Where Immunology
Meets Engineering Biology
Microbial Cancer Immunotherapies and Targeted Vaccines
Technology
Using our expertise in engineering biology and immunology, we apply our platform to
prevent infectious diseases (Vaxonella®) and to treat solid tumours (Onconella™).
Vaxonella®
Bacteria are ingested, pass through the stomach and then traverse the lining of the small intestine via microfold cells (M cells) into lymphatic nodules called Peyer’s patches. There they are phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and express the antigen genes. The antigens are processed and presented by the APCs to stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses, including mucosal responses.
Onconella™
In this adaption of our platform technologies, we leverage proprietary genetic engineering interventions to build on the natural ability of our bacterial strains to seek out and colonise solid tumours. We have developed attenuated strains capable of targeting tumours without causing pathology in normal tissues. These Onconella™ strains are also capable of delivering specific immunostimulatory cargo aimed at activating the patient’s immune system to destroy tumours.
Team
- Management
- Board of Directors
- Advisors
Therapeutic
Prophylactic
Pipeline
Program
Indication
Drug Discovery
Preclinical
Early Clinical Development
Late Clinical Development
Vesibax™

NMIBC Therapeutic
Bladder cancer represents 5% of all new cancer cases in the US and accounts for 550,000 new cases yearly worldwide. The clinical staging is determined by the depth of invasion into the bladder wall and more than 70% of cases are diagnosed at an early-stage, also known as Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). Despite the early diagnosis, the only approved therapies are Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), which often faces shortages, and chemotherapy, both delivered intravescically. Because of its high incidence and the low number of treatment options, a huge unmet medical need remains in NMIBC.
NMIBC
Solid Tumours

Undisclosed
Prokarium is investigating the use of engineered bacteria as immunotherapy to treat solid tumours. Onconella has the ability to sense and kill tumour cells and, in addition, to boost the natural anti-tumoral activity of the immune system.
Undisclosed
Entervax™

S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A Vaccine
FIH Phase 1 Readout
1H2021
Enteric fever, a preventable illness caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A, is the most common bacterial bloodstream infection in South Asia. It has been estimated to cause >15 million illnesses and nearly 153,000 deaths worldwide annually.
Entervax™, a novel, oral bivalent vaccine against enteric fever, is based on the Vaxonella® platform and is the combination of our proprietary strain ZH9 (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ZH9), plus a novel strain modified to express antigens specific to S. Paratyphi A.
Enteric Fever
S. Typhi and Paratyphi A
Covid-19
SARS-CoV-2
Pipeline
Program
Phase
Vesibax™
NMIBC

NMIBC Therapeutic
Bladder cancer represents 5% of all new cancer cases in the US and accounts for 550,000 new cases yearly worldwide. The clinical staging is determined by the depth of invasion into the bladder wall and more than 70% of cases are diagnosed at an early-stage, also known as Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). Despite the early diagnosis, the only approved therapies are Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), which often faces shortages, and chemotherapy, both delivered intravescically. Because of its high incidence and the low number of treatment options, a huge unmet medical need remains in NMIBC.
Preclinical
Therapeutic
Solid Tumours
Undisclosed

Undisclosed
Prokarium is investigating the use of engineered bacteria as immunotherapy to treat solid tumours. Onconella has the ability to sense and kill tumour cells and, in addition, to boost the natural anti-tumoral activity of the immune system.
Drug Discovery
Entervax™
Enteric Fever
S. Typhi and
Paratyphi A

S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A Vaccine
FIH Phase 1
1Q2020
Enteric fever, a preventable illness caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A, is the most common bacterial bloodstream infection in South Asia. It has been estimated to cause >15 million illnesses and nearly 153,000 deaths worldwide annually.
Entervax™, a novel, oral bivalent vaccine against enteric fever, is based on the Vaxonella® platform and is the combination of our proprietary strain ZH9 (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ZH9), plus a novel strain modified to express antigens specific to S. Paratyphi A.
Early Clinical Development
Prophylactic
Covid-19
SARS-CoV-2
Drug Discovery
News
- October 27, 2020·
Prokarium Closes $21M Series B Financing Round and Strengthens Board
- July 14, 2020·
Prokarium obtains Notice of Allowance for US patent covering the modification of an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi to develop a vaccine against enteric fever
- April 28, 2020·
Prokarium Signs an Exclusive Option Agreement with the Lausanne University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois – CHUV) for the Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)
- January 6, 2020·
Prokarium appoints New Advisors to Increase Oncology Expertise
- December 20, 2019·
Prokarium appoints Peter McGowan as Chief Financial Officer
- November 26, 2019·
Prokarium announces MHRA acceptance to run a Phase I trial with its lead vaccine candidate Entervax™
- October 8, 2019·
Prokarium Secures £4.6M from Wellcome to Fund the Clinical Development of its Lead Vaccine Programme
- January 10, 2019·
Prokarium starts 2019 with Move to the London Bioscience Innovation Centre
- September 1, 2018·
Prokarium expands its team to develop oncology programmes, appointing Livija Deban as Vice President Immunology and Oncology, and Kristen Albright as Vice President BD and Translational Research
- February 26, 2018·
Prokarium secures $10 million investment from Saudi, Swedish and Korean investors for clinical development of revolutionary thermostable vaccines
- July 25, 2016·
Prokarium Receives £2M in Government Contracts to Develop New Vaccines Against Emerging Diseases and Bioterrorist Threats
- July 15, 2016·