New Zealand drug developer and manufacturer Virionyx has changed its name to Innate Therapeutics as it begins a big push with its new immune therapy drug.

The Auckland-based company is due to start Phase 1 trials on its immune response drug, MIS416, which the company believes helps the immune system fight diseases such as cancer.

Chief executive Simon Wilkinson says studies had shown the drug could significantly reduce the number and size of metastatic breast cancers and lung cancers.