Biogen and Capsigen Announce Collaboration to Discover and Develop Novel AAV Capsids for Targeted CNS and Neuromuscular Disor...
May 10 2021 - 4:06PM
Biogen and Capsigen Announce Collaboration to Discover and Develop
Novel AAV Capsids for Targeted CNS and Neuromuscular Disorders
Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Capsigen Inc. announced today
that they have entered into a strategic research collaboration to
engineer novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids that have the
potential to deliver transformative gene therapies that address the
underlying genetic causes of various CNS and neuromuscular
disorders.
As a part of the collaboration, Capsigen’s proprietary TRADE™
platform and associated technologies will be utilized with the aim
to create and identify novel AAV capsids tailored to meet
disease-specific transduction profiles. Capsids are the protein
coat that protects and facilitates delivery of the virus’ genetic
payload into host cells. The collaboration will leverage Capsigen’s
capsid engineering expertise and Biogen’s discovery, development,
manufacturing and commercialization capabilities with the goal to
accelerate delivery of gene therapies to patients in need.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to solve key technological
challenges in the delivery of gene therapies to target tissues. One
of our priorities for technology innovation is the discovery of AAV
capsids with improved delivery profiles,” said Alfred Sandrock,
Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Head of Research and Development at Biogen. “We
are investing for the long-term by building platform capabilities
and advanced manufacturing technologies with the goal of
accelerating our efforts in gene therapy.”“At Capsigen, we believe
the next revolution in gene therapy will be driven by engineered
AAV capsids designed to meet disease-specific transduction
profiles,” said John Bial, Chief Executive Officer. “Biogen is a
leader in neuroscience, and we are excited for the opportunity to
work with them to potentially bring new treatments to patients.
This collaboration is consistent with our strategy to work with
world-class companies to develop the next generation of gene
therapies.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Capsigen will apply its vector
engineering approaches to develop novel capsids designed to meet
highly customized, disease-specific transduction profiles. Biogen
will receive an exclusive license under Capsigen’s proprietary
technology for an undisclosed number of CNS and neuromuscular
disease targets. Capsigen will receive a $15 million upfront
payment and is eligible to receive up to $42 million in potential
research milestones and up to an additional $1.25 billion in
potential development and commercial payments should the
collaboration programs achieve certain developmental milestones and
sales thresholds. Capsigen is also eligible to receive royalties on
future net sales of products that incorporate capsids resulting
from the collaboration.
About Biogen At Biogen, our mission is clear:
we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and
delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with
serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as
related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global
biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles
Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners
Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today Biogen has the leading
portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced
the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy,
commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics and is focused on
advancing research programs in multiple sclerosis and
neuroimmunology, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuromuscular
disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry,
immunology, acute neurology and neuropathic pain.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors
on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media –
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
About CapsigenAt Capsigen, we’re developing the
next generation of AAV vectors to fuel the gene therapy needs of
the future. Our end-to-end platform employs customized, highly
diverse libraries using the most clinically relevant models and
routes of administration. Our proprietary TRADE™ technology
eliminates background and employs novel selection strategies to
identify only those vectors which are fully functional and meet the
disease-specific transduction criteria of interest. The final
results are fit-for-purpose vectors designed to deliver the highest
level of clinical utility in a rapid and high-throughput
manner.
Biogen Safe HarborThis news release contains
forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, relating to the potential benefits and results
that may be achieved through Biogen’s collaboration with Capsigen;
the potential benefits of Capsigen’s TRADE platform; the potential
of Biogen’s commercial business and pipeline programs; Biogen’s
strategy and plans; the potential treatment of neurological and
neurodegenerative diseases; and risks and uncertainties associated
with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking
statements may be accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,”
“may,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would” and other
words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and
commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small
number of research and development programs result in
commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical
trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later
stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory
approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements
or the scientific data presented.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in
such statements, including without limitation, uncertainty as to
whether the anticipated benefits of the collaboration can be
achieved; risks of unexpected costs or delays or other unexpected
hurdles; uncertainty of success in the development of potential
gene therapies, which may be impacted by, among other things,
unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or
analysis, the occurrence of adverse safety events, failure to
obtain regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions, failure to
protect and enforce data, intellectual property and other
proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual
property claims and challenges; the direct and indirect impacts of
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Biogen’s business, results of
operations and financial condition; product liability claims; and
third party collaboration risks. The foregoing sets forth many, but
not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ
from Biogen’s expectations in any forward-looking statement.
Investors should consider this cautionary statement as well as the
risk factors identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly
report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on
Biogen’s current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the
date of this news release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
BIOGEN MEDIA
CONTACT: David Caouette Biogen Inc. Tel: (781) 464-3260 |
BIOGEN
INVESTOR CONTACT: Mike Hencke Biogen Inc. Tel: (781) 464-2442 |
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CAPSIGEN CONTACT:Charlie KangChief Business OfficerTel: (720)
295-8142media@capsigen.com |
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