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ValiRx Animal Health · Comparative oncology

Treating both ends of the leash

We develop first-in-class cancer treatments for companion animals, using science that also sharpens the path to new human therapies.

First-in-class veterinary oncology One Health Ethics first
Wireframe illustration of a dog highlighting target tumour sites

The innovation paradox

We understand cancer better than ever. Developing drugs for it has never been harder.

Promising therapies often fail in human trials because conventional lab models cannot reproduce complex, naturally occurring disease. Comparative oncology closes that gap.

$3bn

Up to $3 billion: the average cost of bringing a single new drug to market

17 yrs

Up to 17 years from initial discovery to regulatory approval

6%

At most 3 to 6% of cancer drugs entering Phase I trials win FDA approval, the lowest of any therapeutic area

Case study: osteosarcoma

One disease. Two species. Shared progress.

Dogs develop cancers naturally, share our homes and environments, and have intact immune systems. Canine osteosarcoma is a near-identical model of the bone cancer that affects children and teenagers.

Canine model

10,000+

cases a year

  • Occurs in middle-aged, high-risk breeds such as Labradors
  • 27 times higher incidence than in humans

The shared biology

  • Same tumour location in the long bones
  • Microscopic spread already present at diagnosis
  • The same key genetic alterations

Human paediatric

~1,000

cases a year

  • A rare, orphan disease
  • Peaks in adolescence

Our pipeline

First-in-class veterinary oncology

Our programmes address unmet clinical needs with approaches not currently available in companion animal medicine.

DiscoveryOptimisationPre-clinicalPhase 1Phase 2Phase 3
Osteosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma
Lymphoma
Leukaemia

Swipe to see the full pipeline →

Who we work with

Built with vets, pet parents and partners

01

Vets and researchers

We partner with veterinary centres to develop patient-derived models from surplus, owner-consented samples, and we are building a clinical research network for future studies in canine osteosarcoma and lymphoma.

02

Pet parents

Pets taking part in future trials gain access to innovative treatments, advanced imaging and specialist care, always with informed owner consent and trials designed around genuine benefit to the patient.

03

Partners

We evaluate, in-license and co-develop oncology assets from universities, biotechs and pharma, giving promising programmes a route into the veterinary market.

Meet the team

The people behind the science

Narrated presentations from our team coming soon
Dr Mark Eccleston
I've seen first-hand how few treatment options exist for pets with cancer, and I'm determined to change that, offering hope for patients and returns for our investors.
Dr Mark EcclestonManaging Director
Michelle Barnard
For me, this only works if it's done ethically, and that's non-negotiable. Get that right, and the science can make a real difference for animals and humans alike.
Michelle BarnardChief Scientific Officer
Melissa Barr
Comparative oncology isn't just about good science. It also means pets and people benefit from the same breakthroughs.
Melissa BarrChief Operating Officer

One Medicine

Medical progress for humans and animals alike, never at the expense of an animal's life.

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