It has proved to be a lackluster summer for the biopharmaceutical sector, with the BioWorld Biopharmaceutical index dropping about 2% in value during the past two months, in contrast to the general markets that have enjoyed a much stronger period.
Carmine Therapeutics Inc. said Tuesday that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has engaged it in a research collaboration aimed at the discovery, development and commercialization of new nonviral gene therapies for two rare disease targets.
Shares of Sweden-based Hansa Biopharma AB (NASDAQ:HNSA) jumped 32.7% to SEK53.90 (US$5.81) on July 2 as Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. became the first partner to license its lead asset, imlifidase, to enable gene therapies to treat muscular dystrophy patients harboring neutralizing antibodies to the adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors the medicines employ.
CSL Behring has licensed global rights to Uniqure NV's late-stage hemophilia B gene therapy candidate, AMT-061, for $450 million up front, plus up to $1.6 billion in potential milestone payments and royalties. Uniqure positioned the deal as a boon for its broader gene therapies pipeline, anchored by a Huntington's disease (HD) program. But the move appeared to sour investors hoping for a rumored near-term M&A takeout, sending company shares (NASDAQ:QURE) falling 21.8% to $49.22 on June 25.
Carmine Therapeutics Inc. said Tuesday that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has engaged it in a research collaboration aimed at the discovery, development and commercialization of new nonviral gene therapies for two rare disease targets. Terms of the deal included an up-front payment of undisclosed value for Carmine, plus research funding, and more than $900 million in potential milestone payments.
DUBLIN – Gene therapy developer Freeline Therapeutics Ltd. added $80 million in new investment to take its series C round to $120 million in total. The new cash will help to fund a pivotal trial of its lead gene therapy program in hemophilia B, enable it to continue a phase I/II trial of a gene therapy in Fabry disease and allow it to progress its preclinical programs in Gaucher disease and hemophilia A, while also making ongoing investments in its adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy technology and its manufacturing platform.
A pair of upsized IPOs packed away cash by way of identical terms, with Boston-based Akouos Inc. and Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Hamilton, Ontario, separately selling 12.5 million shares at $17 each for $212.5 million in gross proceeds.
CSL Behring has licensed global rights to Uniqure NV's late-stage hemophilia B gene therapy candidate, AMT-061, for $450 million up front, plus up to $1.6 billion in potential milestone payments and royalties. Uniqure positioned the deal as a boon for its broader gene therapies pipeline, anchored by a Huntington's disease (HD) program. But the move appeared to sour investors hoping for a rumored near-term M&A takeout, sending company shares (NASDAQ:QURE) falling 21.8% to $49.22 on June 25. Despite the market reception, analyst reaction was largely supportive of the move, embracing CSL as a natural fit for the program and, in the words of SVB Leerink analyst Joseph Schwartz, appreciating the transfer of "any potential remaining risk in hemophilia B to CSL Behring as QURE rings the cash register."
BEIJING – Rare disease specialist Canbridge Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Beijing, said it is collaborating with the Horae Gene Therapy Center at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School to conduct gene therapy research with a focus on neuromuscular conditions.
BEIJING – Rare disease specialist Canbridge Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Beijing, said it is collaborating with the Horae Gene Therapy Center at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School to conduct gene therapy research with a focus on neuromuscular conditions. The move is expected to add new assets to the company’s portfolio.
