SAN ANTONIO, July 20, 2026
Valion Bio, Inc. has announced a significant clinical development milestone after Sheba Medical Center, one of the world’s leading cancer hospitals and ranked No. 7 globally by Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026, selected its lead investigational therapy Entolimod for an independent clinical trial in cancer patients receiving high-dose radiation therapy. The collaboration marks the first formal clinical evaluation of Entolimod in oncology, expanding the drug’s development beyond its existing focus on Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) under the U.S. FDA Animal Rule. The study is expected to explore Entolimod’s ability to reduce radiation-induced neutropenia, preserve bone marrow function, and protect healthy tissue during cancer treatment. Importantly, Sheba Medical Center will fund and conduct the trial while Valion Bio will provide the investigational therapy and limited study support, creating a highly capital-efficient clinical development pathway. The initiative could open a major commercial opportunity in the rapidly growing supportive oncology market while providing independent clinical validation of Entolimod’s therapeutic potential.
Sheba Medical Center Expands Entolimod Into Oncology
The collaboration establishes a second major development pathway for Entolimod, which has primarily been developed as a medical countermeasure against Acute Radiation Syndrome following radiation exposure. Sheba Medical Center independently approached Valion Bio after recognizing the therapy’s potential to protect healthy tissue and reduce radiation-induced neutropenia, one of the most serious complications experienced by patients undergoing intensive radiation therapy. The investigator-led study will enroll up to 10 adult cancer patients receiving high-dose radiation treatment for rare cancers and will evaluate whether Entolimod can preserve bone marrow activity, reduce severe neutropenia, and improve patients’ ability to complete potentially curative radiation regimens. By funding and managing the trial internally, Sheba provides valuable third-party scientific validation while allowing Valion Bio to generate meaningful clinical data with minimal additional financial investment. The study also demonstrates increasing global interest in developing radioprotective therapies that improve treatment outcomes without compromising cancer therapy effectiveness.
Clinical Milestones Strengthen Precision Oncology Strategy
The planned clinical program introduces several important near-term catalysts for Valion Bio. The company expects Institutional Review Board approval during the third quarter of 2026, followed by first patient enrollment between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. Interim clinical findings are anticipated in early 2027, with topline study results expected later that year. Positive outcomes could significantly expand the commercial value of Entolimod, positioning it within the multi-billion-dollar supportive oncology and neutropenia management market while complementing its ongoing biodefense development program. Entolimod is a first-in-class Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist that has already received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for Acute Radiation Syndrome. The therapy is designed to stimulate protective biological responses that help preserve healthy tissues following radiation exposure, offering potential applications across both emergency preparedness and oncology care.
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Valion Bio Advances Supportive Cancer Care Innovation
The collaboration between Valion Bio and Sheba Medical Center highlights the growing importance of innovative supportive therapies that improve the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatment. As radiation therapy remains a cornerstone of cancer management, reducing complications such as radiation-induced neutropenia has become an important priority for clinicians seeking to maintain treatment intensity while minimizing infection risks and therapy interruptions. Successful clinical development could position Entolimod as a novel supportive care therapy capable of enhancing patient outcomes across multiple oncology settings while expanding Valion Bio’s presence beyond biodefense into precision cancer care. With Sheba Medical Center independently validating the scientific rationale and investing its own resources into the trial, the collaboration strengthens confidence in Entolimod’s future potential. The study represents an important advancement in clinical oncology research, reinforcing the role of innovative immunotherapeutic approaches in improving patient care while creating new opportunities for growth within the global oncology therapeutics market.
Source: Valion Bio, Sheba Medical Center press release
