Matica Bio, a CDMO Leader in Oncolytic Virus Manufacturing, Partners with Calidi Biotherapeutics to Advance Calidi's Project Toward IND
Rhea-AI Summary
Matica Bio (CDMO) and Calidi Biotherapeutics (CLDI) announced a strategic partnership on Nov 3, 2025 to advance Calidi's lead oncolytic candidate CLD-401 toward an IND filing. Under the agreement, Matica will provide analytical development, process development, and GMP manufacturing to support IND submission for CLD-401, a tumor-tropic oncolytic vaccinia designed for systemic delivery, tumor-restricted replication, immune priming, and high intratumoral expression of an IL-15 superagonist.
Matica will leverage its purpose-built GMP facility in College Station, Texas, and prior oncolytic virus program experience to support Calidi's clinical advancement of the RedTail platform candidate.
Positive
- Signed CDMO agreement to support IND filing for CLD-401
- Matica's purpose-built GMP facility in College Station available
- Integrated AD, PD and GMP services committed to Calidi program
- Matica has executed multiple prior oncolytic virus programs
Negative
- IND filing for CLD-401 remains pending (pre-IND stage)
- No financial or commercial terms disclosed in the agreement
News Market Reaction 2 Alerts
On the day this news was published, CLDI declined 0.65%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -11.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 2 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $55K from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $8M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
This collaboration reinforces Matica Bio's growing reputation as one of the few CDMOs globally with proven, end-to-end capabilities, especially in oncolytic virus manufacturing. The company has successfully executed multiple oncolytic virus programs at its state-of-the-art, purpose-built GMP facility in
"Matica Bio has become a sought-after partner especially in the oncolytic virus space because of our technical expertise, regulatory readiness, and track record of delivering seamless development-to-GMP manufacturing programs," said Paul Kim, CEO of Matica Bio. "We're excited to work with Calidi on this breakthrough program and continue advancing next-gen cancer immunotherapies."
Calidi's CLD-401 is part of its differentiated RedTail platform. RedTail utilizes an engineered form of extracellular enveloped vaccinia virus that is resistant to immune clearance, can be administered systemically with tropism for metastatic sites, and can deliver genetic medicine payloads to the tumor microenvironment. CLD-401 has potent oncolytic and immune priming effects and also specifically delivers IL-15 superagonist at high levels to the tumor microenvironment.
"Matica Bio stood out as the clear CDMO of choice for Calidi project due to their deep experience with viral vector and their ability to handle complex viral programs with precision," said Eric Poma, CEO of Calidi Biotherapeutics. "The team and facility give us full confidence as we prepare for IND filing and clinical advancement."
With an increasing number of biotechs developing virotherapies, the demand for CDMOs capable of managing these highly specialized programs is growing. Matica Bio's flexible manufacturing model, integrated process and analytical development, and deep viral vector expertise—including AAV, LVV, and oncolytic viruses—make it a preferred partner for innovative CGT developers worldwide.
About Matica Biotechnology, Inc.
Matica Biotechnology is a viral vector Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that leverages advanced technologies at its purpose-built cGMP facility. With industry-leading expertise in process development, assay development, and cGMP manufacturing, Matica Bio serves as a trusted partner, seamlessly supporting its clients with streamlined operations throughout every stage of projects. Collaborating across multiple Matica sites worldwide, Matica Bio delivers excellence in the CDMO domain through innovations such as MatiMax™ proprietary cell lines, in-line process monitoring, and single-use technologies.
To learn more about Matica Bio, please visit www.maticabio.com.
About Calidi Biotherapeutics
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company pioneering the development of targeted therapies with the potential to deliver genetic medicines to distal sites of disease. The company's proprietary Redtail platform features an engineered enveloped oncolytic virus designed for systemic delivery and targeting of metastatic sites. This advanced enveloped technology is intended to shield the virus from immune clearance, allowing virotherapy to effectively reach tumor sites, induce tumor lysis, and deliver potent gene therapies to metastatic locations.
The lead candidate from the Redtail platform, currently in IND-enabling studies, targets non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and other tumor types with high unmet medical need. Additionally, Calidi is developing protected virotherapies, in clinical-stage, for intratumoral and localized administration, focusing on a subset of injectable cancer indications.
Calidi Biotherapeutics is headquartered in
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SOURCE Matica Biotechnology, Inc.
FAQ
What did Matica Bio and Calidi announce on Nov 3, 2025 regarding CLD-401 (CLDI)?
How will Matica Bio support Calidi's IND filing for CLD-401 (CLDI)?
What is CLD-401 and how does it work according to the Nov 3, 2025 announcement?
Does the announcement include financial terms or a timeline for CLD-401 IND submission (CLDI)?
Why did Calidi choose Matica Bio as CDMO for CLD-401 (CLDI)?
