© Boehringer Ingelheim
The startup which was spun off from the University of Innsbruck in 2013 focuses on the development of oncolytic viral therapies serving as an immunotherapy in the fight against cancer. "The acquisition strengthens Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment to research and development of viral-based immuno-oncology treatment options for cancer patients", says Boehringer Ingelheim.
The company has already been involved with ViraTherapeutics since 2016 together with EMBL Ventures. ViraTherapeutics will become a separate unit of Boehringer Ingelheim's research organization. 19 researchers are currently employed at the facility in Innsbruck. Up until now the shares in ViraTherapeutics were held by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fonds, which acquires stakes in innovative startups in the pharmaceutical sector. 22 young companies are currently in the Boehringer Ingelheim portfolio. Boehringer Ingelheim is very strongly committed to both research and production in Austria. The entire cancer research of the company is bundled in Vienna. At present the Group is investing about EUR 700 million in a new biotech production plant in Vienna.
