Regeneron, Avalanche to develop new gene therapy products in ophthalmology

Under the collaboration, new gene therapy vectors and proprietary molecules will be discovered and developed using the Avalanche Ocular BioFactory, an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based, proprietary, next-generation platform for the discovery and development of gene therapy vectors for ophthalmology.

The deal will see Avalanche receive an upfront cash payment, contingent payments of about $640m upon achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones, plus a royalty on worldwide net sales of collaboration products.

The collaboration covers about eight distinct therapeutic targets, and Regeneron will have exclusive worldwide rights for each product it moves forward in clinical development.

Additionally, Avalanche has the option to share in development costs and profits for products directed toward two collaboration therapeutic targets selected by Avalanche.

Avalanche Biotechnologies co-founder and chief executive officer Thomas Chalberg said, "The collaboration will bring together Avalanche’s novel platform technology with Regeneron’s proprietary molecules and research capabilities, with the goal of creating a new class of next-generation biologics in ophthalmology."

As part of the deal, Regeneron has a time-limited right of first negotiation for certain rights to AVA-101, upon completion of the ongoing Phase IIa trial.

AVA-101, Avalanche’s gene therapy product targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is currently being developed to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Image: Regeneron and Avalanche will discover and develop new gene therapy vectors to treat ophthalmologic diseases. Photo: courtesy of foto76/ freedigitalphotos.net