AbbVie and Capsida Strike $674 Million Gene Therapy Development Deal
AbbVie and Capsida have expanded their existing collaboration to advance three new gene therapy programs.
AbbVie and Capsida Biotherapeutics, a biopharma company specializing in next-generation gene therapy platforms, announced an expanded strategic collaboration on Feb. 23, 2023. Building on a neurodegenerative disease partnership announced in 2021, the expanded partnership will see AbbVie work with Capsida’s novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform to identify and advance three programs.
According to a company press release, Capsida will lead capsid discovery efforts for all programs using its AAV engineering platform and will be responsible for process development and early clinical manufacturing. AbbVie will lead innovative therapeutic cargo approaches and be responsible for development and commercialization.
Per the terms of the agreement, Capsida will receive $79 million upfront. In addition to the upfront payment, Capsida is eligible for an additional $595 contingent on option fees and achievement of various research and development milestones. Should any therapies reach commercialization, Capsida is also eligible for further payments and low double-digit royalties.
“This expanded collaboration with Capsida has the potential to develop transformative therapies for patients with serious eye diseases,” said Jonathon Sedgwick, vice-president and global head of discovery research, AbbVie. “In pursuing the promise of genetic medicine-based therapeutics, AbbVie continues to expand our capabilities, and we are pleased to have Capsida as a partner.”
“AbbVie has been an excellent partner, and we are excited to expand our collaboration into ophthalmology with the world leader in this therapeutic area,” said Peter Anastasiou, CEO, Capsida, in the release. “Combining AbbVie’s expertise in eye disease drug development and commercialization with Capsida’s fully integrated next-generation AAV engineering platform and manufacturing capabilities offers the potential to provide novel therapies enabling unprecedented benefit to patients with serious eye diseases.”
Source: Capsida
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