RICHMOND, Calif., Jan. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sangamo
Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGMO), the leader in therapeutic genome
editing, announces that it has changed its corporate name, from
"Sangamo BioSciences, Inc." to "Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc." Sangamo
common stock will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market under the current ticker symbol: "SGMO." The new corporate
name underscores Sangamo's focus on clinical development of genomic
therapies using the Company's industry-leading platform
technologies across genome editing, gene therapy, gene regulation
and cell therapy.
"Our new name, Sangamo Therapeutics, reflects our commitment to
advance our groundbreaking science into the clinic for the
development of transformative therapies for serious, genetically
tractable diseases," said Sandy
Macrae, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., Sangamo's newly appointed CEO.
"Our scientists are pioneers in their fields, and over the last two
decades, they have developed the most advanced, flexible and
precise tools available for genomic therapies. With new leadership,
a flattened organizational structure, overhauled management
processes and clear direction from our board, Sangamo now has the
focus and capabilities in clinical science and product development
to advance this powerful scientific platform into clinical
development."
Macrae continued: "In 2017, we expect to enroll four clinical
trials for our lead programs developing valuable new therapies for
patients living with hemophilia A and B and lysosomal storage
disorders MPS I and II. We will also work closely with our
collaborator Bioverativ, the planned spin-off of Biogen's
hemophilia business, to advance development of our ZFN-mediated
genome editing programs in two related genetic disorders, sickle
cell disease and beta thalassemia."
Recent accomplishments
- Appointed Sandy Macrae as
president and CEO in June 2016
- Appointed other new senior leaders including a chief medical
officer and head of clinical development, a chief business officer,
as well as heads of technical operations and manufacturing, product
development, and communications. The Company also hired new staff,
expanding capabilities in commercial planning, clinical development
and medical affairs.
- Received acceptance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
of the IND application for the AAV Factor 8 cDNA vector program
(SB-525) in Hemophilia A
- Established new processes for target evaluation and program
progression
- Manufactured and released cGMP materials for all currently
planned clinical trials
- Opened recruitment for SB-FIX Phase 1/2 clinical trial for
treatment of hemophilia B
Priorities and expectations for 2017
- Enroll Phase 1/2 clinical trials for Sangamo's four lead
programs with data expected potentially in late 2017 or early 2018,
once the Company has gathered sufficient quantity of information
from each study to understand clinical relevance:
- Hemophilia A: SB-525, AAV Factor 8 cDNA in vivo gene
therapy
- Hemophilia B: SB-FIX, in vivo genome editing
- Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I: SB-318, in vivo genome
editing
- MPS II: SB-913, in vivo genome editing
- Extend technological advantages of our zinc finger nuclease
(ZFN) platform for genome editing
- Advance novel delivery methods, including lipid nanoparticles,
toward clinical development
- Work closely with collaborator Bioverativ, the planned spin-off
company of Biogen's hemophilia business, on the development of our
ZFN-mediated genome editing programs for two rare blood disorders,
sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia
In line with previously stated guidance, Sangamo expects to
report a year-end 2016 balance of cash and cash equivalents of at
least $140 million, which will fund
the Company's operations beyond the completion of all four Phase
1/2 clinical trials.
Sangamo Therapeutics today has also revealed a new logo and
updated website, www.sangamo.com, reflecting the Company's mission
to translate ground-breaking science into genomic therapies that
transform patients' lives.
Sangamo will be participating in the JP Morgan Healthcare
Conference being held next week in San
Francisco. A presentation at the conference by CEO
Sandy Macrae is scheduled for
Wednesday, January 11th,
2017 at 4:30 pm Pacific Time. A live
webcast of the presentation will be accessible through a link on
the Investors + Media section of the company's website,
www.sangamo.com.
About Sangamo
Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on
translating ground-breaking science into genomic therapies that
transform patients' lives using the company's industry leading
platform technologies in genome editing, gene therapy, gene
regulation and cell therapy. The Company's proprietary zinc finger
nuclease (ZFN) in vivo genome editing approach is being
evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical trials to treat hemophilia B and
lysosomal storage disorders MPS I and MPS II. Sangamo is also
conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate its AAV cDNA
human Factor 8 gene therapy approach, SB-525, to treat hemophilia
A. Sangamo has a strategic collaboration with Bioverativ, the
planned spin-off company of Biogen's hemophilia business, for
hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease and
beta-thalassemia, and with Shire plc to develop therapeutics for
Huntington's disease. In addition, Sangamo has Phase 1/2 and Phase
2 clinical programs in HIV/AIDS (SB-728). It has established
strategic partnerships with companies in non-therapeutic
applications of its technology, including Dow AgroSciences and
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. For more information about Sangamo,
visit the Company's website at www.sangamo.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
based on Sangamo's current expectations. These forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, the research and
development of novel AAV-based gene therapy vectors for
treatment of hemophilia A, therapeutic applications of Sangamo's
ZFP technology platform in hemoglobinopathies and other diseases,
the anticipated timing of IND filing and initiation and completion
of clinical trials, the anticipated timing for release of clinical
trial data, the expected cash balance at the end of 2016, and the
sufficiency of cash resources. Actual results may differ materially
from these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors,
including uncertainties relating to the initiation and completion
of stages of our clinical trials, whether the clinical trials will
validate and support the tolerability and efficacy of ZFNs,
technological challenges, Sangamo's ability to develop commercially
viable products and technological developments by our competitors.
For a more detailed discussion of these and other risks, please see
Sangamo's SEC filings, including the risk factors described in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most recent Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q. Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. assumes no obligation to
update the forward-looking information contained in this press
release.
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SOURCE Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.