Valion Bio Rebrands, Ticker VBIO, Poised for Nine-Figure BARDA Contract
Valion Bio, formerly Tivic Health Systems, will adopt the ticker VBIO on April 28, 2026, marking its shift to a late-stage biopharmaceutical company. Its lead candidate Entolimod™, backed by over $140 million in development and key FDA designations, targets a nine-figure BARDA procurement contract and oncology supportive care trials.
1. Rebranding and Ticker Update
Valion Bio, previously Tivic Health Systems, will change its corporate name and Nasdaq ticker from TIVC to VBIO effective at the open on April 28, 2026. The CUSIP for the common stock remains unchanged, underscoring continuity in ownership despite the strategic shift.
2. Lead Asset Entolimod Pipeline
Entolimod™, a novel Toll-like receptor 5 agonist with over 15 years and $140 million in cumulative development, holds FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations and advances under the Animal Rule pathway. The company is engaging BARDA and other agencies with the goal of securing a non-dilutive, potentially nine-figure procurement contract, while planning oncology supportive care trials in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
3. Velocity Bioworks Manufacturing Capabilities
Valion Bio’s wholly owned CDMO, Velocity Bioworks, was acquired in December 2025 for $16.3 million to ensure domestic manufacturing security for Entolimod. The subsidiary recently completed a 200-fold scale-up in 50-liter fermentation on time and within budget, and is positioned to serve third-party biotech clients in early-stage biologics manufacturing.
4. Strategic Government Engagement
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Valion Bio leverages proximity to the DoD biodefense ecosystem for its ARS countermeasure program. Allied agencies including BARDA, DTRA and NIAID are evaluating Entolimod for the Strategic National Stockpile, aligning with federal biomanufacturing initiatives and heightened nuclear preparedness demands.