Ep. 33 How Lytix Biopharma Reimagined Host-Defense Peptides as Oncolytic Molecules for Immunotherapy
Tue Jan 06 2026
In this episode of Spark Time!, we speak with Øystein Rekdal, co-founder and CEO of Lytix Biopharma, about how the company reimagined host-defense peptides as a new class of oncolytic molecules for cancer immunotherapy.
Øystein shares the full arc of Lytix’s development, from an academic discovery in Norway to a clinical-stage platform built around locally administered oncolytic molecules designed to activate the immune system where standard treatments fall short. We explore how Lytix isolated and engineered naturally occurring peptides into drug candidates with clinical momentum, and why this approach differs fundamentally from both traditional cytotoxic agents and oncolytic viruses.
The conversation dives into how Lytix’s lead program induces immunogenic cell death, exposes tumor antigens, and initiates a broad immune response that extends beyond the treated lesion. We also discuss the company’s strategic focus on combination and neo-adjuvant settings, its rationale for intratumoral delivery, and how this platform is positioned to address non-responsive solid tumors.
A thoughtful discussion for biotech leaders, investors, and partners interested in differentiated immunotherapy platforms and the strategic decisions required to translate novel biology into real clinical relevance.
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In this episode of Spark Time!, we speak with Øystein Rekdal, co-founder and CEO of Lytix Biopharma, about how the company reimagined host-defense peptides as a new class of oncolytic molecules for cancer immunotherapy. Øystein shares the full arc of Lytix’s development, from an academic discovery in Norway to a clinical-stage platform built around locally administered oncolytic molecules designed to activate the immune system where standard treatments fall short. We explore how Lytix isolated and engineered naturally occurring peptides into drug candidates with clinical momentum, and why this approach differs fundamentally from both traditional cytotoxic agents and oncolytic viruses. The conversation dives into how Lytix’s lead program induces immunogenic cell death, exposes tumor antigens, and initiates a broad immune response that extends beyond the treated lesion. We also discuss the company’s strategic focus on combination and neo-adjuvant settings, its rationale for intratumoral delivery, and how this platform is positioned to address non-responsive solid tumors. A thoughtful discussion for biotech leaders, investors, and partners interested in differentiated immunotherapy platforms and the strategic decisions required to translate novel biology into real clinical relevance.