VerImmune is an emerging biotechnology company advancing a novel virus-inspired platform designed to redirect the body’s existing immune memory toward hard-to-treat diseases. The company participated in RESI JPM as part of the Enterprise Singapore delegation, reflecting Singapore’s growing role as a global hub for biomedical innovation and cross-border collaboration. In this conversation, Founder & CEO Joshua Wang shares insights into VerImmune’s scientific approach, clinical ambitions, and momentum following recognition as an Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) winner.
Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): For readers who are just discovering VerImmune, how do you describe the company and its scientific focus?
Joshua Wang (JW): VerImmune is an IND-enabling stage biotechnology company leveraging the natural architecture of viruses to create a self-assembling Virus-inspired Particle (ViP™) platform for targeted therapeutic delivery of diverse payloads for oncology, autoimmunity, and animal health indications
VerImmune’s lead ViP program, VERI-101, is pioneering a new First-in-Class immuno-oncology paradigm that repurposes existing CMV-specific T-cell memory cells (present in ~85% of adults globally) to recognize and eliminate solid and metastatic tumors in a tumor-type-agnostic manner, either as a monotherapy or in combination with existing standards of care.
CD: What unmet medical need are you targeting, and how does your platform or approach differentiate you in the immunology landscape?
JW: Despite recent blockbuster innovations like checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1) , antibody drug-conjugates and radioligand therapies, resistance to these treatments and other standards-of-care becomes inevitable and cancer recurs. This inevitably creates a large population of post-failure patients with limited to no options.
Hence, the biggest unmet need in oncology remains dealing with such cancer resistance and recurrence.
VerImmune has discovered that within these patient populations, regardless of previous treatment, most patients still retain a robust immunity to viruses.
VerImmune targets this preserved anti-viral immune memory and repurposes it against tumors, bypassing previous mechanisms of immune or genetic resistance.
Since all patients have pre-existing viral immunity (e.g to CMV which is what VERI-101 targets), VerImmune’ s approach represents a distinct and potentially category-defining modality in immuno-oncology, with clear strategic and partnering value in the post-failure setting and most importantly, giving patients one more shot at a treatment opportunity!
CD: What was your experience participating in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM?
JW: As part of the Enterprise Singapore startup delegation from Singapore, participating at the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at JPM RESI 2026 was a high-impact international opportunity as it occurred alongside 90+ other companies from around the world in a forum with concentrated investor and partner visibility. We were truly honored to win 2nd place which provides further external validation of our science, platform, and commercialization strategy before a global audience.
CD: With so many strong companies presenting, what feedback or reactions stood out to you from judges or attendees?
JW: Despite a challenging biotech financing environment, which does not favor highly novel new mechanisms and approaches, we were encouraged that judges and attendees acknowledge the strategic logic that the post-PD1/ADC/RLT failure population still retains active anti-viral immunity. They highlighted the novelty of redirecting intact, non-exhausted viral immune memory rather than attempting to generate new anti-tumor immunity or introduce another small-molecule payload, viewing it as a differentiated and refreshing timely approach.
CD: How has RESI JPM helped advance investors, partners, or industry conversations for VerImmune?
JW: Yes, being recognized as a winner has amplified the visibility of VerImmune’s approach and strengthened its perceived credibility. It has led to increased inbound interest from investors seeking to learn more, rather than relying primarily on outbound outreach.
CD: Where does the company currently stand in terms of funding, partnerships, or key development stages?
JW: We are currently at the IND-enabling stage whereby we have already had a successful pre-IND meeting with the FDA which confirmed alignment on our planned GLP Toxicology studies and CMC manufacturing scale up to GMP clinical material. We are currently working to build up a syndicate to raise our Series A to close this financing which will advance our lead ViP program- VERI-101 into first-in-human clinical trials.
CD: What milestones or inflection points are most important for VerImmune in the coming months?
JW: A key milestone is completing our Series A, which will enable full execution of our ongoing IND-enabling activities and transition VerImmune into a clinical-stage company with VERI-101 advancing into first-in-human studies.
The deadline to apply for the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Europe has been extended to February 23. Applicants are encouraged to act quickly, as submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
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