{"id":17609,"date":"2014-05-05T18:06:44","date_gmt":"2014-05-05T22:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sciencebusiness.technewslit.com\/?p=17609"},"modified":"2016-06-11T12:50:32","modified_gmt":"2016-06-11T16:50:32","slug":"regeneron-avalanche-to-partner-on-eye-disorder-gene-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/technewslit.com\/sciencebusiness\/?p=17609","title":{"rendered":"Regeneron, Avalanche to Partner on Eye Disorder Gene Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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5 May 2014.\u00a0Regeneron Pharmaceuticals<\/a> in Tarrytown, New York is licensing gene therapy technology from Avalanche\u00a0 Biotechnologies<\/a> in Menlo Park, California to develop\u00a0and commercialize new treatments for eye diseases. The value of\u00a0the deal is at least $640 million, but\u00a0not all payment\u00a0amounts\u00a0were disclosed.<\/p>\n

Regeneron is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, cancer, and pain.\u00a0The company is also devising a treatment\u00a0for\u00a0eye diseases involving the growth of abnormal blood vessels and leakage behind the macula, the part of the retina that governs central vision. That therapy, under an agreement\u00a0with Bayer<\/a>, is an injection that controls production\u00a0vascular endothelial growth factor-A, a protein that stimulates growth of blood vessels, but excessive production of the protein is a key factor in diseases of the retina.<\/p>\n

Avalanche’s technology<\/a> delivers therapeutics\u00a0with adeno-associated viruses<\/a>, benign (non-disease causing) viruses carrying genes encoded with a protein that treats age-related macular degeneration<\/a>, a common condition and the leading cause of vision loss for people age 50 and over. The company says\u00a0adeno-associated viruses can treat a variety of cells in the retina and remain stable, providing long-term expression of the proteins being delivered.<\/p>\n

Stability of the proteins, says Avalanche, makes it possible to deliver the therapeutics over an extended period of time, at least 18 months based on preclinical studies. The company has a clinical trial<\/a> underway in Australia of 40 patients with\u00a0age-related macular degeneration testing various doses of its gene therapy against ranibizumab<\/a>, a standard-of-care medication, given by injection into the retina about once a month. The trial is looking primarily at the safety of the treatments, but also reporting any improvements in vision among the patients.<\/p>\n

The agreement\u00a0covers up to eight therapy targets, with\u00a0Regeneron gaining exclusive worldwide rights for each product it advances into clinical trials. Avalanche will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, plus up to $640 million payments keyed to\u00a0certain development and regulatory milestones. In addition, Avalanche will qualify for royalties on net sales of products developed under the collaboration.<\/p>\n

The deal also gives Avalanche an option of selecting two therapy targets, and share with\u00a0Regeneron both development costs and targets. Regeneron receives as well under the deal a time-limited right of first negotiation to Avalanche’s gene therapy product to treat age-related macular degeneration that targets\u00a0 vascular endothelial growth factor.<\/p>\n

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