Vertex & Arbor Biotechnologies Establish Collaboration to Discover Novel Proteins to Advance Discovery of Gene-Editing Therap...
January 03 2019 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
-Multi-year research collaboration funded by
Vertex using Arbor’s proprietary research platform to enhance
efforts in developing gene-editing therapies in five diseases-
-Arbor to receive up-front cash payment and
convertible note investment, research funding, and potential for
additional milestones and royalty payments-
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) and Arbor
Biotechnologies (Arbor) today announced that the two companies have
entered into a strategic research collaboration focused on the
discovery of novel proteins including DNA endonucleases to advance
the development of new gene-editing therapies for cystic fibrosis
and four other diseases to be selected later. Arbor has developed a
protein biodiscovery platform that includes a comprehensive set of
technologies and techniques, integrating machine learning, genome
sequencing, gene synthesis, and high-throughput screening that will
augment Vertex’s efforts to develop gene-editing approaches for the
treatment of serious diseases.
“Our strategy of developing transformative medicines for serious
diseases is based on addressing causal human biology with
innovative therapeutics,” said David Altshuler, M.D., Ph.D.,
Executive Vice President, Global Research and Chief Scientific
Officer of Vertex. “Arbor’s proprietary high-throughput screening
platform will enhance our ongoing efforts to develop innovative
gene-editing therapies.”
“Vertex has a proven track record in discovering and developing
innovative medicines and is an ideal partner for Arbor,” said David
Walt, Ph.D, Arbor Co-Founder. “We believe that by using our
powerful biodiscovery platform we will be able to identify
complementary and next generation tools to enhance Vertex’s
pipeline of transformative medicines and new gene-editing
therapies.”
About the CollaborationUnder the terms of the
collaboration, scientists from Vertex and Arbor will work closely
together to discover novel proteins and tools that Vertex may use
in the development of new medicines. The focus of the collaboration
is to discover novel programmable DNA endonucleases or nickases
with high fidelity and catalytic activity as well as novel
transduction approaches. Discovery activities will be conducted
primarily by Arbor and funded by Vertex.
Vertex will provide Arbor with an up-front cash commitment, fund
research activities, and will pay research, development,
regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on
future net sales.
Vertex will also make an investment in Arbor in the form of a
convertible note and obtain an observer seat on the Arbor Board of
Directors.
About VertexVertex is a global biotechnology company that
invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines
for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. In addition
to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a
dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying
mechanisms of other serious diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's headquarters is
now located in Boston's Innovation District. Today, the company has
research and development sites and commercial offices in the United
States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America. Vertex is
consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to
work, including being named to Science magazine's Top Employers in
the life sciences ranking for nine years in a row.
For additional information and the latest updates from the
company, please visit www.vrtx.com.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis
press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including,
without limitation, Dr. Altshuler’s statements in the second
paragraph of the press release, Dr. Walt’s statements in the third
paragraph of the press release, and statements regarding future
activities of the parties pursuant to the collaboration. While
Vertex believes the forward-looking statements contained in this
press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements
represent Vertex's beliefs only as of the date of this press
release and there are a number of factors that could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include,
among other things, Vertex may not realize the anticipated benefits
of the collaboration, and the other risks listed under Risk Factors
in Vertex's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and available through the
company's website at www.vrtx.com. Vertex disclaims any obligation
to update the information contained in this press release as new
information becomes available.
About Arbor BiotechnologiesArbor Biotechnologies is an
early-stage company pushing the boundaries of biodiscovery. Based
in Cambridge, MA, Arbor is unlocking nature’s genetic diversity to
create transformative products in human health and sustainability.
Arbor’s proprietary platform integrates a computational search
engine with high-throughput experimental capabilities to enable
both rapid protein characterization and product generation.
For more information, visit www.arbor.bio.
(VRTX-GEN)
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190103005194/en/
Vertex Contacts:Investors:Michael Partridge,
617-341-6108Eric Rojas, 617-961-7205Zach Barber,
617-341-6470Media:617-341-6992mediainfo@vrtx.comArbor
Contacts:Kelly Friendly, 650-387-0042
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