Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI), a clinical-stage biotech company, has made notable strides in its mission to develop systemic oncolytic targeted immunotherapies, as detailed in a recent shareholder letter from CEO Eric Poma, PhD. The letter highlights the company's transformative year, marked by operational streamlining and advancements in its RedTail platform, a systemically delivered virotherapy targeting metastatic cancers.
Under the leadership of Dr. Poma, appointed in April 2025, and the addition of Dr. Guy Travis Clifton as Chief Medical Officer, Calidi has focused on advancing its pipeline, including the RedTail platform. Preclinical data presented at prominent conferences such as AACR and ASCO have demonstrated the platform's tumor selectivity and immune modulation potential, sparking partnership discussions and IND-enabling studies for its lead candidate, CLD-401. The company anticipates filing an IND for CLD-401 by the end of 2026.
Additionally, Calidi has opened an IND for its intratumoral virotherapy, CLD-201, with Phase I trials expected to commence by the end of the year. These developments underscore the company's commitment to addressing unmet needs in oncology through innovative therapies.
Financially, Calidi reported a strong position at the end of Q1, with $10.6 million in cash and a significantly reduced burn rate. This financial stability supports the company's strategic focus on rapidly advancing its pipeline while enhancing shareholder value.
The progress outlined in the shareholder letter not only reflects Calidi's dedication to advancing cancer treatment but also highlights the potential impact of its therapies on patients worldwide. By focusing on systemic and intratumoral virotherapies, Calidi is at the forefront of developing next-generation immunotherapies that could transform the oncology landscape.
