Biotechs ink gene therapy deal to treat inherited and rare diseases
Oxford BioMedica has teamed up with fellow UK biotech firm Orchard Therapeutics to develop gene therapies for rare diseases.
Orchard will lead the global clinical development and commercialisation of these collaboration programmes in Europe and the US.
Oxford BioMedica has picked up a 1.95 per cent equity stake in Orchard in return and also stands to receive royalties on future sales of collaboration products. Oxford could be in line for a further 1.95 per cent equity stake if performance-related incentives are met.
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“Orchard is a leader in bringing transformative gene therapies to patients with serious and life-threatening orphan diseases and this alliance with Oxford BioMedica increases our ability to potentially address devastating genetic disorders,” said Stewart Craig, Orchard’s chief manufacturing officer.
“Oxford BioMedica has a lot of expertise in the manufacture of lentivirus, and proven experience of working with global pharma companies. We are excited about the potential for this alliance to deliver real patient benefits.”