Everads Therapy, an ophthalmology-focused biotechnology company, entered into a license, collaboration and supply agreement with Kriya Therapeutics, Inc., to advance Kriya’s portfolio of gene therapies for retinal diseases using Everads’ suprachoroidal delivery platform that enables non-surgical delivery to the back of the eye via the suprachoroidal space. The agreement follows a research collaboration between the parties whereby Everads’ platform was evaluated for delivery of the company’s gene therapy candidates in non-human primate models.

Kriya was granted field-based exclusivity for use of Everads’ platform using gene therapy against certain prespecified therapeutic targets including ophthalmic diseases that involve the complement cascade, while Everads retains the right to continue using and/or licensing its technology to other parties for the development of other therapeutic targets using gene therapy, as well as all non-gene therapy applications. Everads received an undisclosed upfront payment and is entitled to receive development milestones and royalties on sales of products using Everads’ platform.

The suprachoroidal space, which is an emerging route of administration for therapies targeting the back of the eye, is the space between the sclera and choroid that circumferentially spans the entire posterior segment of the eye.

According to the company, an increasing number of preclinical and clinical investigations in treating retinal diseases, including via gene therapy, have demonstrated the promise of this route of administration.

“Recent data has shown the promise that the suprachoroidal route of administration has for providing a safe and targeted approach for gene therapy,” said Moshe Weinstein, Everads’ Executive Chairman and CEO. “We are extremely excited to enter into this license agreement after a thorough evaluation of our technology and its applicability for delivery of gene therapy. This agreement is a further validation of the uniqueness of our suprachoroidal delivery technology.”