phase 1 trial to begin in 2H 2025.

With a growing number of biotech and pharma collaborations, Vivtex is emerging as a leader in oral biologics delivery and has successfully delivered on multiple internal and external therapeutic programs. Vivtex’s technology has the ability to improve the oral bioavailability of peptides multiple fold beyond what current technologies can accomplish and is providing peptide drug developers with renewed hope to create oral therapeutics.

Maureen Deehan, CEO of Vivtex, commented: “This collaboration with Equillium expands our portfolio of projects and speaks to the strength and potential of our GI-ORIS™ technology. Together, we are redefining what is possible with orally available peptides and are confident that this partnership will accelerate efforts to offer more effective, accessible, and less burdensome treatment options to patients.”

“This partnership underscores our confidence in Vivtex’s ability to model complex gastrointestinal environments and provide critical insights to advance the development of EQ302 for oral delivery,” said Stephen Connelly, Chief Scientific Officer at Equillium.