CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) has entered into a license agreement granting Calimmune Inc. rights to AskBio’s Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) gene therapy technologies. Calimmune, a gene therapy company focused on enhancing patients’ immune systems to defeat disease, plans to utilize these technologies in a forthcoming Phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a potential gene therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Currently over 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a chronic, degenerative disease of the joints, which is incurable and difficult to treat.
Under the terms of the agreement, Calimmune obtains commercial rights to the use of AskBio’s advanced AAV-based gene vector delivery, self-complementary, and manufacturing technologies and know-how. Specific financial terms are undisclosed; generally the agreement involves AskBio receiving an upfront payment, future payments upon completion of certain development and commercial milestones, and a potential related product royalty.
“AskBio is pleased to have our technology support the possibility to positively affect innovative solutions for patients with obvious unmet need. AskBio’s gene delivery and manufacturing technologies provide an unparalleled opportunity for companies who desire entering the gene therapy space with the most advanced and broadest technological options possible. With over a decade of commercial licensing and partnering in gene therapy, AskBio technology is supporting over a dozen active INDs, and this transaction further solidifies our goal of becoming the AAV technological standard of excellence,” said Jade Samulski, MPM, Vice President.
“Calimmune is developing a rich pipeline of therapeutic candidates that strengthen patients’ immunity to treat chronic and currently incurable diseases,” said Louis Breton, chief executive officer of Calimmune. “Our collaboration with AskBio provides added strength to our extensive technology arsenal as we seek to address the unique needs of individuals with osteoarthritis.”
About Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc:
AskBio is a private biotechnology company engaged in the clinical development of novel gene therapies for a broad diversity of diseases with unmet or underserved patient needs. AskBio is currently developing proprietary gene-delivery technologies for therapeutics, targeting diseases in the heart, CNS, muscle, ocular and liver tissues. For additional information, visit AskBio's website at http://www.askbio.com.
About Calimmune Inc.:
Calimmune Inc. is a clinical-stage international gene therapy company developing novel treatments that have the potential to improve and protect the lives of patients by enhancing their immune system. Calimmune’s lead therapeutic candidate CAL-1, now in Phase I/II studies, is being evaluated as a one-time treatment for HIV/AIDS. The company is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with labs and branch offices in Pasadena, California and Sydney, Australia.