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Transforming Healthcare
Our Vision
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Find out about immunotherapy
and how it works
How it works
Immunotherapy has demonstrated the ability to effectively combat cancer and offer renewed hope for patients. By leveraging the body's own immune system, this approach activates and enhances its natural defense mechanisms to specifically target and eliminate cancer cells.
With its potential to transform the landscape of cancer treatment, immunotherapy presents a compelling opportunity for investors that want to give back and contribute to a better future.
One prominent example is Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, where a patient's T cells are genetically modified (by using lentiviral vectors) to express receptors that specifically target cancer cells, enabling the immune system to recognize and eliminate the cancer more effectively.
Dr. Robert Weinkove on TED

Dr. Robert Weinkove
is Clinical Director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in Wellington, New Zealand.
After studying medicine at the University of Cambridge and Kings College London, Rob trained in Haematology in London, and in Germany, before moving to New Zealand in 2008 and gaining a doctorate at the University of Otago.
Rob is a key member of the Cancer Immunotherapy Program to develop and manufacture ‘Chimeric Antigen Receptor’ (CAR) T-cells for treatment of lymphoma and other blood cancers. He also holds a joint role as a Hematologist at Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre.
Lentiviral Vectors in CAR-T
Responsible for transforming T-cell into CAR-T
Their unique biological properties, such as efficient gene transfer, the ability to integrate genes into a host's genome for stable expression, and capacity to transduce non-dividing cells make them an essential component in the successful application of CAR-T therapies.
Lentiviral vectors have a large gene-carrying capacity, permitting the accommodation of complex CAR genes, and exhibit reduced immunogenicity, minimizing potential immune reactions that could impact the efficacy of the therapy.
FDA approved CAR-T
There are currently 6 FDA approved CAR-T therapies
As of May 2023, there are 6 approved CAR-T drugs: Abecma, Breyanzi, Kymriah, Tecartus, Yescarta, and Carvykti; four of which use lentiviral vectors.
There are a number of other CAR-T therapies that are currently in clinical trials. Some of these therapies are targeting different antigens than the ones that are currently approved, and others are designed to be more specific or to have fewer side effects.
Dr. Marina Rajič - Founder and CEO of BioViros

"They key is that we are not alone. We have a strong network of partners that can cater for the entire journey from the first step of targeting the cancer to the last where patients get treatment. This enables us to develop with the necessary speed.
With passion and expertise from our leadership team we feel that BioViros and our partners can change the way we think about cancer within a few years."
Lentiviral vectors key role in CAR-T therapy
- Efficient Gene Transfer
- Integration into the bodies own genome
- Ability to Transduce Non-Dividing Cells
- Large Packaging Capacity
- Reduced Immunogenicity
The Trans-Pacific Partnership
New Zealand is a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This can have the following benefits.
- Reduced tariffs among member countries
- Enhanced intellectual property rights
- Regulatory coherence streamline regulations among member countries
- Easier access to markets of all member countries
- Supply chain efficiency
- The TPP includes provisions that protect foreign investments
- Higher labor and environmental standards
Consider BioViros as Investment
News
We are growing our team
We are currently looking for applicants to register their interests for the following roles:
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Research Lab Technician
- Project Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Upstream Process Operator
- Downstream Process Operator
- Quality Control Inspector
- Production Technician
Visit our Career Page
Our Team
We encourage qualified career seekers to join our team.

Lab Team

Hannah Pearce, Ph.D.
Biotech Development Scientist

Sofia Grey
Process Development Assistant

Isabella Lovalvo
Student Intern - Berkeley, California

Ellie Torbati, Ph.D.
Biotech Research Scientist

Management

Marina Rajič, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO

Tom VanCott, Ph.D.
Director, Chairman

Saum Vahdat
Director

John Robson
Director

Advisors

Farzad Haerizadeh, Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor

Stephen Chang, Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor

Rick Hancock
Strategic Advisor