ViGeneron GmbH, a gene therapy company, has announced a global collaboration and licensing agreement with Biogen Inc. to develop and commercialize gene therapy products based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to treat inherited eye diseases.
 
The companies will use ViGeneron’s proprietary vgAAV, novel engineered AAV capsids, to efficiently transduce retinal cells via intravitreal injections.
 
“Gene therapy has become a clinical reality. At ViGeneron, we are dedicated to developing innovative gene therapies to treat diseases with high unmet medical need. This collaboration exemplifies our strategy to develop in-house programs for selected retinal targets, while maximizing our proprietary technology platforms with additional collaboration programs for other targets in ophthalmology and further indications,” said Dr. Caroline Man Xu, co-founder and CEO of ViGeneron. “ViGeneron’s recognized expertise in retinal gene therapy together with Biogen’s leading research, drug development and commercialization experience is a powerful combination that we believe will allow us to deliver more novel gene therapies to patients in need.”
 
Within the collaboration, ViGeneron will optimize and validate in vitro therapeutic candidates for an undisclosed target to treat inherited eye disease. Biogen has the right to add an additional reserved target within two years after the effective date. The companies will work together on the in vivo proof of concept (POC). Biogen will be responsible for all further development and commercialization of the selected therapeutic candidates.
 
ViGeneron will receive from Biogen an upfront payment and R&D funding for the mutually agreed workplan. In addition, ViGeneron will be eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net commercial sales of products arising from the collaboration.