Valion Bio's interim CEO outlines 30-day plan for Entolimod and Velocity Bioworks

Valion Bio, Inc. disclosed in an October 21, 2026 Form 8-K that Interim Chief Executive Officer Dean Zikria completed a 30-day assessment of the company, setting an agenda around three areas: advancing the development of Entolimod and other pipeline assets, pursuing customer and revenue capabilities for Velocity Bioworks, the company's wholly owned contract development and manufacturing organization, and evaluating strategic partnerships, co-investment structures, licensing deals, or other transactions for Velocity.¹

Entolimod, the company's lead biologic candidate for Acute Radiation Syndrome, is described as a drug designed to activate innate immune pathways and is being investigated for its potential to protect cells and tissues against severe radiation-induced injury in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings.¹ Valion said the program has drawn approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive funding from U.S. government agencies to date, and holds FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for ARS.¹

Development efforts include a gastrointestinal radiation injury study with the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute under a Department of War-funded program, an oral mucosal formulation developed with Shear Kershman Laboratories using its BioViscid platform, and work with Sheba Medical Center toward a trial in cancer patients receiving high-dose radiation, according to the filing.

The company also said it is advancing Entolasta, described as a next-generation Toll-like receptor 5 agonist being developed for potential therapeutic applications, including oncology supportive care.¹ Regarding Entolimod's licensing, Valion said it holds an exclusive, worldwide license from Statera Biopharma to develop and commercialize Entolimod for ARS, radiation-induced neutropenia, and other indications.¹