Rentschler Biopharma joins forces with Ikarovec to accelerate novel gene therapies
Ikarovec is developing novel gene therapies to treat serious, but common eye diseases
Rentschler Biopharma SE and Ikarovec, which is developing novel multicistronic gene therapies to treat major ophthalmic indications, announced that the two companies have entered into a collaboration. Under the agreement, Rentschler Biopharma’s ATMP site in Stevenage, UK, will support the bioprocess development of AAV material for planned pre-clinical testing of Ikarovec’s novel gene therapy for the treatment of geographic atrophy. This condition is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration that can result in the progressive and irreversible destruction of retinal tissue, which can lead to loss of vision over time.
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Dr. Katie Binley, Chief Scientific Officer of Ikarovec, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Rentschler Biopharma on our lead program. As we look to find new and better ways to treat ophthalmic diseases, we want to get it right and ensure that our product candidates can be scaled up appropriately for each development stage and, ultimately, for commercialization. Thus, it is critical to work with a team that has strong AAV experience in our field and that will be a true partner every step of the way.”
Dr. Robert Panting, General Manager of Rentschler’s ATMP business, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Ikarovec, which is developing truly innovative treatments for major ophthalmic indications. With our client-focused, highly tailored approach, our seasoned team will work closely with Ikarovec scientists to enable them to move forward into pre-clinical testing as rapidly as possible. By laying the foundation with process development and scale-up work, we aim to ultimately improve development timelines and increase the chances of success for our clients, who are working tirelessly to advance potentially groundbreaking treatments.”
Rentschler Biopharma is set up to offer a full range of services for the clinical supply of AAV, including bioprocess development through to cGMP manufacturing at their Stevenage facility in the UK. The company’s experienced, multi-faceted team takes a holistic approach, looking at a program from concept through to market, while a highly flexible business model is able to effectively address each client’s specific needs. Continuing Rentschler Biopharma’s well-established practice, the company works to be a true partner to entrepreneurial players to enable them to transform their ideas into real products with the potential to treat and even cure patients with serious and life-threatening diseases.
Dr. Christian Schetter, Chief Scientific Officer of Rentschler Biopharma, added: “With Rentschler Biopharma’s ATMP offering, we aim to address an important gap in specific support for innovative, early-stage cell and gene therapy programs. Ikarovec and its novel candidate are a perfect fit for our services. Understanding the needs of early start-up companies for robust and tailored CMC processes integrated optimally into the overall development plan, we collaborate closely with our clients as true partners and handle their projects as if they were our own. Thereby, our focus lies on constantly optimizing our latest service offering for AAV to complement their needs. By creating value sustainably, across the entire biopharmaceutical value chain, we are committed to enabling our clients to bring truly innovative therapies to patients.”
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