CombiGene asks UK CGT Catapult to help make epilepsy gene therapy for trials
The collaboration – financial terms of which were not disclosed – will see CGT Catapult researchers create production processes that will be used to make supplies of the therapy for clinical trials.
CG01 consists of neuropeptide y (NPY) – a neurotransmitter involved in central and peripheral nervous systems - and NPY receptors that are delivered direct to the brain using viral vectors.
It has shown efficacy at preventing epileptic seizures in a preclinical study. CombiGene has also conducted research confirming that the therapeutic genes encoded by CG01 are expressed in human tissues after delivery.
A CGT spokesperson told us "The initial project will enable CGT Catapult to build a strong understanding of the current CombiGene process and make recommendations on a subsequent development programme that can contribute to mitigating the risk of manufacturing or regulatory approval and accelerate the program to First In Human clinical studies."
He also confirms that "This is a commercial contract," but did not provide details.
Partnership
Partnering with UK-based CGT Catapult was the ideal approach for a small biotech developer according to CombiGene’s chairman, Arne Ferstad.
“CombiGene is a small gene therapy company, and from a financial and funding point of view, the step-by-step approach is very attractive for us,” he said.
This was echoed by CEO Jan Nilsson, who said, “CGT Catapult is highly renowned for its cutting-edge competence and state-of-the-art infrastructure for advanced therapeutic medicinal products.
“We evaluated several potential collaborators, and we could not have chosen a better partner” he added.
